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Friday, September 19, 2008

Crave Gets the Boot

posted by on September 19 at 8:56 AM

crave.jpg

The much-loved restaurant known as Crave has been unceremoniously kicked out of (the revolving door that is) the building formerly known as the Capitol Hill Arts Center. Owner Robin Leventhal says Crave has to be out by Halloween:

Finding a new location and moving in one month will be impossible. Crave might be taking an enforced break….

Boo.

RSS icon Comments

1

HA HA HA HA!!!!!

Posted by Cato the Younger Younger | September 19, 2008 9:01 AM
2

Jeez, that's pretty rude of the owner-dude. I like Crave.

Posted by Uncle Vinny | September 19, 2008 9:07 AM
3

Am I the only one who thinks Crave is way overrated...?

Posted by kid icarus | September 19, 2008 9:14 AM
4

@3-No, you are not the only one

Posted by someguy | September 19, 2008 9:22 AM
5

Ha..Ha..Ha. I am all for small business development and all but Crave was an uptight pretentious bitch with lousy food and service and should use this kick in the ass to think about how awful they are and move their ungrateful ass to the eastside. Bellevue would welcome them with open arms

Posted by Linda Derschangalangalang | September 19, 2008 9:23 AM
6

I am going to add my voice to the chorus of yawns.
It was at best a neighborhood bistro that behaved like it was a dining destination.

Posted by dirge | September 19, 2008 9:34 AM
7

They should move into the empty KFC building.


No, I'm serious.

Posted by Matt Fuckin' Hickey | September 19, 2008 9:42 AM
8

I very much doubt that Linda Derschang would leave a comment so tacky and inarticulate. Shouldn't that get yanked for sock-puppetry or something?

I only ever drank at Crave. The employees were nice and the drinks were good, but too expensive.

Posted by chaps | September 19, 2008 9:43 AM
9

I ate there one time: several hours later I was puking in my bathroom. Now, I am not saying anything but I can add 2 and 2 and that equals "No way in hell will I ever go back!"

Posted by Just Me | September 19, 2008 9:52 AM
10

I don't know why everyone is being so harsh I think that place is great. It's small, has a nice off beat location, serves up some sick brunch and has a really nice staff.... and no they are not personal friends of mine.

Posted by ?? | September 19, 2008 9:54 AM
11

@8

I think it's pretty obvious to anyone with a brain that it is not Linda Derschang. You must be part of her zombie army.

Posted by who cares | September 19, 2008 9:54 AM
12

Whatever you think of Crave (I happen to like it a lot) this is really bad news for the Hill - for small business owners on the Hill, at least. This is a place that has invested in Capitol Hill and has spent years building up a clientele and marketing Capitol Hill as a destination. And now - out on their ass, just like that? The landlord should be ashamed.

Posted by dr. thompkins | September 19, 2008 10:03 AM
13

Jerks. I guess I'm in the minority of people that think it's sad they will be going away.
I thought they were good and believe me I know over rated when I taste and see it.

Posted by Biggie J | September 19, 2008 10:04 AM
14

Crave is not bad.

But places that tiny can only just barely be called "open" in the first place, so it's not much of a change when they become "shut."

Posted by elenchos | September 19, 2008 10:10 AM
15

Their food was decent, nothing to write home about, but they were way too pretentious for me to support them by being a regular customer. I'm going to miss CHAC though.

Posted by phillip drummond | September 19, 2008 10:14 AM
16

horrible service, overpriced, uncomfortable. I went twice, both times the server seemed annoyed that I was even there, much less (the horror!) wanted a water refill.

Posted by Postum | September 19, 2008 10:15 AM
17

I gotta say, the haters on this one are getting on my nerves.

I can't even begin to count the number of meals I ate at Crave (including a lot of take-out) over the roughly two and a-half years my theatre company was in-residence at CHAC, and I never had a bad one in the lot. Robin and her staff were an absolute delight (perhaps familiarity breeds respect?), and those boxes of Pasta Fazool, Madame Craves, and Shiitake Mac & Cheese kept me going through an awful lot of rehearsals, meetings and work parties.

Good luck Robin, I hope you land on your feet, and stay on the Hill!

Posted by COMTE | September 19, 2008 10:19 AM
18

Meh. Never been a fan, though I've tried hard. I'd prefer to see a bar in there.

Posted by hohoho green giant | September 19, 2008 10:20 AM
19

I'm sorry to see them go too. I love going to Crave. This could be a blessing in disguise though - when Crave opens in a larger space with an updated menu, I bet it will be better than before.

Posted by blank12357 | September 19, 2008 10:22 AM
20

@12-Fuck you, this community building bullshit is driving me crazy. If they have really built up the community, then why do they not have a new place to move into? Or more support from the community?

Posted by someguy | September 19, 2008 10:40 AM
21

Move to 15th. Can we please put a looong piece of masking tape along the middle of 14th ave? Yuppies stay on that side, hipsters stay on this side. Gays get to use both sides due to a grandfather clause, but only if they're still flaming. We will trade you Boom Noodle for the Canterbury.

Posted by jrrrl | September 19, 2008 10:54 AM
22

Um gee fuckwad @20, maybe they don't have a NEW place to move to, because they JUST NOW found out they were being evicted.

@21:

Totally!

Posted by COMTE | September 19, 2008 11:21 AM
23

Crave has the exact same breakfast food as many other places on the Hill, except they charge a lot more. I mean, how the fuck does an omelette cost $14? And I don't mean one with truffles or exotic veggies, I mean one with ham and cheese and green peppers.

Posted by Matt Fuckin' Hickey | September 19, 2008 11:25 AM
24

I like Crave - it HAS been a destination on a part of 12th had didn't have much in the way of walk-by biz before they were there. But I can't help but take some comfort that for once a boutique-level business is getting the boot in favor of an arts center (Velocity).

I do wish Robin luck and hope she's able to find a new space on the Hill. Perhaps she can convince Ted Schroth that her business is worthy of the Oddfellows Building.

Posted by genevieve | September 19, 2008 12:08 PM
25

The quad of CRs...Crave, Crush, Crow, Cremant...now down to three.

Posted by Cornichon | September 19, 2008 1:40 PM
26

Wait--people dont like Crave? Proof of the misguided fools on the Hill. Crave is always friendly and always delicious. Their (not listed on the menu) iced tea is the best in the city and that little potato/latke/fritter item that comes with their breakfasts is a minor miracle. Crave is my go-to brunch spot when friends are in town. Few places are more intimate or consistent. Here's hoping for a triumphant return.

The rest of you, go suck on a flavorless Linda's hamburger.

Posted by asalaamalechem | September 19, 2008 2:50 PM
27

Thanks for the kind words to those of you who like the food there- I'm the daytime chef. I do try my best to give people something a little more interesting than your typical breakfast/brunch fare*. To those of you laughing at our situation well, what can I say? Tastes differ.

Anyway- I just say to say that you haven't heard the last word on this situation- it's a lot more complex (on both sides) than this little blog post makes it sound, and it is constantly changing. There is talk of a location downtown, or possibly staying in the CHAC building until the new year or longer. 76

*confidential to #23 'MatFuckin'Hickey': We don't serve denver omelets or anything resembling them, and the most expensive thing on the Brunch menu is $10. Thanks for being an uninformed hater. :(

Posted by justin | September 19, 2008 4:13 PM
28

for a town with a dearth of quality breakfast places, crave is one of my favorites. anyone who bitches about service is almost always a prada-wearing yuppie douchelord, and as justin says, the prices are totally in line with standard seattle pricing. i hope they find a place to land.

Posted by dreww | September 20, 2008 12:48 PM
29

Thank you all for your support over the past 5 years.

3 months ago when CHAC was kicked out we had been assured our longevity was secure. This week we were informed that we are no longer welcome and have one month to move.
We only want to make good food and satisfy the customer. Unfortunately we have not been perfect, however we have tried our best to please you. If you left angry I am sorry for that, however, next time you find yourself unhappy in a restuarant try saying so. I'll bet your server will offer up a different meal or at least a monetary compensation.

Silnce does not solve problems, but then neither does bitching after the math on line!

Here is to change as I am embracing it as an opportunity for growth.

Posted by Robin | September 20, 2008 1:31 PM
30

Good on you, Robin!

Posted by that was nice | September 20, 2008 2:06 PM
31

I gotta say I thought they had very good mac & cheese and their salads were great...plus every time I ate there the staff was very nice. Hope they come out okay. In terms of the negative tone found in some of the comments: bitter people often have bitter tastes.

Posted by dduke | September 21, 2008 1:00 PM

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