Save Calavino's
December 4, 2008 | 9:58 am
Calavino’s Restaurant is in trouble.
Carl forwards this link to a MySpace page set up by Calavino’s to help save the business. The owner details their story in the sidebar (which begins with a terrible car accident) and explains why the restaurant is asking for funds.
“After a year of struggling to stay above water and with the end getting closer, I was ready to quit but then I was reminded that I never give up. The same person told me my pride would be the only thing to get in the way of saving my business. So, in the spirit of never giving up I am swallowing my pride and asking for help.”
Donations can be made through Paypal at the bottom of the MySpace page.
If enough money is not raised, the restaurant is scheduled to close December 21st.
I always hate to hear about any local business going out of business, but I’m not surprised. I’ve been to Calvinos multiple times and have never had a pleasant experience. Last time we were in, I made a complaint about my food and my server said they were slammed, and I should be glad I got my food at all.
we had a similar experience, but blamed it on the fact that we were there within the first weeks of closing. our server seemed a bit nervous and on edge. our problem was that there was apparently a mix up in the kitchen and we ended up waiting over an hour for our food to be served (while watching people around us who came in after get their food well before ours). we asked a couple of times and at first were given a bit of the brush off….and then after the 2nd or 3rd time of asking we finally got our food. after we asked to speak to the manager, they DID take the cost of the entrees off, but we still paid for salads and drinks. our server offered us nothing, not even really an apology. we haven’t been back since, so i’m not sure how it’s been since then.
oops. that was supposed to be within the first weeks of opening! ha.
I have little to say on the subject other than, after a very long conversation with the chef, I came away feeling disheartened and sad that any such person would put their soul into a restaurant. He essentially admitted to hating what he does.
I hate, though, for any local business, any at all, to go under. It’s a shame.
Gosh…we go to Calavino’s as often as we can and we have never had a bad experience. Our servers have always been very nice. Occasionally we have had to wait, but nothing extreme.
Calavino is an extraordinary person and the food there has always been fabulous. I am sorry to hear that things are not going well.
Harsh reality, of course, is that most restaurants fail, and the Decatur restaurant scene is not exactly uncompetitive. Too bad if she doesn’t make it, but it’s hardly an unforeseen result. Not too many people are in the habit of giving money to a restaurant and not getting food or drinks in return.
I’ll hate to see ‘em go because I really like Calavino as a person and our meals there have always fairly good.
I’ve been in Oakhurst since the village was empty and I’m convinced that space is cursed. Heaping Bowl and Brew? Gone. Beaufain’s? Gone. Melton’s App and Tap? Gone. The Village Cafe? Gone. The Oakhurst Grill? Gone. And now maybe Calavino’s.
Somebody get an exorcist on the line.
You know what just might survive there… another Tortillas like the one they used to have on Ponce. Boy I miss that place..
Scott I had the same thought re: that space. I really thought Melton’s would succeed there. It’s always done well in its other location.
Never understood the attachment many had to Tortilla’s. In terms of quality it’s miles away from Chipotle, and I’d even rank Raging Burrito several notches higher. T’s was, however, far better than the faux food served at Moe’s (shudder).
Actually, Calavino is an experienced restauranteur. Many of us remember her as a beloved server at one of Decatur’s long gone former jewels, Saint Agnes Tea Garden on E Howard. She then opened her own spot (The Urban Cannibal) a few doors down before opening the Roman Lily in what was then a bit of a sketchy part of Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward, which had a successful run for over eight years. Roman Lily became a destination for many; I had numerous friends from out of town that always wanted to return there on repeat visits. Eventually, the area transformed into one filled with new apartments and condos. Threatened with huge rent increases by a landlord wishing to capitalize on the now more upscale neighborhood, all of the existing tenants in the block opted to leave. Calavino remained there the longest but ultimately jumped at the opportunity to take over the former Oakhurst Grill and make it her own. Perhaps that space is cursed, so to speak, or it may be a combination of factors like a bookkeeper that disappeared overnight, preventing anyone else from accessing the financial records and email and the general change in the economy. I mentioned the potential loss to a friend earlier this evening, who said “I don’t eat out now. Period.” That’s become the case for many.
At this year’s Decatur Wine Festival, Calavino ran out of food for sampling (since it was delicious!) but didn’t want to leave early or stand around an empty table just handing out menus and cards as others did. Instead, she ran over to Kroger and bought cheese and bread to give away. That’s just the warm-hearted woman that she is.
If you haven’t been to Calavino’s, go now! I highly recommend Soul Food Fridays, which are very reasonably priced and delicious.
yes, roman lily was fantastic, so we had high hopes for calavinos but had a bad experience (but again, it was only our only time there). we were thinknig something more like roman lily might be a better fit there as opposed to a more “fine dining” type of experience. part of the charm of roman lily was the quaintness, yet diner/short order feel. i hope it succeeds b/c i really want any business in decatur to succeed and we know from calavino’s previous experiences that she’s certainly capable of having a successful business. part of the issue, it seems from comments here may be service related.
We stopped going there because of the service as well. We had one good experience followed by three where we felt compelled to offer help serving because they were clearly short-staffed. I liked the food and hope they do well. I’ll try it again this weekend! Good luck Calvino’s!
I will go and eat there, but will not just hand over money for nothing. I am all for supporting Decatur businesses, but not giving them money. I have eaten there before, and it was fine. Didn’t draw me back, but also didn’t repel me. Will also go to Fellini’s and support them, as many will now likely be afraid to go there, and shouldn’t be. Any event like that could happen anytime, anywhere. I shopped at Wordsmiths when they needed a hand, but did not donate money. While I hate to quash someone’s enterpreneureal dream, the economy just may not be the only reason some businesses are struggling.
[removed: no personal attacks]
I have not been impressed with Calavino’s. I have been in many times and found the food, the wait staff, and the overall ambiance severely lacking. I typically support local restaurants, but in this case, I say good riddance. I think Oakhurst can do much better in this spot, and I think Calavino should rethink her future in food service. Try the UJoint or Mojo Pizza.
Tonight is the LAST night. All you can eat food and drink for $5-$10 donation. Please support and give her a hug for me since I’m out of town.
Sorry everyone. I’m not going to be apart of a private battle.
All the comments regarding the issue have been removed.