Arrivederci (Goodbye) Carmella’s
Less than a year after opening, Carmella’s Trattoria has served its last plate of spaghetti Bolognese. A new restaurant called Sambuca’s will now inhabit its piece of prime downtown real estate.
Carmella’s employee Kevin said that he isn’t completely “in the loop” on the situation, but gave me the vital details including the name change. The restaurant closed for business on Saturday night, and renovations began immediately. Inside, all of the Italian-themed art that covered the walls is sitting on the floor near the front entrance. Red curtains cover the windows and trash cans block the doors. Huge, sparkly stars hang from the ceiling.
Kevin said that ownership is aiming to reopen some time next week, but could not provide any more details without an okay from the higher-ups. There is a well-regarded contemporary restaurant in Scranton called Sabuca Grille, but I’m not sure if it is in any way related to the new Harrisburg venture. Anyone with more details can feel free to fill them in below.
9 comments so far. Sweet.
Not related to the Scranton version - I should have full details in next week's column! http://www.pennlive.com/columns/patriotnews/bozich
Not even sure why they bother to re-open another Italian restaurant? I mean, the last two Italian restaurants have failed. That should tell you something right there. They should lease that space to a national chain steakhouse like Ruth's Chris or Flemings. It's a great location. Someone isn't getting the food right.
I was told by the previous manager and bar manager that the owners of Carmella's is turning the restaurant into a sports bar. I was told that about two weeks ago.
I have to say I'm pretty sad to see that spot go, I really enjoyed the atmosphere of the place. Bone you're exactly right though, the owner of this space needs to recognize that the strip needs more diversity, not just random name changes to bring people in the door. Ruth's Chris would have been a nice addition, too bad they aren't putting the new Melting Pot there.
The boiled down reason is simple, dark glass. Anyone who has any taste for marketing understands that a key dynamic in downtown HBG restaurants is capturing the excitement and allure of what's happening at the street level. This translates into open air eating and/or the ability to let onlookers see all of the beautiful people and what they're doing inside. Dark glass doesn't do it. It's not that it's Italian, look at all the restaurants that have failed, or haven't lived up to potential. One common denominator is dark glass, obscured views, or just outside of the downtown dynamic. This comment shouldn't be taken in a vacuum, I'm not saying dark glass doesn't work. I'm saying it doesn't work on 2nd street. The other reason it may have failed is due to the fact that the food wasn't so great either. If that qualifies as Italian, then so am I. I mean, everyone knows that it's just not Italian without the never-ending salad and bread sticks.
Perhaps it was also because the food was 1. overpriced and 2. not very good. The bar is pretty cool, though.
Looks like it is going to be Sam Bucca's Pizza Pub!!!! I dont get how this brings anything unique to the location other than not having to walk to palumbos or second st pizza after getting sloshed. I agree with Brian, that second street could use a prime steak house on second st. However, if one is craving good steak, Bricco is the place to go to as they do get good dry aged cuts from Olewine's
Carmella's food was excellent and way more Italian than the Olive Garden's (I lived in Italy). I hope they keep the lasagna at least. It is disheartening to see that an upscale restaurant with fresh ingredients and made to order entrees cannot succeed on Second St. Guess we'll have to settle for cheese steaks and giant beer placards. I wish a restaurant could succeed without using premade ingredients and without relying nearly entirely on alcohol sales.
opening a new restaurant that changes the name and changes the food but maintains the same ownership can provide a spike of customers who eat there. It takes a great restaurant to keep the people coming back.