I'm not one to stand in line for the opening of a movie. I won't camp out to be the first to buy the latest product from Apple. I figure if these things are any good, they'll be around for a while and I can take advantage of them when sanity sets in and the crowds die down.This was my thinking about Plate 38. As interested as I was in this new Pasadena restaurant, I wasn't in any hurry to get over there. But my usual method of operations didn't work for me this time. Just days after opening, a serious fire closed the place yesterday.
The location, on the northeast corner of Colorado Blvd. and Sierra Madre, had long been empty. (The window signs promising coffee taunted me cruelly.) The new owners put a lot of work into the place and took their time to make it right. I was willing to wait and I was glad when I heard they'd opened. I figured I'd get over there sooner or later.
Well, later. Robert Humphreys, the chef and owner, is quoted in the Pasadena Star-News saying he's not sure when he'll be ready to open the place again. Not soon. Maybe October. I wish him and his staff all the best.
Next time, I'll wait in line.
24 comments:
What a shame. Not arson, I hope.
I guess you were just not meant to have their coffee.
But glad you got a photo with the red fire engine.
Oh, how sad for the new owners! I do hope you get that second chance to queue...
I meant to post a photo on Facebook yesterday of the leaping flames and thick black smoke, with firefighters in action. I'll try to remember to do that (photos are in my City Hall computer).
We had engines and other apparatus from five stations that responded, and 44 personnel. Through a mutual aid agreement, one fire truck and four firefighters from Arcadia Fire Department responded as well.
Due to the initial location of the fire -- behind the exterior parapet wall above the ceiling -- it was very difficult for our firefighters to reach it and extinguish it. Three of our firefightera were injured.
This was a terrible tragedy for the restaurant owner and the building owner. The cause is under investigation.
I want to remind everyone that firefighters are always happy to have visitors at our fire stations, so please y'all, stop by if you're in the neighborhood, say hello and tell them thanks!
And I thank you, Petrea.
Oh, that is so sad. I can just imagine all the sweat, love and pride that went into opening that place.
How awful. I do hope they are able to rebuild and open again soon. And get a lot of people to stand in line. I checked their menu and I'd definitely line up for some Brioche French Toast with Nutella.
Thanks for the details, Ann. I hadn't known we could pop in and visit fire stations. I'll have to do that and ask for photos.
From the initial investigation (and I got all my info from the Star-News) it looks like the cause wasn't malicious. But yes, what a tragedy.
The Star-News has a lot of photos, too. Better than mine by far! Click on the link in my post that says, "a serious fire closed the place yesterday."
By the way, welcome, Tracy! I don't think I've seen you here before. Nice of you to drop by.
You're Petrea the news reporter now? This is getting better and better, especially when Ann contributes as well. Were you in the neighborhood or did you see the black smoke first?
Don't know about this fire, but many seem to be started by welders. Beware the welder on your roof.
I was really sorry to see this. Seems like a great location on an intersection that's seeing lots of improvements. And, I know you're not a coffee drinker, but they were serving Peets.
I was in the neighborhood, about three hours or more after the fire started. The fire was out and police were routing traffic around the area. A long line of traffic waited to head south on Sierra Madre (because we weren't allowed to turn left onto Colorado), so I had plenty of time to take a photo out the car window.
Michael, I'm not a coffee drinker at the moment, but I fully intend to drink coffee again one fine, glorious day. And I like Peets just fine.
thats the location of my dentist...
I hope you didn't have an appointment yesterday.
Any idea where the name "plate 38" comes from?
Yeah, I saw that dramatic photo in the Star-News. Too bad.
wow! and the owner is going to go thru a lot from the FD--b/c in the economy like this, fires "happen" to help improve the balance sheet---so the FD investigates hard.
We had a nearby building BLOW UP b/c of welders 1/2 dozen or so years ago. They were supposed to be fixing something, plumbing I believe, hit a natural gas line somehow and kaboom! We would have been in front of the bldg & worse for wear, but both felt ill so we avoided getting rocked.
Interestingly, I worked for Domino's for a short time MANY years ago for one night in that strip mall behind Plate 38. I worked at another store, but was sent there to help. Can't remember what WAS at Plate 38, if anything, but did laugh while looking at GoogleMaps at the "Evolution" fitness place across Colorado---that used to be a Home Savings if I recall correctly!
Hope they can repair quickly and get back to business so you can enjoy some of their selections soon!
and kudos to Ann for helping to feed the story!
Really? We can just stop in at a fire station & introduce ourselves? How cool is that?
Hey—mebbe a PasDaiPho opp …
So sad. I feel sorry for all involved.
Darn! I hate it when something like this happens. The smoked BBQ baby back ribs would have been my first menu choice. Im sure they will re-open bigger and better. I wish them the best.
Michael, I don't have the answer to your question, sorry.
Steve, the Star-News has a slide show. Pretty good.
Trish, fortunately there were lots of witnesses, so that ought to help in the investigation.
J, you read my mind.
I feel sorry for them, too, Margaret. I get the feeling that a lot of heart went into the place.
Thanks, Mark. Sounds like we're all wishing them well. I hope that helps!
And Trish, I forgot to tell you: Evolution has been torn down. I think they're putting in a chain drug store.
Well that's a shame P. Keep us up on their progress. I wish them well.
V
P---didn't mean to imply---just stating fact that a lot of places have "had fires", and the FD's are on high alert. So even if lots of folks saw it start, there will be lots of questions to answer. If it started in the soffit and ran around in there, it can be tough to contain.
LOL on Evolution being torn down...survival of the fittest, eh?
and yes, you can stop in at fire houses. if you're planning an event, you might want to call or email the captain first to make sure they are planning on being awake at that time...;-)
Plate 38
re Opened ON December 3RD 2010
Thanks for the good news, Anon. I'll put it back on my list.
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