France laments the drip drip loss of its bistros.
In the U.S it feels like love in reverse for restaurants with closings picking up pace as highlighted by U.S. restaurants starved for business (LA Times, August 21).
Article notes that in the past year, the number of restaurants operating has 'dropped for the first time in a decade."
They also state that California has one third of the closings.
The article by Sharon Bernstein also suggests that many other eateries are treading water and that chains are not exempt from the fall in business.
My take on that side of the business is that with many of their locations in malls, the drop in shopping trips must hit sales.
Maybe long term changes are not all bad.
Do we need to spend $10 to $20 on a salad or a pasta dish which on occasion might just taste average?
Are many diners deciding to make many restaurant trips a special occasion?
Will creativity and talend matter and be rewarded?
One spot quoted as hurting is Zach's Cafe in Studio City, LA.
After taking a look at their website, I think they might benefit by giving it a makeover and rekindle some of the attraction.
In a related piece Steve Dolinsky notes that in Chicago recent openings like Masu Izakaya barely lasted a few months. Place looked nice in a spartan way.
(* photo of Masu Izakaya from Steve Dolinsky's piece)