Giuseppe’s to close and change
This article in today’s Bulletin reveals that long-time (22 years!) downtown restaurant Giuseppe’s is closing September 8th, to be reopened later in the month under the name "Bistro Pow."
Pow is short for powder. Both [Peggy] Falcaro and [Mark] May are avid skiers, and aspects of the decor and menu will reflect that. “Photographs of different people’s passions” will decorate the restaurant, Falcaro said. The pictures will change four times a year, as will the menu, which will feature an eclectic mix of seasonal foods.
An opening fall menu lists lighter and larger entrees, like rack of lamb with goat cheese gnocchi, spinach and an herb jus for $32, a chilled cucumber and walnut soup with smoked salmon and mint for $7, and a truffled chicken roulade Caesar salad with a Parmesan crisp for $9.
The owner cites downtown’s competitive restaurant business and rising rent costs for the change; I’m sure having Staccato around the corner didn’t help as far as Italian restaurants go. Good grief, downtown is really going through some turnover on the dining, though. What’s up with that? The Grove, Hans, Super Burrito, Kuishinbo Kitchen and the others on the Minnesota block, and now Giuseppe’s… jeez.
But I like(d) Giuseppe’s… I haven’t eaten there in awhile, but I liked it the times we’ve been, and it always seemed to me to have an "old school" Italian feel to it which was appealing. Plus, they have a full bar and Goomba’s, their lounge, is accessed via Tin Pan Alley… how cool is that?
At least they’re keeping the location, and not going out of business entirely.
And, check this out… they have a YouTube video online, produced by BendNights.com. That’s cool! I didn’t know BN was doing that; check out their other videos here.
Staccato can’t hold a candle to Giuseppe’s, despite the fancy building, fancy menu and fancy prices. I would go to Guiseppe’s 100 times before I’d hit Staccato again.
We had our first meal at Giuseppe’s last week during a road trip back to college. The food was fabulous, though not inexpensive–owner Peggy’s comment about not being able to survive on spaghetti and meatball fare didn’t ring true in our case, we had two of the specialty dishes and they were fantastic at $25 per dinner–entree only, not including salads or appetizers–far from $8.00 spaghetti house fare.
Rents must have really increased, doesn’t your town council, or your residents, voice any concern about this??? It doesn’t seem fair to long time businesses to price them out, customers–both locals and tourists aren’t comfortable spending $32 (the new "Pow" bistro’s lamb dish conglomeration)or more, on a regular basis.
Sounds like Bend is getting a bit too pretentious (aka– too big for it’s britches, remember, you are a one ski area town in the middle of Oregon!!).
Hello Hackbenders,
As the chef of Bistro Pow I am really glad I found this forum and your comments. I would like to offer anyone who would like a preview of our dinner, dessert and kid’s menus to email me and I’ll send them back to you. Our apps start at 6 bucks, not to mention the $2 Bump Burgers. The lamb from the Willamette Valley is very expensive and hear Hot shots point loud and clear to the extent of considering only offering it as a special to avoid creating that kind of "sticker shock". I’m seriously considering offering roast leg of lamb since no one else has that either. that would bring all the prices under 30 bucks.
I also want to thank Abe for his comment too and I’m sure my partner, Peggy, who has operated Giuseppe’s for 22 years would like to thank you too. It’s our intention to maintain the comfortable aspects that Giuseppe’s has, maintaining a casual theme, the back alley bar and the menus are all a part of that.
See you at Bistro Pow,
Mark
oooops….
here’s my email for menus and any other info I can offer:
chefmarkmay@hotmail.com
The restaurant’s website will have email links but it’s still under construction.
Thank you,
Mark
Having sampled some of Mark May’s wares, I believe Central Oregon palates are in for a major treat!
I have to agree with Hot Shots, though. As Bend continues to grow, it feels like people who grew up here are getting pushed out by the yuppies who choose to spend their Winters skiing here and their Summers golfing here. As much as I enjoy the wider variety of dining choices, stores, and such that are coming in, I can’t help but wonder how Bend will feel in 20 years. Will any of the old businesses be able to afford to stick around that long?