I would love to see something go into the Aiello space. (Although I still mourn the coffee shop every time I drive by.)

I wonder how many restaurants DTL can support, especially in this time of a slow economy. Personally, I would like to see DTL have more retail choices. I realize this is a food-related blog, but I think the saturation of the area with eating establishments is a relative concern. Anyone else ever wonder about this?

All Ican gather is that weekday lunch-time, DTL must be a really hopping place. I'm guessing most of the eateries make their money then. I work in another town and only live in DTL and feel like I have the place "all to myself" most of the time.

good for him, i wonder if his place will be as overpriced as ricardo's

My sources tell me it will be Tuscan avant-garde with a hint of English stoicism. The flavors will linger, not loiter,on the pallet like autumns brow. I'm hopeful this mall of future antiquities will ripen with the ticking of lost euphemisms

He should buy fortunatos.
(sorry if that was mean)

Some other restaurant news: I was in Cafe Madrid in Chelms over the weekend for Tapas, Paella, and Sangria and the owner mentioned that they'll be moving into Skips Diner next year.

If I were Kevin, instead of leasing a space that was once a coffee shop in an area that's soon to be up-and-coming (and by soon, I mean 10 years), I'd totally lease a space like fortunato's - instead of having to order an entire kitchen's worth of new equipment, he could repurpose what's already there, and focus on creating an awesome menu. And if anyone's had the opportunity to try Kevin's food, you'd agree with me - he's got talent, and it would be nice to see him run his own place.
It's just a shame that Fortunato's isn't for sale - it should be - it seems like they don't even care anymore...

I would love to see a small cinema in DTL to add to week end night live. It would be great for the restaurants. Yes, I know showcase is at Plain St but I do believe a movie theater would be great. We lived in Waltham for six years and an Embassy theater opened while we were there. It is small and shows one "big" film and then independent films on all the other screens. Main Strret & Moody Street in Waltham are LOADED with great restaurants and the cinema added to traffic to all the restaurants. We would eat a great meal and walk to the movies, it was great to see the the area active.

Alp,
There was one down there years ago, then it was the Rialto bowling alley. There is just an empty building there now, it's next to the courtyard.

Darla,

That building is going to be a dance hall for MCC. It's great to see it re-used, but I think that was a mis-use. I would've loved for that to become a theater again.

I actually heard that a theatre is in the works for '09. A friend of a friend is the proprietor. I believe it will be independent films with a bar and a lounge area if I remember correctly.

JK's wife....what do you mean Fortunatos isn't for sale....not only has it been for sale for the past year...it hasn't been open since last Thursday - word on the street is that it won't open again.

In response to ALP's post about a cinema in downtown Lowell.

Our restaurant, Mickey's on Central Street, has worked a deal with a distributor to show movies on SUNDAYS from many different studios (licensed public performances with the studios, not us cheating).

We're trying to set up a kind of Chunky's experience with a few differences: we DON'T charge admission (keeps our license price down), and movies are second-run but recent hits (ie upcoming is Iron Man, Batman:Dark Knight, etc.)

We have an 8 foot diag high-def BIG screen (that's bigger than Michael Jordan, pretty big in a small restaurant) and great house sound system.

Get the list of upcoming movies and sign up for email notices at:

http://www.MickeyDoyle.com