First things first: Bodo’s founder Brian Fox has sold the venerable 20-year-old bagel business to his three general managers, Connie Jenson, John Kokola and Scott Smith. Fox lays out the whole story himself on page 42—but definitely stay tuned to this space in coming weeks for more behind-the-bagel coverage.
It’s just a little pot
Restaurantarama believes in democracy. After all, we vote with our dollars every time we choose one eatery’s pig feet over another’s paella. And, being hedonistic types, we like democracy best when it’s entertaining, as it was during City Council’s comedic June 5 debate
about some pot. Er, the Melting Pot. (Which, as previously reported, is a franchise fondue restaurant coming soon to the Holsinger Building on Water Street.) Fortunately for you, our dear cheese-addled readers, we were there to observe the scene as the democratic process melted down.
See, the Melting Pot wants to put up a wall sign with a logo representing a fondue pot. But the Board of Architectural Review nixed the sign in April. Says BAR member and Downtown businesswoman Amy Gardner, who represented the board to Council, “We find the image of the logo to be decorative, embellished and effusive,” meaning it doesn’t match the clean, modern building. Thus, says Gardner, the sign doesn’t meet the zoning guidelines BAR enforces, nor does it fit in with its neighbors on Water and Fifth streets. And it’s too damn big.
The Melting Pot appealed to Council, and here’s where the circus began. Council discussed this issue for no less than 53 minutes. During that time, the following events occurred: 1) Out of turn, Councilor Rob Schilling tried (over the pointed objections of Mayor
David Brown) to introduce a motion to approve the sign as submitted. He failed, but did manage to get this very odd sentence entered into the public record: “I’d be happy to entertain your ignoring it.” Um, thanks, Rob. We’re feeling happy, too. 2) Council proved its
leadership on font-size issues. 3) Famously verbose Councilor Blake Caravati slipped in a pun on “gaudy” (as in the Melting Pot sign) and “Gaudi” (as in Antoni, the Spanish architect).
Gardner says that the fact that Melting Pot is a chain was not part of the BAR’s discussion, but she does believe that, like any locally owned business, “They need to contribute if they’re going to take advantage of what the Downtown Mall has to offer.” Melting Pot franchisee Chad Hornik, who’s currently based in Richmond, professes great respect for Charlottesville’s jealously guarded charm. “I love the way Downtown looks,” he says, sounding hurt that anyone would suggest otherwise (and annoyed that the Melting Pot’s opening will be, if not delayed, more complicated).
In the end, the discussion was tabled until Council’s next meeting on June 19, giving Councilors another chance to showcase their cheesy opinions. As long as there’s nothing good on TV that night, Restaurantarama will be there. Look for our totally nonpartisan picket sign: “Logo or not, we want the pot!”
Smoking
Until very recently, hookah aficionados have mostly congregated at the Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar. Now they have another option: Basil, the Mediterranean place on 14th Street. Owner Raif Antar is offering hookahs between 2 and 6pm, when—let’s face it—there’s really nothing better to do than smoke mango-flavored tobacco, eat mezzes and jabber on with your friends. Antar hopes to attract a diverse crowd: “students, people from the [UVA] hospital, professionals who want to run away from the office, wives running away from their husbands.” Physicians and harried spouses, take note.
