Venezia to close its doors!

Jim O'Bryan · Post by **Jim O'Bryan** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 9:22 am

Dear Friends:

I regret to announce that Venezia will cease operation in few weeks.

I cannot express my gratitude for the wonderful 1year 1/2 year of patronage you have given me. As you know I have always considered my restaurant more than a business and my patrons more than customers.

Venezia is both a neighborhood institution and a piece of Lakewood. Many of you have become my friends and, some, even members of my extended family. I will never forget the great times you have afforded me.

You will have left me with the fondest memories of the happiest of times, when I played host to the most of you.

Until I see you again, Peace Be With you.

The chef will assesse his options somewhere else.

chef Moha Orchid

.

David Lay · Post by **David Lay** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 1:47 pm

There's a new cafe going in:

http://tinyurl.com/69swky

Ivor Karabatkovic · Post by **Ivor Karabatkovic** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 1:55 pm

The new restaurant sounds really interesting. I'll definitely check it out if the city doesn't scare it away before it opens.

Phil Florian · Post by **Phil Florian** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 4:05 pm

Ivor Karabatkovic wrote:The new restaurant sounds really interesting. I'll definitely check it out if the city doesn't scare it away before it opens.

To be fair, the restaurant did it to itself. As food goes, it was delish. As for service, it was bleh. To put this on the shoulders of a city who doesn't necessarily have all the money in the world as individuals to support quirky but slow product is kind of silly. It wasn't a good match for the location, type of food, type of setting and type of service. We do well with cool and diverse food, though. The Indian restaurant still looks like a hit and La Pita always seems to do brisk business. Orchid found a cult following but that doesn't pay the bills. Maybe his next place will be a better fit wherever it lands.

Ivor Karabatkovic · Post by **Ivor Karabatkovic** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 10:17 pm

Phil,

read my post over again. Did I ever mention Venezia, it's bad service, or that the city drove Venezia out?

Take the time to read instead of jumping to your own conclusions.

Dee Martinez · Post by **Dee Martinez** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 11:06 pm

Phil Florian wrote: Orchid found a cult following but that doesn't pay the bills. Maybe his next place will be a better fit wherever it lands.

Sounds like the fellow is a great chef but a lousy operator. Not every chef was meant to own his own restaurant. He will probably be more successful working for someone than running the show himself.
Anyway in reaction to the Scene article, I dont consider myself a total hick and I dont know anyplace where lousy service "creates a buzz"

Justine Cooper · Post by **Justine Cooper** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 5:50 am

To be honest I don't remember hearing anything about this restaurant, good or bad, or advertisements about who they were. Maybe I missed it all. The Beer Engine and Melt came to Lakewood with a great following and seem to to be doing wonderful. The new cafe with hormone free burgers and healthy options and local ingredients should be a huge hit!

Brad Hutchison · Post by **Brad Hutchison** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 10:45 am

Justine Cooper wrote:The new cafe with hormone free burgers and healthy options and local ingredients should be a huge hit!

I agree. That concept should play well in Lakewood.

Kate McCarthy · Post by **Kate McCarthy** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 11:50 am

There was a Cafe 56 downtown several years ago that was excellent and everyone in my office was sad to see it go. Hopefully the new cafe will have similar food because there is really nothing quite like it in Lakewood now.

Phil Florian · Post by **Phil Florian** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 3:27 pm

This new place sounds great. It is nice to see it opening so quickly, too. Must be a nice location to garner a quick turn around. Compared to, say, the Party Station location which still has "for rent" signs even though I thought it was a done deal.

Jeff Endress · Post by **Jeff Endress** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 3:40 pm

Phil

I'm not certain, but I think that the renovation of the Party Store can't/won't begin until the lease for the Music store and Olga's is up. The rental signs may just be for potential subleases for the completed project...or maybe it imploded.

Jeff

Phil Florian · Post by **Phil Florian** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 11:54 am

Jeff Endress wrote:Phil

I'm not certain, but I think that the renovation of the Party Store can't/won't begin until the lease for the Music store and Olga's is up. The rental signs may just be for potential subleases for the completed project...or maybe it imploded.

Jeff

Whoa, the music store is going away, too??? Aiiee!! I gotta get that capo I was needing before time runs out.

sharon kinsella · Post by **sharon kinsella** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 1:03 pm

I'm really sorry to see Olga's go. So many of my friends bought beautiful christening outfits there.

They have beautiful and beautifully made baby clothes there and I love driving by and seeing the window display.

Bill Call · Post by **Bill Call** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 4:58 pm

sharon kinsella wrote:I'm really sorry to see Olga's go. So many of my friends bought beautiful christening outfits there.

They have beautiful and beautifully made baby clothes there and I love driving by and seeing the window display.

If Olga's and the music store are closing because the new owners need the space perhaps the City could offer "relocation assistance" to another store front. Perhaps on Madison East of Bunts.

I've heard the new owners intend to demolish the front portion of the building and put in an outdoor eating area. Sounds like nice idea to me.

Brad Hutchison · Post by **Brad Hutchison** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 7:50 pm

Which music store? I'm lost geographically.