Venuti's Appears to be Closed
2008 April 7
We went downtown this evening and walked past Venuti’s Ristorante on E. Patrick St. At first we noticed that the bar was deserted looking so we went into the foyer of the restaurant and the place is closed. Not it’s Monday night closed. It was empty. No tables or chairs to be found. No sign out front with the dinner specials. Nothing.
I can’t say I’m too surprised because that restaurant space is huge and it never seemed to be busy. When it first opened, I thought the food was fantastic but the last couple times we went, I thought the food was forgettable. I suppose it’s possible they could just be undergoing a major renovation, but it sure looked like it was closed for good. Anybody hear anything?
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Oh man, I got engaged in that place. And engaged to the REAL wife to boot!
We had the same experience there, food used to be great, lately.. umm not so much.
Could the popularity of the new downtown be leading to a higher turnover?
When Venuti’s switched from Tuscan cuisine to plain Italian, it lost some of its luster. The opening of Il Porto and retooling of Tauraso’s into Danielle’s just a few blocks away made it that much more difficult. Recessions hit restaurants hard and early, and the last winter was especially tough, especially with a tobacco ban. Plus, Venuti’s never had much of a buzz, and that location has never been a powerhouse for ANY restaurant. Add it all up, and it’s no surprise.
With the deepening recession, inflation, and gas prices, we might expect another casualty or two in coming months. Tough times indeed.
Wow. Just wow. Their garlic rolls were to die for. I have to see this for myself.
We should have mentioned, went in town to go to Quynn’s Attic. We had a fantastic meal, with amazing pineapple vodka infused martini. And my beer was not spilled on Liz…
I was told by a downtown merchant that the owner has gone bankrupt and it had to close….
I was never interested in returning after one visit.
We tried to go there on Sunday too. The sign on the door that we read said “Closed to Relocate.”
We saw the same thing as above, “Relocate” ???
I definitely did not see any signs on the door last night. Interesting.
I guess it all remains to be seen just what is happening there.
Tony and I used to dine at Venuti’s when it was GREAT. Since it changed hands/menu, we didn’t care for it. LOVED the garlic rolls.
With our two favorites, Il Porto and Mamma Lucia’s, I can see why it closed.
Monica
I work above Venuti’s and they are closed, but it is highly unlikely they’re relocating. They’re done.
As much as I did not enjoy my recent experiences there of late, it is always sad to see someone’s livelihood go down the drain.
Rumor is it may be replaced by an Irish pub of some sort, and will undergo a new buildout.
Heard it is becoming an Irish Pub and Proof is closing also.
Proff is owned by the poeple who own Tasting room, I believe. They do a good business and a friend say they have the best chai she has ever had!
Let me ask others: Is a South Patrick St. location problematic for restaurants, even if located within a stone’s throw of Market Square Corner?
I can’t remember any businesses on S. Patrick St. doing well. Venuti’s is closed Someone just said Proof is folding. So did that hip deli that came before it. Ditto for Province Too. Before Venuti’s was that Creekside Cafe. Before then, it was something else that hit the skids. Nido’s does pretty well, but not that great. The Ethiopian place rarely is crowded, from what I’ve seen.
It’s like you have to be on Market St. to really do well downtown. True or false?
Whoops. I meant an EAST Patrick St. location.
I’ve heard the Proof rumor too. It’s also rumored that Proof owner Michael Tauraso wants to open a second restaurant (second to the Tasting Room) on S. Market. So it appears that quite a bit of effort is being put into the Creek area and south of there. In the case of Venuti’s, I think it’s more a matter of a restaurant going seriously downhill. A lot of people seem to agree with me based on the comments here. I always thought their bar area was fun though, sticking to just drinks and appetizers.
You may be right about the E. Patrick St. location in some ways though, Dude. I’ve noticed lately that there’s been a lot of turnover in the non-restaurant businesses on that stretch of E. Patrick.
Hmmm… Irish Pub?
http://www.patricksofpratt.com
I think it’s got to do with the direction of traffic. As you drive down market, you see the storefronts on the north sides of the street corners. I would bet that when they reverse the flow of Market street, this is all going to change. (They’re reversing Market to go out of town once the 70 entrance brings traffic in to town via East street)
Patricks sounds great! I think it will be a hit!
It will be interesting to see if Frederick can support three Irish pubs/restaurants downtown.
What do you think Darrell?
I called to make reservations this past sunday and the woman on the phone said we are closed and relocating to FSK mall.. look for us there in a couple months!!
so now.. where in fsk mall??
Geez,
I guess they haven’t been reading our comments about the mall!?
Would that be the same FSK where the Olive Garden is located? I don’t see lackluster Venuti’s going toe to toe with the OG, even if the latter isn’t very good.
That said, a third-rate Italian restaurant would be the perfect addition to a third-rate mall.
I’m not doubting what qp was told on the phone, but I find it very hard to believe that Venuti’s will relocate to FSK mall. Especially in the next couple months. There’s no room in the mall and the surrounding area is all big chains. Maybe they have plans to go into the new strip mall that’s going to be built across the street by Staples. For some reason, I doubt that also.
I, too, doubt that Venuti’s will turn up in the FSK vicinity (and probably anywhere else). But some of the same folks who keep “not very good” Olive Garden busy could conceivably provide some business for a relocated Venuti’s.
I didn’t know that about reversing the flow of Market Street!
Supposedly, April 19th is the last day for Proof.
I am so bummed that Proof is closing. It’s such a great place to sit outside in the morning and watch the city come alive. Where can you find a bakery as good as Proof? Hope this isn’t a result of Starbucks!
Venuit’s had very little to offer, their garlic rolls were awesome, they had a great location and great potential. They never took advantage of either, out with the old and in with the new. The building is a goldmine lets hope that some one sees the oppurtuinty and takes advantage of it.
How can you say that is a “goldmine” location considering the track record of every business in that vicinity. The stairs completely block the front view of the restaurant and due to downtown regulations and awning cannot be put up to catch people’s eyes as they drive by. Im pretty sure if you check with every business on that block, none of them are setting the world on fire unless they relocate.
Venutti’s at FSK? Sounds weird!
I do not want to see Proff close! They are awesome!
I’ve heard that Proof is closing because Micheal Tauraso is opening a barbecue restaurant across the street and a little south from La Paz.
Where is Proof? I’ve never heard of it and I’m usually on top of restaurants in town.
It’s on East Patrick St. downtown, near Quynn’s Attic. It’s more a pastry/bakery than a restaurant.
True, Michael is opening a barbecue/rib place in the 100 block of South Market, but really wish he wouldn’t give up Proof!
I wonder if Cafe Nola opening almost next door had anything to do with Proof closing.
Dunno how, there’s not much similarity between the two, aside from coffee.
My husband to be and I had already booked our rehearsal dinner their and put our deposit. We found out they were closed when we went to take family to see the place last week. Lets just say we flipped because they have our $200 deposite. Anyone know how we can go about getting that back? Any help would be great.
There is a sign on Proof’s door that says:
No Worries.. Proof will reopen in about a month after some light renovations.
Darn. I was hoping for a Korean eatery.
Seriously Dude, we need a good Korean Restaurant. Does anyone know whatever happened to Mrs. Pak of the formerly awesome ( and sadly demolished) Hana’s?