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Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Bengal Coast in Dallas’ Oak Lawn closing on Saturday
Founder Mark Brezinski's Indian fusion concept was ahead of its time.
DALLAS — Email just in:
Dear Friends of Bengal Coast,
`
I hoped this day would never come but I am facing the reality that Bengal Coast is no longer able to sustain oprations. As hard as we have tried (and those of you who know us know this to be true!), and as loyal as you have been, the simple fact is that we are not able to fight this economy alone any longer. Our final day to be open will be Saturday July 31, so we want to take this week to celebrate the best part of the past two and a half years -- new friends and getting to know and serve all of you. Your support this final week would be greatly appreciated by all of us.
`
Come in this week for lunch or dinner and congratulate Chef Nevile Panthaky for all he has done to introduce you to his food, his culture, and his passion for sharing with you a piece of his world.
`
-- Mark Brezinski
In recent weeks, Brezinski had sent out emails asking customers if they would be interested in a different kind of concept in that space, such as a late-night lounge. Obviously, he decided against that.
While Indian fusion seems somewhat like a concept that's ahead of its time, Brezinski opened another similar Indian-fusion restaurant in April in Allen called Bistro Babusan.
Part of the problem was likely the Cedar Springs location itself, a mildly jinxed spot that has seen a number of concepts come and go. The Silver Fox right next door recently closed, too.
On Thursday, the restaurant will hold a "Toast to the staff" day, with Happy Hour prices all day and night, honoring the staff members who have been with the restaurant since it opened over two and a half years ago. Details:
"Come in and celebrate their wonderful contribution and thank them once again for all they've done: Ryan, Julio, Sara, Roberto, Martin, Brenton, Elpidio, Ray, Neville ... and me.
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OEsophagus, anonymous:
How many server timeouts do I have to go through to get to a story? I had to click this link THREE times to get it to come up. This happens all the time on this site.
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OEsophagus, anonymous:
Anyway, the last time I went to BC for lunch it was like walking into an empty cavern. Great food, but look out for the bats.
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OEsophagus, anonymous:
Oh, and having an all-day happy hour on Thursday is a great way to get rid of the surplus liquor. I've suggested that my friends office there for the day. When do they open?
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OEsophagus, anonymous:
BECAUSE WE WANT TO DRINK! Mrrrrrowwww!
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James Scott, verified:
Yeah, the food was great as well as the atmosphere, but way out of the way location (for me at least). Good luck in future endeavors, Chef Neville.
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Teresa Gubbins, staff:
James Scott, i guess you haven't made it all the way up to Allen/Bistro Babusan? same idea, basically, but i found it to be a little "fresher" than Bengal Coast. breezier
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Howard Wen, verified:
I liked the food and concept, but really the location just sucks. Apparently that entire building hasn't been working out too well for retail and restaurants over the past several years. (And also I would say that BC occupied a space over 2 times larger than it actually needed.)
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lakewoodhobo, anonymous:
I also enjoyed the food, but they could've benefited from a menu overhaul, maybe trying out different things. I will surely miss them.
But I agree 100% that the location sucks. The Centrum Building is NOT pedestrian friendly. They need to completely reconfigure the Oak Lawn storefronts into a well-lit and landscaped patio that attracts people.
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Howard Wen, verified:
As obvious and perhaps cliche as this sounds, BC might work really well now in the West Village, but with a smaller, more intimate-sized floor plan.
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James Scott, verified:
No TG, I haven't made it that far up north yet. My passport expired a while ago and I haven't made a point to get it renewed :)
I might have to give it a try now though.
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Mike5241, anonymous:
Too bad BC closed. I liked it, too, but its location ultimately doomed it.
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texrunner, anonymous:
I'm surprised it lasted this long considering its visibility and accessibility. Being on Oak Lawn and Cedars Spring, a restaurant should do extremely well there, but there are so many problems with that building. There is free self-parking, but there are no signs pointing that out, so people assume you must valet. Plus, the owner of the building is a foreign investor who refuses to "waste" money on improvements and updates.
I second the comment about reconfiguring the ground floor of the Centrum. There is so much extra space on the sidewalks facing Oak Lawn as well as on the interior patio. The building should capitalize on that space where restaurants can provide al fresco dining. But if people can't see the restaurant from the street or don't know where to park, a restaurant can never survive.
The only restaurant left is Steel and while popular, it is only busy a few nights per week.
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James Scott, verified:
I agree texrunner - the location is actually quite nice and very accessible - but it looks like a nondescript office building with nothing at all fun to offer. Some kind of updated signage on Oak Lawn would help.
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tweety088, anonymous:
Sad to see a good concept go, but Mark B will survive another day. He was an awesome person to work for at Tin Star and Pei Wei back in the day. I've heard great news about his co-run Zinsky's Deli as well!
Hope things get better with you Mark and the economy! Great Luck in your future endevours.
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Teresa Gubbins, staff:
Lisa Petty at NBCDFW talked to the chef:
http://www.nbcdfw.com/around-town/foo...
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What do you think?