by Rebecca Schmitz
Poof! Another Missoula restaurant has vanished. According to New West, 515 closed its doors earlier this week. I realize I’m behind the curve on this news; other Missoulians noticed before I did. I only happened to find out because I was perusing New West during a quiet moment at work yesterday afternoon. Fifteen minutes and a few phone calls later–I had dinner reservations there last night for a belated birthday party and no one from 515 notified us of their closure–we scored a table at Red Bird. Their Tuscan grain salad, mushroom mille-feuille, and fig and apricot soufflé went a long way towards soothing my annoyance.
A few weeks ago in the Independent, Skylar Browning wondered aloud if Missoula can support a variety of upscale bars. I have to wonder the same of upscale restaurants. Did anyone else get a chance eat at the here today, gone tomorrow Epicurean Bistro, the great little Mediterranean-cum-Indian restaurant stranded among the used car lots, casinos and payday loan predators of central Missoula? I know the high rate of failure in the restaurant industry is a myth, but it sure seems like this is the one game in town with a constantly changing roster of players. Hell, even Krispy Kreme didn’t make it for long.
Any thoughts why some restaurants succeed here, and others don’t?
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March 22, 2008 at 5:53 pm
The Epicurean Bistro was neither great nor little and that is why it’s gone. A quasi-Indian restaurant that blows its chance at curry is doomed. And they tried to cozy up what started out as a JB’s Big Boy but that didn’t quite work either. I never had a chance to go to the 515, unfortunately, but after seeing their entree prices in that article you mentioned, I can understand why they didn’t catch on. A $29 ribeye is one thing if you and your spouse are making over $60K each in Seattle, but it makes it hard to swing on Missoula’s wages. That location, as well, is a little challenged. Compare it to Scotty’s Table which has perhaps the perfect bistro layout – intimate yet open. It’s a darn shame. I hope that fella tries again, but with business plan that allows for lower prices.
March 22, 2008 at 7:31 pm
I’ve wondered the same thing about Missoula’s ability to support upscale restaurants, Rebecca. But then again, there are a lot of expensive retail places on North Higgins that I wonder how they stay open. Someone is driving all the enormous pickups and SUVs and all that, so there is obviously a demographic here that I am light years away from. As for us, we ate at the Epicurean Bistro once, and at 515 once. I’d have gone to 515 again, I think, but it never really made my radar. We eat out a fair amount, but it is rarely, if ever, at places that are more than $10 – $12/entree.
By the way, it was nice to see you at the OP the other night. If I’d known you were there, I would have invited you over!
March 22, 2008 at 7:38 pm
I never tried the EB’s curry, but I did have a few of the Greek, French and Italian entrees. They were quite good. I agree about the building, though, Freeranger. It reminded me of those businesses that move into former Circle K locations. It may say Century 21 or Subway on the outside, but to me it will always be a tacky C-store.
You can find that same $29 ribeye (or other cuts of meat) at Pearl and Red Bird, so why are Missoulians willing to shell out money at those restaurants and not 515?
March 22, 2008 at 7:41 pm
Likewise, Chris!
March 22, 2008 at 7:54 pm
I was just cruising, checked this out because I went to Missoula once a long time ago. I read and related. I’ve been to a restaurant that sounds like the Epicurian Bistro, and I almost wonder if a place tries to be too many things to too many people, it can over extend itself.
Thanks for letting me eavesdrop. Missoula sounds cool.
Nora
March 23, 2008 at 9:43 am
Hey I’m still upset that I can no longer get a burger and a beer for a buck.
March 23, 2008 at 9:50 am
Hey I’m still upset that I can no longer get a burger and a beer for a buck.
Wow, when did that go away?
I think I know where Pearl is, but I can’t for the life of me think of where Red Bird is.
March 23, 2008 at 9:59 am
With a secret handshake, a close encounter with the local winos, and careful stepping around the grunge of the alley, you, too, can find the Red Bird.
Or, just enter from inside the Florence Hotel Building.
March 23, 2008 at 12:13 pm
I never made it to the Epicurean Bistro (the location itself made me too skeptical) or 515. I am also not of the demographic that drives enormous SUVs and eats $29 ribeyes with any regularity, although I do enjoy a fancy restaurant once in a while (preferably if someone else is treating). I prefer more modest, but stylish (or at least eclectic) digs with fabulous food. And that, to me, is what has the best likelihood of surviving in Missoula.
Frankly, I’m still mourning Marianne’s Hob Nob. In my mind, it was the perfect restaurant — the menu ranged from inexpensive burgers to expensive entrees, all of which were fabulous, and the decor was out-of-this-world fabulous.
March 23, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Did you ever get a chance to eat at Marianne’s in the Wilma?
And, so long as we’re talking about mourning restaurants, I have one word: Perugia.
March 23, 2008 at 12:42 pm
Question: What does this mean for The Crystal theater housed at the back of 515?
March 23, 2008 at 2:41 pm
Jeez, a lot of these restaurants are names I recognized but didn’t even realize they were gone. Wow.
Secret handshakes? Oh, no. . . .
http://stumblingthewalk.blogspot.com/2008/01/im-not-hip.html
March 27, 2008 at 12:38 pm
There is a reason that restaurants like Red Bird and Scotty’s do well – they have all of the elements they ought to have. 515 never did – it was a place with a lot missing, yet a high-horse attitude.
Plus, it also irks me hearing that they thought Missoula’s diners were clueless. It smells to me that someone is projecting to compensate for being unable to admit where he lacked.
March 27, 2008 at 1:04 pm
The Missoulian’s Lori Grannis has a similar take on 515 in today’s Entertainer.
June 3, 2009 at 11:07 pm
We went to the Epicurean Bistro quite a few times and thought it offered excellent authentic food and some very unique beer and wines. And, at least toward the end of its lifetime, reasonable prices. Personally we miss the place and wish that, as it was voted Best New Restaurant, it would have gotten the support to survive. I guess it was too big and too “ethnic” for Missoula patrons to keep open…too bad!