Reported Changes at Avalon

Last week's edition of Business First reported on upcoming changes at Avalon. The owner, Steve Clements, reports that they intend to "downplay the upscale identity". They will replace the artwork on the walls with photographs, and tables will be covered with recycled brown paper. He's looking for a "more hip, "loungey" feel".

Clements is quoted:

We're going to redo the interior of Avalon to make it seem not so nice.

I guess I know what he meant, but that's a unique way of putting it (or maybe he was misquoted or taken out of context).

Avalon has always been in our local lineup after the question "Where do you want to go?" We're looking forward to checking out the changes.

I've always liked Avalon and the art work, it's the prices that keep me from going there as frequently as I would like to. The cocktails are too expensive.

Lisa, the article says the new menu will feature items in more varied portion sizes and prices, with "a heavier focus on 'small, lounge plates of food' rather than large dinners."

They cite an example that a fish ’n’ chips dinner might be offered in a dinner-size portion for about $15 and a smaller portion for about the half the price.

Maybe they'll react to your comment and reduce cocktail prices, too(?)

it always makes me a little nervous when an established restaurant undertakes a change in identity.
i wish the peeps at avalon the best and hope everything comes up roses for them.

That's pretty cool - I think it's a very wise choice for Steve. I wonder when this is going to start. Anyone?

is it possible all these changes are due to the economy?

Annemarie, I am sure all these changes are due to the economy. It seems that upscale dining is one of the first things people give up in a bad economy, I saw the same thing during the late 80's and early 90's.

I know that everyone is talking about the economy hurting our restaurantsrestaurants
Edit... but in the for what ever it's worth column, for the past three weekends I haven't been about to even get a chair at the bar much less a table, and it was early in the evening around 6:00 P.M. i.e. Napa, Cheese Cake Factory, Italian Martini, Fish Market, Jack Fry's, and Stoney River Grill. We then went to Valare, which is always wonderful with the half price bottles of wine and the food is always excellent. We had the stuffed eggplant and the crispy duck, it was soooooo good. Bobby J and Michael Roy was the entertainment and we had a fabulous time as always!