Trixie's List shared the news today. Banque is closing for the summer.
The following is quoted from the statement published on Trixie's List:
Like many hospitality businesses, we have faced ongoing staffing challenges that have made it increasingly difficult to deliver the level of quality, hospitality, and experience that has always been at the heart of Banque. Rather than compromise those standards, we believe it is the right time to step back, regroup, and thoughtfully consider what comes next.
This is not necessarily goodbye. We remain deeply committed to the vision behind Banque and are exploring what the next chapter may look like. While we don’t yet know exactly what form that will take, we are excited by the possibilities and look forward to sharing more when the time is right.
Oh please stay open I will miss the delicious pear tart and many other delicacies
ReplyDeleteThis is the place with the $28 burger, right?
ReplyDeleteI've been to Banque several times and always had a lovely experience. From the first time I entered, however, I worried that the lavish and extravagant interior renovation seemed to promise something that no mere food establishment could deliver. The scale of the place is such that 20 customers could be inside, and it would look deserted. That might have deterred some street traffic.
ReplyDeleteQuality costs. And their pastries are absolutely delicious!
ReplyDeleteThe pastries and chocolates were great. The experience was always awkward, in my opinion. I think they would have benefited from a more seamless grab and go system for coffee and pastries; where you could just go to the counter, pay, and be on your way. That would have brought more consistent patronage from people that actually live here during the week. But instead it was: go past the host stand, get someone at the counter and announce you just want coffee and a snack, then walk to the other side of the counter to pay while they pack your pastry like a diamond Tiffany tennis bracelet. Also, that merch area in the front was wasted and could have been a great casual area to enjoy counter service. Anyway, my two cents. Beautiful place. I imagine whoever puts a raw bar behind that glass counter would make a big splash. The interior kinda reminds me of a restaurant like Balthazar (gasp, in “The City”).
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't the $28 hamburger that gave them second thoughts....it was the difficulty of hiring workers.
ReplyDeleteIt's so hard to get good help these days.
Hard to find workers when the people who would have been your employee pool have been priced out of the area by people who think a $28 burger is no problem.
DeleteExactly, Mike. I wonder what starting wage Banque offered its servers and other staff
DeletePeople need a living wage.
ReplyDeleteGuessing that was a problem.
According to the commentariat, if people can’t live on the wages that local restaurants pay them, then they should start their own businesses. Not sure how that helps the businesses who can’t fill positions. Not sure how many service workers are ready to start businesses. Not sure what the lucky few who successfully start businesses are supposed to do when they also need employees, what with everyone they’d hire becoming entrepreneurs instead.
DeleteImagine the tips...That's $6.00 for handing a person a hamburger...in my book, that's not bad. If you honestly remember what Warren Street looked like in the middle 1980's.. you would be thanking those who restored Warren Street to it's former beauty.
ReplyDeleteInflation is terrible! A $28.00 burger would cost about $6.88 in 1980. Not Mc Donald's prices but maybe St. Lawrence Tavern or Bucci's... maybe even Kozel's.
ReplyDeleteThere are far too many expensive resaurants in Hudson. This one failing is just survival of the fittest.
ReplyDelete