Press release from Il Piatto
March, 9, 2012
Dear Clientele,
Seventeen years ago, while searching for a restaurant space a sign read, “Anyone looking to start a business-call this number”. Thanks to a quarter a nearby phone booth and some luck we created our business Il Piatto.
We are sad to inform you that we will be shutting our doors on Sunday, March 18.Although this is an extremely difficult decision, it is one that is well thought out and necessary. People say in business, don’t make decisions with your heart.
This would be impossible. The friendships that we have developed over the years and the experiences we have shared have been life changing. Cooking Italian food for the Portland Community has been one of my greatest joys and yes, it is an emotional decision to close our doors.When I think back of the beginning, it is hard to realize that 17 years have gone by. Our children are almost grown and we have watched the food scene in Portland blossom as well. Over the last year,we realized it was time to start a new venture.
There is no end. There is no beginning. There is only the passion of life.- Federico Fellini
With each ending, there is a new beginning. Sometime in the Spring of 2012, a new restaurant will be born. We are excited and eager to share our latest endeavor with you, The Slide Inn.But first, a bit of personal history. Eugen’s family bought and ran a small Inn in the Northern Sierra Mountains in the early 1970’s called “The Slide Inn”. Eleven year-old Eugen soon became the cook preparing American and German cuisine. Eugen learned the joy of cooking during these formative years. Thereafter, Eugen and his Mother moved to Germany, here Eugen began a Chef’s apprenticeship.
This next venture will capture the nostalgia of this earlier time. We will serve American comfort cooking, with a play on German cuisine. There will be traditional favorites such as Sauerbraten, sausages and apple strudel. Of course, there will also be options for Vegetarians and those preferring gluten-free meals.
The cuisine will reflect the unique experiences in Eugen’s life. We will feature small plate items with emphasis on lower-priced items. We will offer German and foreign beers served in traditional large beer steins.So this is not a good bye, I want to thank all of you for supporting our business over the years and letting us be apart of your lives. I want to thank my family who have been supportive and understanding for all the weekend and nights that I was called in for duty. I am excited to share, The Slide Inn with you and I will keep you posted on opening dates.
Jade Lounge will continue to be open during construction and renovation.
In Germany we have an expression, we never say goodbye we say “Aufwiedersehen” which means until we see you again.
Eugen & Lenor Bingham.
We invite you to like our new facebook page
Jim says
Guess the Google Offers and Living Social and probably Groupon and others didn’t work out for them.
Would be curious to know whether many businesses survive after doing multiple deal sites.
Food Dude says
My personal observation is that these types of offers tend to be a last gasp before a restaurant goes under
Eugen Bingham says
Dear Commentators,
This was not a decision because of google, but more a realization that I felt I wanted to do something new. il Piatto could have continued for years to come, but truthfully we decided that since our returns were not what we needed, and after 17 years of doing the same concept it was time for a change.
We are exited to open up in the next months as something totally new which goes back to my roots. Having grown up in the industry working as an 11 year old in a ski lodge in the Sierra Nevada’s and having lived in Germany and performed a 3 year apprenticeship. This is a culmination of both worlds and we are proud to announce the opening of “The Slide Inn” in the coming months.
Lisa says
I am very happy for Eugen, Lenore the neighborhood & Portland. Chris Israel showed us how great Alpine cuisine can be. I can’t wait to taste more. I wish them lots of good luck, happiness and prosperity!
mzwong says
I look forward to giving the new place a try. Though Il Piatto is just a few blocks from my house and I used to work there, I long ago abandoned it due to quality issues, as well as pricing. It will be nice to have a breath of fresh air in that building! Hope it does well.