Monday, December 15, 2008
Urbano Paninoteca on McKinney in Uptown Dallas closed
Email
|
Print
|
Tell us your story
|
Comment (1)
|
DALLAS Urbano Paninoteca, an Italian mom-and-pop on McKinney Avenue in Dallas' Uptown district owned by Mitch and Kris Kauffman, closed over the weekend after 6-1/2 years.
"We don't blame the economy, though it certainly didn't help, for the closing," said Kris. "Catering was way down as some of our top clients went through layoffs, and others simply cut back to deal with the reality. But for us, the real issue was that we couldn't make dinners work."
Urbano started off in a small spot on Fairmount Street before moving to its current spot across the street from the now-razed Hard Rock Cafe, which was previously occupied by Le Paris Bistrot, another independently-held restaurant with excellent that struggled to find an audience. But the Kauffmans don't blame their location.
"I think it was probably because our lunch identity -- with counter service, sandwiches, pastas, and salads -- fought with our dinner concept which offered table service, grilled meats, seafood, risotto, and a great wine list.
The couple is considering its next move, which could include reopening as a breakfast/lunch place downtown, re-concepting in the current space, or doing something else somewhere else.
Related stories
- Pegasus News week in view: White Elephant edition (Dec. 18, 2008)
See more stories in:
Find...
Today
Candlelight Vigil for Soldiers at Fort Hood Just a day before Veteran's Day, UT-Arlington students remember the soldiers wounded and killed at Fort Hood on Thursday. The public is invited to share this somber event with students. More info
Latest comments
- genghis65 on Dallas city leaders plan to help homeless: I have lived in downtown since 2004 and have only seen the homeless problem increase since the openi...
- Jason Rice on Lewisville resident breaks Guinness World Record for longest drum roll: ok that snare is definitely DEFINITELY hot. True enough. (no really, witness, ye, a moment of non-sa...
- dianamoya on The Living Opera in Richardson shut down permanently: Are you guys doing Educational Outreach Tour? We would like to see what you do. We’re in Frisco,TX...
- Collin Gouldin on Lewisville resident breaks Guinness World Record for longest drum roll: Not at all, i got a Guinness World Record. (and um… you did see that sweet snare right?)...
Latest reviews
- Colby Walton on Si Tapas and Spanish Cuisine: Just visited this place for the first time, and found the quality of the food, the service, the atmo...
- cindyallentx on India West Fine Dining & Lounge: I went to this restaurant last friday had a wonderful experience. Love the low light romantic feel o...
- jognmcdermott on India West Fine Dining & Lounge: This place has it all good food sweet service. I proposed to my fiance here it was perfect! we loved...
Things you can't miss
Latest stories
- Jupiter House Coffee opens new location in Denton
- St. Thomas Aquinas students inspire local artist to auction painting for art education
- Interview with comic Todd Barry: Rock halls versus comedy clubs
- The Brad reports on Stephan Pyles' 10th Celebrity Chef Dinner Sunday at Stephan Pyles Dallas
- Folks from Rogers Wildlife Rehab in Hutchins introduce us to their owl friends

Comments
alexander troup Verified
Closing events like this are also happening in the Central downtown area also,so why is it we should feel indiffrent about this kind of fate,... my thought, I will go by and say thanks and good bye, since they were in such an area for such a long time...The Cafe and Mom and Pop Hole in the Wall food place is the Instuition of Dallas life, while the fastfood Burger Box owned by Barons of Newsweek are here today and gone forever...A/T, Urban Food Observer.
10 months, 4 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Post a comment