The End of an Era – Blue Water Grill
Oct 23, 2008 St. Louis, missouri, restaurants
Hands down the saddest restaurant news I’ve heard this year, my former employer, Tim Mallett, is choosing not to extend the lease on Blue Water Grill and will be calling it a wrap Saturday November 8th. The news comes by way of their latest Great Restaurants customer email in which he said best what there is to be said about what he’s done for the St. Louis restaurant scene.
As we get closer to the end of 2008, we also approach the 20th anniversary of opening Blue Water Grill. Twenty years is a long time in the restaurant industry and I believe we have made a significant change to the St. Louis dining scene. We have introduced simply prepared seafood, tapas-style dining, wine flights, etc., and the idea that you could go out for a nice meal without spending a small fortune. They may seem like common practices now, but 20 years ago they were unheard of. I feel we have been successful at our mission statement of providing a high quality hospitality experience with emphasis on creativity, superior service and value.
But as we all know, we live in some very uncertain economic times that have made the restaurant industry extremely challenging. Our customers have less disposable income to spend on eating out and business has suffered. So when my lease is up in November, I have decided not to renew it. Blue Water Grill will serve its last customers on Saturday November 8th.
It really is a sad day. He was a great boss and I always admired his commitment to running his restaurants in a way that could produce consistently good food at an incredibly fair price.
Tags: Blue Water Grill, Tim Mallett
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October 24th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
It’s too bad — but mostly it’s too bad that Blue Water Grill never quite felt good after it moved off Hampton Avenue. The Kirkwood spot felt sterile and flat. It became a spot for Ladies Who Lunch. The food became ever so ho-hum. It was as if the got caught up in concept and forgot their roots. I live within walking distance but truly, BWG lots its appeal.
October 24th, 2008 at 10:58 pm
Blue Water grill was on the very forefront of hip, cool restaurants in St. Louis before St. Louis knew what hip, cool restaurants were. Tim Mallett has a great vision, great taste and great business sense. He is doing what is right for the times, for himself and for the other FABULOUS restaurants he owns, but it is bitersweet to me.
Some of the best memories of my life were spent in Blue Water Grill (the old one, and the newer one.) Tim Mallet, was, and will always be, the best boss I have ever had. He helped me map what I wanted my life to look like, and taught me everything I know about good food and wine.
3 things: Have fun, make money, and make a significant contribution to the St. Louis restaurant society. Blue Water Grill did that. I wish him continued luck.