Night has fallen on the 19 year old Chianti Cafe on West 4th. There’s a “Distress Act” notice on the door directing Elite Bailiffs to do their sad and final thing, the actual text of which reads:
You are hereby authorized and required to distrain all goods and chattels of Chianti Cafe situated at 1850 West 4th in the city of Vancouver in the Province of British Columbia, for the sum of $9,485.39 being one month’s rent due to me for same on the 1st Day of November A.D., 2007 AND proceed thereon for the recovery and the said rent and your lawful fees as the law directs and for doing this shall be your sufficient warrant, authority, and indemnity.
That must be lawyer speak, by the way, for “We think you’re really pretty and have assigned these facilitators with the job of pulling your trousers down.”
Now, I’m not going to pretend to shed a tear over its passing, though it’s never fun to see an aged stalwart fall. But let’s face it, this was a pretty shitty restaurant with bad food and amateur service on a stretch of road that has played witness to the swingin’ arrival of Gastropod, Fuel, the Noodle Box, Zakkushi, Browns, Bistrot Bistro. an a couple others in recent years (with Pinkys coming soon). 19 years is lucky for mangiacake Italian anywhere and a bloody miracle in Kits, but the owner, “Fred”, is a little down. This is from his website tonight…
Increased competition, a fast changing neighbourhood, Vancouver city council’s parking policies that allows more and more restaurants to open in each block, Carbs are bad for you, I could say things about a certain landlord but I will not the list goes on….many…many reasons…
And to all the new restaurateurs, a bit of sooth:
Life goes on…some new hot trendy place will replace Chianti’s but it will not be there 19 years later like Chianti was. Not going to happen. Vancouver is a tough town and its a lot harder than when a skinny 21 year old kid open the doors in 1988 with a dream.
That may be true, Fred, but you never know. RIP.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m not going to disagree…it was sub-par, and has been for some time.
I particularly like the letters I’d get mailed to my house wishing me a happy birthday (onyl been there once or twice and must have filled out a comment card).
What I remember…they always got the wrong day and always got my name wrong.
Two strikes…
darren
I never forgave Chianti’s for a plate of bad mushroom’s 12 years ago…………arrivederci
I liked the place.
Granted this was over 15 years ago. Chianti’s was my “go to” place for a candlelit dinner for 2 that wouldn’t break the bank.
Was it good? Couldn’t tell you, but it served a purpose and provided me with many great memories.
Ciao.
Cheap and Cheerful it was, but that is a lot of rent
I liked Chianti’s, plus it was one of the last (if not the last) place that provided an affordable dinning experience on West 4th. Unfortunately, the street has been taken over by the yuppy foodie scum that Urban Diner caters to. Chianti’s may not have provided been the best food, but it was authetic, gave large portions, had character and you didn’t need to own an SUV to eat there. It’s another sad statement about the way Vancouver is going. This city used to belong to everyone. Now it’s for the rich. Thanks, assholes.