Read this on fbook. Any truth?
Where on facebook?
Friend who is there eating.
The restaurant was bought by the same ownership group as Bistro Aix and Ovinte. Supposedly a new concept will open in the space.
Quote from: fieldafm on April 26, 2015, 02:50:53 PM
The restaurant was bought by the same ownership group as Bistro Aix and Ovinte. Supposedly a new concept will open in the space.
If it is like either one of those two places you won't be seeing me there.
That's the rumor floating around. Owners aren't talking, but something is clearly going on.
Such a nice space..too bad the food was way under par. Ill welcome anything different..maybe finally a true local steakhouse.
Thought it was ok, nothing fantastic. I think the space itself was just too dang big for that type of establishment.
Meh, something better will move in. Their pizza's were the worst in the area, so it's no surprise. Other pizza spots offer much more flavor for the buck. The space deserves a better / nicer restaurant.
Just went by there while delivering the mail. Sign in the window states Pele is closed for repair, remodel, maintenance.
Sorry for the owners, but I saw this coming the day they opened...
Another upscale option would be nice. One can only go to Orsay/13 Gypsies/Bistro Aix so many times.
Their happy hour was great and they have a good beer selection but the food was always hit or miss and the price didn't seem to match the quality. Last time I was there for brunch and my girlfriend ordered Eggs Benedict, they failed to properly poach the eggs twice.
I haven't tried Ovinte yet but Bistro Aix has always been good so I'm looking forward to the change.
Went there for lunch on Saturday. Our waiter said the original investor backed out, another investor came forward and then backed out. Nothing is currently in the works for this place.
Quote from: InnerCityPressure on April 27, 2015, 02:12:26 PM
One can only go to Orsay/13 Gypsies/Bistro Aix so many times.
....and any number of other venues.Compounded by relative "Hassle Factor/Parking"
Recently I was at The Brick with a customer for lunch. I have been patronizing the corner since Partners. At the lunch meeting attentive manager singled me out: "Don't Be A Stranger!"
I replied that what I do is,make two,maybe three Park Search passes,I will not park in the neighborhoods,as a matter of respect,honor.And on the final pass-shucks,just go home to plenty of good food and drink and nice setting,toss $75 cash in a jar.(Management nods affirmatively)
This can evolve to actually looking forward to jar deposit- it adds up quickly,and funds all sorts of outstanding venue alternative.
I so looked forward to Pele true wood fire ,but after four visits,something sputters. Perhaps it's the images of former Pharmacy Braces,Tire Store and current insipid attempts at sidewalk seating?
Quote from: Know Growth on April 27, 2015, 09:35:11 PM
Quote from: InnerCityPressure on April 27, 2015, 02:12:26 PM
One can only go to Orsay/13 Gypsies/Bistro Aix so many times.
....and any number of other venues.Compounded by relative "Hassle Factor/Parking"
Recently I was at The Brick with a customer for lunch. I have been patronizing the corner since Partners. At the lunch meeting attentive manager singled me out: "Don't Be A Stranger!"
I replied that what I do is,make two,maybe three Park Search passes,I will not park in the neighborhoods,as a matter of respect,honor.And on the final pass-shucks,just go home to plenty of good food and drink,toss $75 cash in a jar.(Management nods affirmatively)
This can evolve to actually looking forward to jar deposit- it adds up quickly,and funds all sorts of outstanding venue alternative.
I so looked forward to Pele true wood fire ,but after four visits,something sputters. Perhaps it's the images of former Pharmacy Braces,Tire Store and current insipid attempts at sidewalk seating?
Cool story.
Quote from: Know Growth on April 27, 2015, 09:35:11 PM
Quote from: InnerCityPressure on April 27, 2015, 02:12:26 PM
One can only go to Orsay/13 Gypsies/Bistro Aix so many times.
....and any number of other venues.Compounded by relative "Hassle Factor/Parking"
Recently I was at The Brick with a customer for lunch. I have been patronizing the corner since Partners. At the lunch meeting attentive manager singled me out: "Don't Be A Stranger!"
I replied that what I do is,make two,maybe three Park Search passes,I will not park in the neighborhoods,as a matter of respect,honor.And on the final pass-shucks,just go home to plenty of good food and drink and nice setting,toss $75 cash in a jar.(Management nods affirmatively)
This can evolve to actually looking forward to jar deposit- it adds up quickly,and funds all sorts of outstanding venue alternative.
I so looked forward to Pele true wood fire ,but after four visits,something sputters. Perhaps it's the images of former Pharmacy Braces,Tire Store and current insipid attempts at sidewalk seating?
I sincerely wish I knew what you are saying.
Heard last night on the King Street strip that the new owners only kept 1 bartender, 1 member of the kitchen, 1 server and 1 chef, they fired all the others. So cleaning house, we also heard the menu will be more upscale, kind of like an Orsay, but just a bit below that, so King Street is moving up.
Quote from: mtraininjax on April 28, 2015, 08:15:27 AM
Heard last night on the King Street strip that the new owners only kept 1 bartender, 1 member of the kitchen, 1 server and 1 chef, they fired all the others. So cleaning house, we also heard the menu will be more upscale, kind of like an Orsay, but just a bit below that, so King Street is moving up.
Re-branding, too, I assume?
I would like that, but curious about the staff that will pull it off. If it's the same crew from Pele's, I question their ability to pull it off. With them all the best, though.
Pele's was a small profit operation, owned by the same person who owns the Armada. Perhaps when the Armada came "on line" he decided to
invest his time in that and move on from the restaurant business. They had a steady loyal clientele. The owner never properly advertised
Pele's IMO. Despite that they served quite a bit of food and drink. No matter what happens, the space is much improved and the neighborhood is way better off than when it was a broken old Pharmacy.
QuoteThe owner never properly advertised Pele's IMO.
They had a paid PR person, which is way more than most restaurants have.
QuoteIf it's the same crew from Pele's, I question their ability to pull it off.
This has always been the problem at Pele's. There were serious staffing issues that consistently never got fixed. All the advertising in the world won't fix bad customer experiences over a long period of time.
I very much liked the food (and the occasional beer dinners).
Hate to see anyone lose jobs but I hope they can do something a bit better. Had Pele's a few times and it never really rose above "not bad" , I think service was consistently their weakest point for me. I think V opened up and dialed in the whole rustic pizza thing better than Pele's was able to- they never seemed able to really capture the same thing they had going when it was a mobile operation. It's a very attractive space, good luck to what's next.
^ I for one very much liked Pels's over V. The atmosphere is 100% better. I know the style was purposeful, but V almost feels like a cafeteria.
The paid PR person was a waste of money. Better spent on Coupons in The Resident News.
and, "PR" is not "Advertising."
How 'bout this:
The business plan, as executed by the owner, was 'half baked.'
Quote from: MusicMan on April 28, 2015, 10:50:47 AM
The paid PR person was a waste of money. Better spent on Coupons in The Resident News.
and, "PR" is not "Advertising."
How 'bout this:
The business plan, as executed by the owner, was 'half baked.'
Investors are not managers. Managers run the business. Managers did not run the business properly. The investor then pulled out. A new investor will reopen with a new concept and new management.
When your customers are consistently saying they have bad experiences, that's not an advertising problem. In fact, its the exact opposite.
Quote from: tufsu1 on April 28, 2015, 10:48:28 AM
^ I for one very much liked Pels's over V. The atmosphere is 100% better. I know the style was purposeful, but V almost feels like a cafeteria.
I agree, which is why its truly ashame that Peles has left the neighborhood.
This is a shame to see them go, but I have to agree with what others have said.
And I do like V, but I really don't understand why they built out the space the way they did. Especially considering the prices weren't any different than Peles.
Pele's has a great atmosphere, but to me, the food was always lacking. It could have been so much more, but the menu was basically the same in all the time it had been there. Nothing new, so we went for beers and apps and went elsewhere for more. I hope someone can do more with the space, cause it can and should cater to a bit higher crowd the way its done inside.
It seems they doubled downed on mediocrity.
Quote from: thekillingwax on April 28, 2015, 10:16:07 AM
Hate to see anyone lose jobs but I hope they can do something a bit better. Had Pele's a few times and it never really rose above "not bad" , I think service was consistently their weakest point for me. I think V opened up and dialed in the whole rustic pizza thing better than Pele's was able to- they never seemed able to really capture the same thing they had going when it was a mobile operation. It's a very attractive space, good luck to what's next.
Huh, I have the exact opposite opinion regarding V, the next good pizza I have from them will be the first. I've eaten there 4 times now for dinner, and every time the pizza comes out soggy, and the crust is undercooked. I would have written them off after the second time, but Sidecar keeps me coming in the door. Pie vs Pie I much preferred Pele's (specifically The Vegas), their pizza came out with a firmer crust, better leoparding, and better crumb. Also, their salads, who seriously wants to eat a pre-made salad served at 34F?
I will concede that Pele's service was spotty and that their non-pizza dishes were hit or miss (more miss than hit once the first head chef left). I will also add to one, they didn't turn their tap lines quick enough and/or they needed to clean their lines more often. That said, my wife and I will greatly miss their pizza and will be searching high and low for a good substitute (and no one better say Carmine's or Al's).
Taverna's pizza!
Amazing how people have differing opinion on food. I went to V for the first time last week and we had two of the best pizzas I have ever had anywhere. Pizza and crust was far from soggy. Will definitely return.
Oh no! Pizza! Riverside/Avondale! Chaos! Rending of garments and gnashing of teeth! ...enjoy...
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php?topic=4577.0
The last few pizzas I had there were awesome. If I could post a pic here I would. Had the Endless Summer (+bacon) and it was fantastic. I liked sitting up by the ovens and watching the pies go out. They all looked pretty damn good to me.
I do like V Pizza, but it's not fair to compare the atmosphere. And Sidecar is incredibly dark, not sure why.
Quote from: Murder_me_Rachel on April 29, 2015, 08:53:25 AM
I guess I am the only person who never had a problem with service there (not being sarcastic). My servers were always great. One time my girlfriend just happened to mention casually that my birthday was the next day and the waiter brought us off-menu desert and a free beer. Maybe I didnt go there quite frequently enough? I dont know. I am just bummed-- I have fond feelings for that place and always got a warm, endearing vibe whenever I went.
It's not just you, MMR. I always had great service when I went there too, which was probably about once a month or so. I'm definitely going to miss them. I like V Pizza but I preferred Pele's.
Hopefully the new restaurant that goes into the space will be good too. I'm concerned that it will be a Black Sheep/Blind Rabbit type of place, which makes me sad. I would kill for a good Indian or Thai restaurant in that space.
Quote from: Jessicapants on April 29, 2015, 11:21:00 AM
I would kill for a good Indian or Thai restaurant in that space.
Now you're talking.
Quote from: Murder_me_Rachel on April 27, 2015, 08:55:15 AM
I always had a great experience there with the food. The Pizzas were top-notch, IMO; as were the salads and apps I have had, especially the fires. Never ordered anything but pizza when i went there, as far as entrees. Also one of the nicer restaurants in town to have a really, really solid beer selection.
Quote from: WarDamJagFan on April 27, 2015, 09:09:59 AM
Thought it was ok, nothing fantastic. I think the space itself was just too dang big for that type of establishment.
Quote from: jaxjaguar on April 27, 2015, 09:14:57 AM
Meh, something better will move in. Their pizza's were the worst in the area, so it's no surprise. Other pizza spots offer much more flavor for the buck. The space deserves a better / nicer restaurant.
Three very interesting and contrasting opinions about the quality of the Pele's pizza. With these takes, I guess that I'll go down the middle with WarDamJagFan, and say that the pizza was just okay. :)
Quote from: Murder_me_Rachel on April 29, 2015, 08:53:25 AM
I guess I am the only person who never had a problem with service there (not being sarcastic). My servers were always great. One time my girlfriend just happened to mention casually that my birthday was the next day and the waiter brought us off-menu desert and a free beer. Maybe I didnt go there quite frequently enough? I dont know. I am just bummed-- I have fond feelings for that place and always got a warm, endearing vibe whenever I went.
It's not just you. I had a great experience there every time.
I felt the service was GOOD. Now, if the rumors are true that they want t a restaurant that can compete with Orsay, then they will need to step up a bit. If I'm paying Orsay prices then I expect GREAT service.
http://jacksonville.com/business/2015-04-29/story/peles-closes-new-owners-plan-reopen
To me Service was Ok to good most of the time and pizza was excellent.
last time i had V it was tasteless with soggy crust and unimaginative toppings :)
sad to see them close :(