Merende To Close After This Weekend
The News Tribune is reporting that another one of our favorite Tacoma restaurants is closing its doors. Merende, in the 800 block of Pacific, will close after this weekend. The restaurant is searching for investors. So, depending on how it goes, the they could be back.
Link to The News Tribune
Previously on Exit133:
Merende is Open
A Conversation with Jeff Bishop
Filed under: tacoma-business, Eating-Local
28 comments
B Bett January 28, 2010
Young Professionals Network is having an after work event here tonight to support Merende. Hope to see the whole community there!
E Erik B. January 28, 2010
Sad. However, Merende’s is renovated for another restaurant there.
P Papasan January 29, 2010
“And another one gone, and another one gone. Another one bites the dust.” -Queen
A Altered Chords January 29, 2010
I really liked the food there. I liked Stadium Bistro too. I have never eaten at Pacific Grill. If I were them, I wouldn’t let me in.
S Squid January 29, 2010
The food at Merende was very good, but I have to say, they really did some curious things with the renovations and decor. I liked the space itself better when it was Vin Grotto.
S Squid January 29, 2010
Chords: you are missing some seriously good bar food at Pac Grill. And almost shamefully cheap if you go for lunch after 2:00. You’ll have to wear long pants and a pair shoes with the toes covered to feel comfortable though.
A Altered Chords January 29, 2010
Dear Squid. I denounce your suggestion that I wear shorts and sandals. You must have me confused with alteres states of mind or plain chords.
N Norma January 29, 2010
Will Vin Grotto return to its old home? Word on Facebook is that Kris is looking at spaces….
A Altered Chords January 29, 2010
imho Merende’s remodel looked great. All 2 people that I took there agreed. “This looks great” they both said.
L Loves to Dine January 31, 2010
Ate there last night. NOT impressed. $75.00 for flavorless, bland risotto & cappallini. $8 for 3 prawns that had a strong fishy taste, which were probably bad. They were out of just about everything on the menu. Horribly made drink. Nothing interesting for desserts, all lemon something; gross. Not surprised they are closed.
A Altered Chords January 31, 2010
Going to a restaurant just before they shut the business down does not sound like a promising culinary experience. Did you really expect fresh ingredients and passionate chefs and bartenders? It’s like being in high school that one day after finals are over. Or your last day on the job after you’ve already given your 2 week notice and everyone knows you’re leaving. You don’t go to work that day thinking “I’m going to really give my all today”. I’ve been there for lunch 2 or 3 times and every time it was awesome.
J Jake January 31, 2010
I ate there last night and thought everything tasted great. It was busy when I got there and took about 15-20 minutes to get a table. Had 3 small plates and a flatbread and it all tasted fresh and was filling. The wine pour did seem a bit stingy but other than that everything was good. 2 full people for $45 isn’t bad.
R rightwingrick February 3, 2010
I’m hearing rumors that Merende may be saved (one hopes it’s true)!
To the patron that ate there on the day before they closed (in hopes of a new investor)….goodness, what did you expect! I’m sure they had not just replenished their stocks and supplies! And with lots of mourning foodies coming in to say maybe a permanent goodbye, the menu was likely increasingly limited.
The word around Tacoma over the last year has been that, along with Pacific Grill and Primo Grill, Merende was/is one of the areas absolute best restaurants. I’ve been there three times, and every time was exceptional.
A Altered Chords February 3, 2010
I’ve eaten at Merende and Primo and found them both to be fabulous. I have not eaten at Pac Grill but will soon.
But what about Maxwells? I found Maxwells to be great also.
But back to Merende. I really hope it survives. If new investors come in, please post about it and let us know.
D dni February 4, 2010
I heard a rumor today that Maxwells is moving its location to Pacific… So sorry to hear about Merende. Tough location, and tough times all around. Has anyone heard when the “Wood” is due to open?
J Jake February 4, 2010
I have heard the Maxwell’s rumor as well from multiple people.
C crenshaw sepulveda February 4, 2010
How could Maxwell’s possibly abandon the Walker? Surely it has a prime location that was well thought out in advance. I heard somewhere that the neighborhood would soon be known at the “Mount Saint Helens” neighborhood because of all the excitement there.
A Argentius February 4, 2010
What does this town have to do to keep a restaurant open?
I’ve eaten at Merende a few times, always impressed by the food — a few quirky things, they can’t seem to decide where their market is, but, over all, a fave.
I’m vegetarian, so of course my tastes may be different than others’, but the portion sizes and prices of their “small plates” were pretty great.
It’ll be sad if they go. Tacoma is looking like a ghost town.
Why the heck am I considering staying here, I wonder sometimes? I WANT the city to thrive, I really do.
D dni February 4, 2010
Good one crenshaw.
C CA February 5, 2010
“I heard somewhere that the neighborhood would soon be known at the “Mount Saint Helens” neighborhood because of all the excitement there.”
And then the Great Recession hit.
T TacomaThinker February 5, 2010
Two words: Infinite Soups
I think T-town’s restaurants close quickly because they’re all targeting the same crowd. There are only so many people who want to spend $10-12 on lunch.
Find a way to get to $5 and keep the quality and we’re a step closer to Urban Life.
D dale rush February 5, 2010
What’s the address of the re-located Maxwells ?
Could be the start of something good on Pac. Ave. closer to only pulse it has !
A Altered Chords February 5, 2010
Bartender at Maxwell’s told me they will be moving “mid to late summer to Pac ave. Near Hell’s Kitchen on the other side of the street. No address given but there is a vicinity.
J John Idstrom February 5, 2010
$5 lunch is unrealistic. I’m afraid you are limited to Subway at that price, or a takeout sandwich at Stadium Thriftway. Not even Infinite Soup can do that. Their bowl is over $5 (with tax and a tip it is more like $6), and not even a place to sit down.
What Tacoma really needs is more people who can and are willing to pay $12 for lunch.
C CA February 5, 2010
“What Tacoma really needs is more people who can and are willing to pay $12 for lunch.”
For that we’re gonna need much more employment. Unfortunately for Tacoma, we’re going in the opposite direction.
Clearly our past attempts at luring large employers to Tacoma has had mixed results. We need to try something different. That “something different” should be, in my opinion, becoming a vibrant college town full of educated people-lets expand UWT as quick as possible. If we can reach a critical mass of college students and graduates in Tacoma the employers will follow, as well as the cultural/artsy attractions we all like.
UWT can be our new Russell.
A Altered Chords February 5, 2010
I’m eating a lunch right now that cost less than $5.00.
A banana and several handfuls of mixed nuts. My cost is about $1.53
“Altered Chords Cafe Grand Opening – Health smart lunch special: Amazon Jungle combo meal – an Ecauadorian banana at the height of ripeness and 4 ounces of omege-3 packed macadamia, pecan, almonds and Brazil nuts(may contain peanut oil).
Replenish your potasium, increase your good cholestorol and lose weight.
Today only $4.98”
Oh darn, I forgot. It’s illegal to sell food on the street.
Look for our new storefront soon.
We will not have white tablecloths.
Y You're Welcome February 6, 2010
Actually Infinite soups can be had for less then $5. A cup of soup (small portion, just the way I like it), a can of coke, and free crackers. + tip = less then $5.
And if you go to the other Infinite soup located on the Commerce level of Sanford and Son, they provide plenty of seating and a restroom. Get there early though, the soup selection sells out fast.
Y You're Welcome February 6, 2010
Oh, and sorry to the good folks at Merende. Sad to see you go.