Sadly, jP American Bistro closed last week.

Sadly, jP American Bistro closed last week.

Sadly, jP American Bistro closed last week.

I also just read that Farm in the Market, in the Midtown Global Market, has closed. More saddness.

Speaking of TTD, Aaron and Tim being out was just a formality...they haven't really been involved since Strip Club opened. Also, WTF ever happened to David Vlach?

I believe David is still schlepping premium cuts at Clancy's Meats. His craft is very much missed. I have a no-fail restaurant concept (yes, even in this economy), if you're reading this David, call me!

We should be worried about the Modern Cafe. Almost empty this weekend while the food is as good as ever. A mile from downtown and free parking to boot...

show me a "can't fail" restaurant concept, and I'll show you someone who's ready to throw away a quarter-million dollars.

All this speculation and assumption can be dangerous ... I don't think it's doing our local restaurant community a service to have AZ tossing out rumors and encouraging readers to submit their own hunches. TTD is doing fine, but once the idea is out there that they're for sale some people might not go there, fearing lower quality.

A perfect example of completely unjustified rumor here is the Modern Cafe. Just because a restaurant was not busy this last weekend doesn't mean it's in danger. The economy is in trouble, it's an election year, it was a beautiful weekend, so guess what ... people stay home.

The owner of the Modern, Jim Grell, has been around long enough to watch the ebb and flow of the economy and plan ahead for such things. In fact, I would say he's one of the more savvy owners around. Keep in mind that during the last recession he was the first to have half price wine.

Very very very few restaurant owners are good with money and sharpen their pencils while looking at P&L statement. Sadly, for many, money is more of a 'feeling' than a reality. But there are some standouts, and they are solid examples of good business that pay their employees well and pay their bills on time. Highland/Edina/Longfellow Grill, Wayzata Eatery, Al Vento, The Modern, W.A. Frost, Corner Table, Heartland, Restaurant Alma to name a few. On the opposite end of the spectrum you had Zander, jP American Bistro, Five, and others.

The restaurant business can be a good, solid business. But more restaurant owners need to learn that a bookkeeper will actually save you money, and possibly your business.

Question--Does anyone know the status (I can make a guess) on the on- again/off-again status of the new Tom Pham restaurant, Mix, on Lake street? It came out last Spring that it was officially a "go" but I see no sign of work taking place there.

Chris - I read this story in July, 2008. It indicates that Mix is still in the works, and supposedly opening before the end of the year.

http://www.twincities.com/restaurants/ci_9827517?nclick_check=1

Dear Insider,

You started your comment with "all this speculation and assumption can be dangerous" then go on to presume that Zander, jP American Bistro, Five and "others" were bad business owners who were not good with money, did not pay attention to P&L's or have a good bookeeper. Take your own advice Insider - your assumptions can be dangerous.

Dear Offended,

If tough/misguided/sad/bad decisions regarding finances were not the eventual cause of the demise of jP, Five, and Zander then what else should I assume it was? Please tell me why these restaurants closed. Did finances play no part?

If plenty of other restaurants weather the storm of economic tides, then what caused these to fail?

Rather than speculating about who is going to close next (and therefore possibly hastening their demise through rumor and speculation), I think it may be MUCH more insightful to examine why the ones that have closed did. That's the point I'm making.

I agree, we should not be speculating about how well and poorly local owners are managing their money. We should be eating at those restaurants that offer great food, service, and value.
Speaking of which, I ate at Muffuletta for the first time in 5 years. The service was slow--not at all what I expected. Also, the salmon was good but, the side was a third of a sliced avocado with garnishes of orange, grapefruit, and lemon!
I can cook salmon at home, cut up an avocado, and even make a side of rice. I spend money eating out in order to eat something special---Muffuletta is off my list again. Maybe I'll try it again in five years.

Thom's a real estate man, so he's watching the economy closely. I don't know what the article said that Reetsy linked to ("no longer available") but Thom told me the other night that he needs to see what the market is going to do before he makes another move on the East Lake property.

Geoff, I need a fraction of that amount, which is partly why it's no-fail.

does anyone know if you will be able to use ttd gift certificate at Strip Club

Dear speculators,
Just a little fyi. The Town Talk Diner is doing great and isn't going anywhere. Last week's sales were up 25% over last year. For Trevor's information, TTD gift cards were never redeemable at the Strip Club, another great restaurant that is also doing well.

Tor - I *heart* TTD. I was sad to see the butternut squash risotto missing from the fall menu this year. I loved that pumpkin oil.

julie c, indulge me in understanding something I've wondered about restaurant complainers for a long time...

If you can cook a salmon, slice an avocado and make rice at home so well, why the bejeekers do you order that when you go out?

"I spend money eating out in order to eat something special (but I order the most boring, crap ingredient item on the menu)". Huh?

Just what did you expect from "Grilled Atlantic Salmon with a shaved fennel salad, citrus slices, seared avocado and a lemon-basil vinaigrette"?

Tor's comment reads like it's coming from someone in the process of selling their business.

Anyone who knows someone that works at The Modern, knows that they are in need of additional patronage/cash flow. I will not go into details, but the insider may want to change his or her moniker before her or she keeps spouting bullshit.

this whole post is out of line as far as I am concerned, AZ brings up the topic and askes who people think is going to go out of bussiness next? real smart, last time i checked people don't flock to resturants that are rumored to be struggling. way to support the local resturants Andrew!

Seroiusly, did anyone hear the rumor that All of Andrew Z. advertisers are pulling out from the travel channel? Word on the street is that upper managment thinks he is to fat and eats very similar to a goat with the drooling and all. just a rumor but thought the whole twin cities should know.

I know I'm a bit late with this on this thread, but I ate at Muffuletta this past Friday night and we had a phenomenal meal. Our table shared the gnocchi with duck ragu, the venison, the pork loin and the duck because we couldn't choose. All were terrific, a good blend of ingredients and cooked appropriately.