Taste of Hawthorne Shut Down

We've just received word that Taste of Hawthorne, the home-based restaurant on Hawthorne Street, was shut down by the Department of Health shortly after the restauranat was the subject of a profile in the New York Times.

I can't say that I'm that surprised by the bad news. Before we blogged about ToH we made sure to ask if the proprietors even wanted us, with our extremely limited readership, to raise their profile beyond whoever they could flyer. A New York Times article that essentially admitted to operating without a license and made them easy to find probably forced the DOH's hand.

Comments

[Art Tatum]

Perhaps they would consider opening up in one of the vacant storefronts along Flatbush avenue. They would be warmly welcomed.

[carrie]

Unfortunately, they lack the hundreds of thousands of dollars necessary to start a restaurant there right.

[duh]

duh

[brn442]

Well said, I was baffled when they took a chance to be featured in the times for that very reason. They should now put a business plan together and try to do it the "legit" way.

[babs]

I kind of expected that having them mentioned in the Times would send the DoH right down there and wondered what they were thinking when they allowed that. But seriously, if their food was that good, perhaps they could partner with some area investors (like the people who were going to contribute to the Farmer's Diner) and open a small place, a la Blue Roost.

[Diageo]

Your last blog post about Taste of Hawthorne crowed that the Times picked up your blog coverage and then joked that they may or may not be shut down. What's funny about people losing their business?

[Tim]

Had the same problem with my meth lab when it became a Voice Choice.

[Matthew]

This may seem obvious, but the Taste of Hawthorne menu could be an excellent complement to the (also excellent) menu at the Blue Roost, which is not as broad on dinner entrees as it might be. Also, such a move would be completely in line with the Blue Roost's own apparent tradition, meaning that it (the BR) appears to have been incubated or inspired in part by the experiences of the principals during their tenure at K-Dog. Working together and passing along the know-how on opening a storefront might be a benefit to both businesses, and who knows? Maybe the Taste of Hawthorne ladies would soon be able to raise some capital for their own space.

Also, given the Blue Roost's present lack of delivery (or catering?) service, it again seems that Taste of Hawthorne could fill that gap in the Blue Roost's operations. Pair all of this with delivery service from 65 Fen and you've hit the bullseye. Definitely a "chocolate in my peanut butter" (TM) opportunity, if you ask me. (I wish someone had, can't you tell?)

I firmly support the efforts of both (really all 3 or 4 and more and more) sets of entrepreneurs as they follow their passion. I will do my best to spend my coffee and dinner dollars to show the local businesses that this neighborhood wants them to succeed!