http://jacksonville.com/business/food-and-dining/2018-01-22/italian-restaurant-abruptly-closes-jacksonville-s-riverside?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=TheFloridaTimesUnion-SND
Seems they're having a hard time keeping places open...
What's the over/under on Cowford?
Went there twice and it just wasn't that good.
Quote from: acme54321 on January 22, 2018, 04:44:39 PM
What's the over/under on Cowford?
I've got my ticket right at 2 years. Seems to be the sweet spot.
Quote from: copperfiend on January 22, 2018, 04:46:11 PM
Went there twice and it just wasn't that good.
Il Desco or Cowford? Il Desco never fit the neighborhood and the food didn't live up to the price point either. I never had a great meal there but it's a shame to see any place close. Very interested to see what takes its place.
Quote from: RiversideRambler on January 22, 2018, 05:01:09 PM
Quote from: copperfiend on January 22, 2018, 04:46:11 PM
Went there twice and it just wasn't that good.
Il Desco or Cowford? Il Desco never fit the neighborhood and the food didn't live up to the price point either. I never had a great meal there but it's a shame to see any place close. Very interested to see what takes its place.
Agreed!
It definitely didn't fit the neighborhood. I had some great meals there and some average meals. The prices definitely didn't help things. I wonder why they didn't try moving down market a little?
Been a handful of closings lately including this one and Hob Nob. A handful of openings including River and Post and Cowford.
Riverside Avondale hipsters can only keep so many places open. The average income per person there cannot top $30,000 can it?
Quote from: RiversideRambler on January 22, 2018, 05:01:09 PM
Quote from: copperfiend on January 22, 2018, 04:46:11 PM
Went there twice and it just wasn't that good.
Il Desco or Cowford? Il Desco never fit the neighborhood and the food didn't live up to the price point either. I never had a great meal there but it's a shame to see any place close. Very interested to see what takes its place.
Il Desco. Last time my wife and I went there was for lunch last summer on a Sunday and it was nearly empty.
We live in the area and love to support locally owned businesses but we just never had a good meal there.
I think they failed because the food sucked. Period.
No surprise here. I took my wife here once for dinner and we found it noisy (no soft surfaces to absorb the noise) and pretentious. The food was not as good as what they were aiming for.
Quote from: MusicMan on January 23, 2018, 08:27:16 AM
Riverside Avondale hipsters can only keep so many places open. The average income per person there cannot top $30,000 can it?
Are we talking about the same neighborhoods?
The only way anyone making $30k can afford to live in Riverside or Avondale would be to have 4 roommates.
Just drive through it. It's pretty obvious. There are still LOTS of slumlords making bank throughout Riverside.... I know several.
Look for multiple cars parked on the lawn or easement.... At night.
People will pay a larger portion of their income to live in the trendy neighborhood.
Of course there are also cute flips where people paid several hundred thousand dollars as well. Saw one on Myra that sold for $450,000...
$30,000 a year is $600 per week. Two people paying $1100 for a 2 bedroom duplex will pay around $600-700 apiece for rent plus utilities.
Agree, Avondale not so much.
However budgeting this much for rent does not leave a lot of room for moderately expensive dining out. You'll find Burger King, and many other less expensive choices on King Street doing just fine.
^I think that was part of the problem with Il Desco, many people that have the money to patronize such a place wouldn't necessarily drive down King St frequently enough to keep it in the forefront of their mind. It might have done better on St. Johns Ave but the rent would definitely have been higher...or do they own the building? If the latter, what do you think they'll try next?
I am near certain they do not own it. I helped Pele's get their lease several years back.....
However he does own some cool old industrial stuff across from Unity Plaza that is undergoing serious work and being converted into a bar and distillery.
Quote from: remc86007 on January 23, 2018, 10:02:19 PM
^I think that was part of the problem with Il Desco, many people that have the money to patronize such a place wouldn't necessarily drive down King St frequently enough to keep it in the forefront of their mind. It might have done better on St. Johns Ave but the rent would definitely have been higher...or do they own the building? If the latter, what do you think they'll try next?
French Pantry, 13 Gypsies, Pine Grove Deli, bb's and Aix prove that good food served at the right price will thrive in Jax. All 5 were in out of the way places and all alone when they were built. The quality of food kept it "in the forefront" of people's minds. I understand that 3 of these are lower price points than Hob-Nob, Ovinte, or Il Desco, but Jax is not generally a wealthy town and people are hesitant to throw down big bucks for food. I think Il Desco and Hob Nob gave their food a higher valuation than the average Jax diner, which caused their downfall.
Quote from: acme54321 on January 23, 2018, 06:27:46 PM
Quote from: MusicMan on January 23, 2018, 08:27:16 AM
Riverside Avondale hipsters can only keep so many places open. The average income per person there cannot top $30,000 can it?
Are we talking about the same neighborhoods?
The only way anyone making $30k can afford to live in Riverside or Avondale would be to have 4 roommates.
Riverside is such a mix. For a place I'd be okay living.....it would be likely more than $1,100 a month. It's not that I'm a snob or anything, but I'm not in my early 20s any more. I still say that if people in their early 20s want to live in a fun neighborhood, they should consider how much ambition they have. If they have little to none, live in Jax Beach. If they have some to a lot, live in Riverside.
(disclaimer - I know exceptions to both. Don't hate on me. I just believe that Jax Beach, for some, is where ambition goes to die).
With that said, Riverside is a GREAT diverse neighborhood. I love it for this reason - differences between people should be encouraged.
Regarding Il Desco: I'll sum this up: Five Points and Park and King have similarities in that they are both Riverside commercial strips. But, if the Riverside Hipsters are to blame in regards to why Il Desco closed, then why is Black Sheep still packing them in?
I've always felt that the Black Sheep Group's Restaurants (Insetta and DeVault) are much more consistent in quality service and kitchen execution than Forking Amazing. I like Bistro Aix (and in February hope to continue to like it), and I think Cowford was great when I was there, but Forking Amazing's places have always lacked in service and consistency compared to Black Sheep Group.
Quote from: Steve on January 24, 2018, 02:16:15 PM
Quote from: acme54321 on January 23, 2018, 06:27:46 PM
Quote from: MusicMan on January 23, 2018, 08:27:16 AM
Riverside Avondale hipsters can only keep so many places open. The average income per person there cannot top $30,000 can it?
Are we talking about the same neighborhoods?
The only way anyone making $30k can afford to live in Riverside or Avondale would be to have 4 roommates.
Riverside is such a mix. For a place I'd be okay living.....it would be likely more than $1,100 a month. It's not that I'm a snob or anything, but I'm not in my early 20s any more. I still say that if people in their early 20s want to live in a fun neighborhood, they should consider how much ambition they have. If they have little to none, live in Jax Beach. If they have some to a lot, live in Riverside.
(disclaimer - I know exceptions to both. Don't hate on me. I just believe that Jax Beach, for some, is where ambition goes to die).
With that said, Riverside is a GREAT diverse neighborhood. I love it for this reason - differences between people should be encouraged.
Regarding Il Desco: I'll sum this up: Five Points and Park and King have similarities in that they are both Riverside commercial strips. But, if the Riverside Hipsters are to blame in regards to why Il Desco closed, then why is Black Sheep still packing them in?
I've always felt that the Black Sheep Group's Restaurants (Insetta and DeVault) are much more consistent in quality service and kitchen execution than Forking Amazing. I like Bistro Aix (and in February hope to continue to like it), and I think Cowford was great when I was there, but Forking Amazing's places have always lacked in service and consistency compared to Black Sheep Group.
Black Sheep has a comparatively smaller space and a rooftop bar that's pure profit. The overhead and profit margins are likely much different. And like you say, the food is better, which is the real kicker. I'll cross the bridge occasionally for Black Sheep. Not so much for Il Desco or Pele's before that.
Beyond that, 5 points is also somewhat deeper into the Chaddening than King Street, and bro, Chad and Stacey love Black Sheep and rooftop bars.
Maybe old Al will consider the Flying Iguana for this location that he almost put in San Marco...
Quote from: Tacachale on January 24, 2018, 02:58:19 PM
Beyond that, 5 points is also somewhat deeper into the Chaddening than King Street, and bro, Chad and Stacey love Black Sheep and rooftop bars.
LOL I don't know if what you said is a "thing" but I totally understand it and it's hilarious.
LOL. Chads and Brads.
Quote from: ProjectMaximus on January 24, 2018, 05:26:52 PM
Quote from: Tacachale on January 24, 2018, 02:58:19 PM
Beyond that, 5 points is also somewhat deeper into the Chaddening than King Street, and bro, Chad and Stacey love Black Sheep and rooftop bars.
LOL I don't know if what you said is a "thing" but I totally understand it and it's hilarious.
It's definitely a thing, but I'll add a caveat. Chad takes Brooke to Il Desco for her birthday to show how cultured he is, but he and Blake head to Black Sheep once or twice a month for drinks on the roof on friday. That once a year vs twice a month is the big difference.
Quote from: Captain Zissou on January 25, 2018, 12:01:48 PM
Quote from: ProjectMaximus on January 24, 2018, 05:26:52 PM
Quote from: Tacachale on January 24, 2018, 02:58:19 PM
Beyond that, 5 points is also somewhat deeper into the Chaddening than King Street, and bro, Chad and Stacey love Black Sheep and rooftop bars.
LOL I don't know if what you said is a "thing" but I totally understand it and it's hilarious.
It's definitely a thing, but I'll add a caveat. Chad takes Brooke to Il Desco for her birthday to show how cultured he is, but he and Blake head to Black Sheep once or twice a month for drinks on the roof on friday. That once a year vs twice a month is the big difference.
Totes, bro, right on the money.
^ Thanks Brochacho
Quote from: Captain Zissou on January 25, 2018, 12:01:48 PM
Quote from: ProjectMaximus on January 24, 2018, 05:26:52 PM
Quote from: Tacachale on January 24, 2018, 02:58:19 PM
Beyond that, 5 points is also somewhat deeper into the Chaddening than King Street, and bro, Chad and Stacey love Black Sheep and rooftop bars.
LOL I don't know if what you said is a "thing" but I totally understand it and it's hilarious.
It's definitely a thing, but I'll add a caveat. Chad takes Brooke to Il Desco for her birthday to show how cultured he is, but he and Blake head to Black Sheep once or twice a month for drinks on the roof on friday. That once a year vs twice a month is the big difference.
So, you're suggesting if they had named it "Il Desbro", it would have made it? ::)
Quote from: TimmyB on January 25, 2018, 05:58:22 PM
Quote from: Captain Zissou on January 25, 2018, 12:01:48 PM
Quote from: ProjectMaximus on January 24, 2018, 05:26:52 PM
Quote from: Tacachale on January 24, 2018, 02:58:19 PM
Beyond that, 5 points is also somewhat deeper into the Chaddening than King Street, and bro, Chad and Stacey love Black Sheep and rooftop bars.
LOL I don't know if what you said is a "thing" but I totally understand it and it's hilarious.
It's definitely a thing, but I'll add a caveat. Chad takes Brooke to Il Desco for her birthday to show how cultured he is, but he and Blake head to Black Sheep once or twice a month for drinks on the roof on friday. That once a year vs twice a month is the big difference.
So, you're suggesting if they had named it "Il Desbro", it would have made it? ::)
Il Douchey
Quote from: Tacachale on January 25, 2018, 06:24:44 PM
Quote from: TimmyB on January 25, 2018, 05:58:22 PM
Quote from: Captain Zissou on January 25, 2018, 12:01:48 PM
Quote from: ProjectMaximus on January 24, 2018, 05:26:52 PM
Quote from: Tacachale on January 24, 2018, 02:58:19 PM
Beyond that, 5 points is also somewhat deeper into the Chaddening than King Street, and bro, Chad and Stacey love Black Sheep and rooftop bars.
LOL I don't know if what you said is a "thing" but I totally understand it and it's hilarious.
It's definitely a thing, but I'll add a caveat. Chad takes Brooke to Il Desco for her birthday to show how cultured he is, but he and Blake head to Black Sheep once or twice a month for drinks on the roof on friday. That once a year vs twice a month is the big difference.
So, you're suggesting if they had named it "Il Desbro", it would have made it? ::)
Il Douchey
Ewwwwwwwwwww. Not sure I'd cross the street for that one, T!
The Two Dudes Seafood sign is not up on the former Il Desco space.