Plaza III, Cafe Carmon close 2009

[thekillingwax]

What was the original place there (Adam's Mark era) called?  It was Italian & the wait staff would walk around & break into song & serenade the diners.  I liked the concept.

I think it was Bravo or something like that. Ate dinner there once, didn't know what I was getting into and it was a little strange.

[thelakelander]

Yes, that place was called Bravo! Ristorante.

[ProjectMaximus]

I am sure something will open there. The Hyatt location is a great location for a restaurant. If they had to shut down all their restaurants but two, then their business model needs retooling.
I never went there. Were they overpriced? I have been to Ruths Chris once, but my favorite place is Chart House on the Southbank. As long as that place stays, then I am happy.

Have you tried moon river pizza? I think you'd like it, Dan.

[ProjectMaximus]

Oh yeah! Bravo. A few times I've sat around trying to remember the name of that place, too. I went once, and remember the food was good but the portions a little meager. I had a salad and it was served with one gigantic piece of lettuce, one long carrot, a large crouton, etc...I think I was supposed to cut everything up myself. Then the soup came in this huge bowl, which was sweet til I realized the bowl was only about two centimeters deep. It was designed to look like a bowl, but was actually very shallow. But, again, it was good food, nice entertainment, and the girlfriend's parents were treating us. Ahh, good ol days.

[brainstormer]

Regarding Plaza III...I'm usually against chains, but I think a moderately priced chain with quality food and an outstanding reputation would be great for downtown.  I'm thinking Cheesecake Factory or Cheeseburger in Paradise; something along those lines.  We need a few places with name recognition downtown to draw people back to the core and while here, they will have the chance to explore the rest of the area.

[copperfiend]

Interesting Stephen that the restaraunt was sold - I'm curious what they will do.

Regarding Plaza III - it's price point was higher than Outback, but less than Morton's/Ruth's Chris (however closer to Ruth's Chris), and the quality was in between Outback, and Morton's/Ruth's Chris (but closer to Outback IMO).  My feeling is that if I'm going out to spend more than outback prices, I'm going to go out for something real nice, and I'd rather Ruth's Chris.

Something will go in the spot (966 room hotel, and the it does get SOME traffic), but I think something at a lower price point than Plaza III would be better.

Maybe they should just open an Outback there.

[BridgeTroll]

What was the original place there (Adam's Mark era) called?  It was Italian & the wait staff would walk around & break into song & serenade the diners.  I liked the concept.

I ate there twice during that time... It was kinda fun!

[Steve]

Maybe they should just open an Outback there.

Not that I'm a huge chain fan, but I think it would actually do well there.

[fsujax]

I would love an Outback there!

[ChriswUfGator]

I am sure something will open there. The Hyatt location is a great location for a restaurant. If they had to shut down all their restaurants but two, then their business model needs retooling.
I never went there. Were they overpriced? I have been to Ruths Chris once, but my favorite place is Chart House on the Southbank. As long as that place stays, then I am happy.

Have you tried moon river pizza? I think you'd like it, Dan.

ROFL

Now that's just mean...

[urbanlibertarian]

My one experience at Plaza III was not good.

I wouldn't expect to see an Outback in a Hyatt hotel.  Maybe something more upscale like Golden Corral.

[TheProfessor]

California Pizza Kitchen would be my pick, but not the usual hotel fare.  I think they need something New American with a trendy edge and nice bar that would attract those alcholics from the new entertainment district on Bay Street and the Baptist Church =)

[mtraininjax]

Maybe they should just open an Outback there.

Carrabba's or Red Lobster would do just fine for Jacksonville. So far the restaurants are 0 for 2 down there, 3 strikes and it gets turned into an exercise room.

[urbanlibertarian]

That's not really a good location for a restaurant that needs to attract customers other than hotel guests to turn a profit.  I would think that in order to be successful there you'd have to be able to ramp up or scale back the operation quickly to match hotel occupancy so that your costs would be low when business is slow.

[BridgeTroll]

Of course that would all be solved by putting the convention center where the courthouse and giant parking lot on the river are.  Oh look... we dont need the Prime Osborne to be a convention center anymore...  My oh my... whatever to do with a structure like that.  What on earth could it possibly be???