09.03.07

Lease

Posted in First Blog at 10:05 pm by Erik

In the past 19 months since I closed the doors of Bandol, I have learned a lifetime of lessons.  Too many to describe here, but I have to tell you, all have become integral in mapping out my future.  In February of 06, right after I closed, I was sure I would reopen at LEAST by the summer.  Little did I know.  There were write-ups in the local papers, endless posts on food b-logs, and constant grapevine chatter.  I have had 19 months of the same, as well as a rollercoaster ride of “almosts”, “what-ifs”, and “I will never open a restaurant again in Portland”’s

Real estate has been difficult.  I have looked at a bunch of different options as far as location, size, concept, investments, etc.  Some were great, some may have been great, but none of them stuck.  19 months of frustrating learning.  But the key word here is “learning”. 
The lessons given by my peers have proven invaluable.  Whether or not they KNEW they were schooling me, I don’t know.

I have run Ladle, and look forward to a busy autumn/winter/cold spring.  I have worked at Bar Lola, a restaurant where the food and service is actually FUN.  Fun food?  I thought food was serious stuff, and that the only way to make it good was to stress about it.  I did that once, and my hair started turning grey at 27.  I cook, see and taste the food at Lola, and I have a new appreciation for high-end delicious food.  Without the stress.  (well, maybe it is because I don’t own it….I’m only a puppet.)  But Stella and Guy work long, strenuous hours to ensure the entire experience is positive, tasty, comfortable, laid back, and beneficial to the employees who work there.  I feel like I have aged 10 years from Bandol, and they run marathons and ride bicycles.  And STILL maintain a level of excellence most restaurants strive for.  And look 15 years younger than what they actually are.  Lesson learned.

I have secured a lease, and have received the keys to a space in town to build and launch a restaurant.  Some know where it is, because I have told them, but I will be sending out a note soon with the details, etc.

Erik

 

5 Comments »

  1. Erin said,

    September 5, 2007 at 12:20 am

    Yeah! Bandol is coming back! Not soon enough, but better late than never. If you want some more inspiration, head out to Yountville and check out Redd….We’re in California now and this is the closest I’ve come to perfection (aside from Alinea, French Laundry & of course, Bandol).

  2. HH said,

    September 7, 2007 at 1:45 pm

    Any chance that the new Bandol will have some a la carte menu options? I never wanted to pull the trigger on a mandatory 70-dollar prix-fixe initial experience, and that’s what kept me from coming in to the former location.

  3. Terry said,

    September 18, 2007 at 10:48 am

    Erik –

    Can I get a deuce for Saturday night, around 7:30 and then not show up without calling?
    ;)

    Cannot wait to try the new place.
    We love Bresca, btw.

  4. Uncle Pudding said,

    September 25, 2007 at 7:15 am

    How much longer will you be at Bar Lola?

    Can’t wait to try the new venture. Best of luck!

  5. Rumor Has It « Wait-and-See Pudding said,

    September 25, 2007 at 7:18 am

    [...] Rumor Has It I have dirt! Word is Erik Desjarlais is finally ready to open a new restaurant here in Portland! He’s signed a lease in an excellent location (recently vacated – wink, wink, nudge, nudge) and hopes to be up and running in November. I can’t wait! [...]

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