Primo closing

Wow, Robin dropped me a note about Primo closing...I am so sad to hear that...anyone and everyone who headed to L-ville, I put Primo on the list. And then in reading all this, I saw that Baer's closed, too?!? That was the most awesome shop ever...I'm reeling with news of both these closings.

here's to better times ahead and the return of spots like Primo. And Baer's.

b

A glimmer of hope, quotes from the CJ:

Longtime Louisville restaurateur Bim Dietrich said rumors he'll close Primo Restaurant & Bar (445 E. Market St.) aren't wholly true, though it's possible. When he opened the contemporary Italian spot three years ago, he and many other downtown business owners believed traffic to the area would grow and better support their businesses, but he said those hopes haven't materialized fully.

"We thought there'd be more real people on the ground down here by now … there's not enough density right now," said Dietrich, who owned Dietrich's and Allo Spiedo. He's thankful that business from regulars has been constant, but said more patronage from newcomers is necessary to stick it out. "We've thought about what to do here long and hard; this is not a snap decision."

Closing the restaurant, he added, is only an option, "but not the only option. We have some interest in keeping it open, so we're keeping all our options open."

Whatever happens, if Primo closes, it will be a great loss for the restaurant scene. Our family of three loves the pizzas and we will miss Bim and the staff if the rumors are true.

I just spoke with Bim Dietrich's daughter-in-law and she verified that September 20 is the last day.

A glimmer of hope, quotes from the CJ:
Longtime Louisville restaurateur Bim Dietrich said rumors he'll close Primo Restaurant & Bar (445 E. Market St.) aren't wholly true, though it's possible. When he opened the contemporary Italian spot three years ago, he and many other downtown business owners believed traffic to the area would grow and better support their businesses, but he said those hopes haven't materialized fully.
"We thought there'd be more real people on the ground down here by now, there's not enough density right now," said Dietrich, who owned Dietrich's and Allo Spiedo. He's thankful that business from regulars has been constant, but said more patronage from newcomers is necessary to stick it out. "We've thought about what to do here long and hard; this is not a snap decision."
Closing the restaurant, he added, is only an option, "but not the only option. We have some interest in keeping it open, so we're keeping all our options open."

Looks like we have a conflict here, hopefully the CJ story is correct but I'd bet that their information is old and the information Ellen got from Bim's daughter-in-law is the correct information. If there's a possibility they're not going to close I hope that people thinking they're closing doesn't hurt their business too much so they're forced to close.

I worked at one of his restaurants many years ago. His son was born on the day the sewers 'blew' - lucky Friday 13th. I don't remember which month. It was 1981? I still see a few people who found work at the Bristols and never left.

Does he have 2 sons? JoAnn and I were both pregnant at the same time. I had my daughter in Aug '85.

[Robin Garr]

We just got back from a sad but wonderful final dinner at Primo, and in case anyone was still wondering, that very strange little article in the CJ Saturday referring to the closing as "rumors" was totally off base, as we might expect from Gannett. Saturday night will indeed be the last day for Primo, and that's non-negotiable.

We talked to Bim and extended our condolences, and he said he's got a bunch of really good consulting gigs lined up; it appears that the staff is coming in for soft landings, too ... Ashley, our most excellent server tonight, is heading straight for Jack's, for example.

We had to have a pizza, of course - the Radda, with Italian sausage, arugula and spicy tomato sauce - and a bowl of tagliatelle with veal polpette and mushrooms, this in loving memory of the Allo Burger which used the same bodaciously delicious meat. Two Mista salads, a luxurious little chocolate lava cake with a dash of Amaretto, and a really good bottle of Umbrian red wine from the $20 list.

Salutes to Bim, who's been a key player in the Louisville restaurant scene all the way back to the Bristol 30 years ago. Oh, how I hate to see Primo go.

is all I can say.

We too are extremely sad to see them closing. Hopefully Bim will be opening a new place soon. We certainly wish everyone there good luck!

I'm very sad as well. First Myra's then Deitrich's.....
(Heavy sigh)

[Robin Garr]

I'm very sad as well. First Myra's then Deitrich's.....
(Heavy sigh)

Don't forget the Bristol, Lily Langtry's, Allo Spiedo and Red Lounge!

Very sad, as Primo is just an all around great place.

This is indeed very sad news.

We are so, so, so sad to say goodbye to Primo. We are planning one last visit tomorrow night for pizzas. I will miss the Venezia and my daughter calls the Nicola the best pepperoni in town. She's really bummed. We hope to find out where the chef ends up so we can follow him for the wonderful pizzas. Best of luck Bim and crew. We'll miss you.

My boyfriend and I went Tuesday night for a farewell dinner. I had the free-range chicken diavolo with spicy mustard sauce, and he had the divers scallops with blood orange mostarda cream. They were both delicious, with the chicken being the highlight - the mustard sauce was grainy and had a little kick to it, and the chicken itself was divine inside and out. A lovely bottle of crisp sicilian white wine and a chocolate torte filled in the blanks.

We love what Bim did with Primo. It was one of the most consistent restaurants in town - consistently great food and fantastic service. You could do it up with entrees and the whole nine yards, or have an affordable meal of pizzas and a $20 bottle of wine. We will miss doing both.