Many of you have emailed me in the last two days after trying to make a reservation at Il Torchio, only to be told the ownership had changed.
This seems like a bizarre turn of events. Il Torchio, which opened less than a year, definitely had its growing pains. Many of you left comments about the price points, service and quality in the first month or so, but they really seemed to get their game together. In recent months, many people have emailed me and commented on how good the food and atmosphere were. And that makes this changeover all the more curious.
MARP, in response to my email asking what was up, said that they only knew that Il Torchio’s owners decided they no longer wanted to own both the building and the restaurant. (And as for Los Pollitos, they brought on a business partner, hence the name and menu change.)
Anyone one dined under the new ownership yet?
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17 Comments
I really hope the new owners keep the same chef. The food is fantastic. I am constantly raving about Il Torchio to anyone who will listen.
We really enjoyed it as well. I hope the food stays good.
This is pure speculation but I believe that this was the first restaurant the original owners ever opened so perhaps they had problems with their budget.
I laughed hysterically the first time I saw the prices on their menu. On principle I wouldn’t dine there. Food may have been OK (hearsay, mind you) but it’s still Myrtle Avenue.
I liked their food, and my husband ordered their paninis all the time. We’ll miss Il Torchio. I thought it was run by the same people who own Convivium Osteria on 5th Avenue (so it wouldn’t have been their first restaurant venture), no? Convivium is another favorite of ours.
Honey, the days of ‘Murder Avenue’ are done and gone. Let it go. Let people open up businesses for the many, many people who live and visit this neighborhood. Pluto’s and Rancher’s have closed up shop many years ago.
Hello… I live above Il Torchio… the owners/my landlord said that basically they’re in the real estate business, and not the restaurant business, so they passed the restaurant on to some family friends, who also own a place on Smith St. The new owner’s name is Sal. New menu is very basic Italian, at very reasonable prices. Given how basic the new menu is, I hope it’s just a temporary menu until they can get their specialties taste-tested. Haven’t eaten there yet.
[...] La Stalla), but they did take a new business partner. Il Torchio, however, has changed hands. [Clinton Hill Blog] Dumbo: Farmers-market season starts June 15 at the Main Street entrance of Brooklyn Bridge Park. [...]
I’ve had good and reasonably priced meals there when it was il torchio. At least it will be another restaurant, I like the space and its close to home.
Went two nights ago with my girlfriend and her family. EVERYONE there was so nice. The food was good and reasonably priced, they kept the same wine list that Il Torchio had, and they even gave us free Tiramisu.
The owner (I think that’s who it was at least) spoke to us and was very kind. He made it clear that he was looking forward to attracting a “younger” crowd.
I think they’ll do great. It’s a really good space.
walked past there yesterday to see the new name in “Anima” in italiano, soul/core. cento per cento italiano here and i thought the food was adequate, nothing worth the prices the past owners charged. they did a cuttlefish dish/ink sauced pasta that was probably one of the worst attempts of transporting the amalfi coast to myrtle ave. i sure hope the new owners follow the principles of good italian cuisine: let the product speak for itself. we’re not french, we shouldn’t cover everything in tomato sauces (after all, not everyone’s from the southwest of italy!!!)
JD, my comment about the prices has nothing to do with the Murder Ave of days gone by vs. the neighborhood as it is now. CH is an eclectic neighborhood that has an audience for a variety of restaurants. I saw the menu in the window and saw $30 entrees and I called BS. I actually do know my restaurants and have no problem spending money when it is worth it. But a place opened on Myrtle by a bunch of nobodies in the restaurant business and I question things. Word of mouth confirmed my doubts and I am not at all surprised to hear they have had a turnover in ownership.
CH has a really annoying trend of people opening restaurants that have no business doing so. In return for high prices we get alot of mediocre food and alot of bad service. I’m picky and I’m the first to admit. I like a good meal, I’ll pay for it, but if I am going to pay those prices I’m taking my business to a place that can back up those prices. Innovative, creative food, excellent service, and people who actually are in the business for a reason.
That said I wish the new owners luck.
hey JESS I wanna walk up to you and laugh hysterically in your face about maybe how poorly dressed you are or at something about you. Myrtle Ave is not your personal playground and what people charge for a meal is not ridiculous. Could you hold up to such judgement?? that said I wish you the best of luck, douchebag
Fighting on a blog is like being in the special olympics.
Evin if you win……..
ANIMA OPENING PARTY TONIGHT!!! come through! the food is fantastic and the garden is beautiful.. should be a good time.
I’m very sad that Il Torchio has closed. The place was beautiful and the food was fantastic. Chef Mario cooked authentic italian food straight from the heart. As for ROBERTS comments (June 6, 2008), ” a bunch of nobodies” – do I sense jealousy? Do you have the capacity, gutts and financial background to open your own restaurant? DIDN’T THINK SO! What did you have for dinner last night – Chef Boyardee – ahhh – wouldn’t say you know true Italian food – Do you watch the news, read the papers and observe the increase prices in food, gas and utilities? Ahh DIDN’T THINK SO! Maybe if you knew what costs were involved in running a restaurant you would think 2x’s before bashing others hard work and contribution to an up and coming community. Stick to your day job – N- quit the food critic gig!
Didn’t think I would go to a place worse than IL Torchio, but I did & it was in the same place……what are the chances of that happening??
I THINK CHEF MARIO IS GONG TO BE THE CHEF AT IL PORTO ON WASHINGTON AVE NEAR THE NAVY YARD..CAN ANYONE CONFIRM THIS??
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