In 1933, Don Valle opened a small restaurant in Portland; so small it had only 12 seats. From 1933-1980 the Valle Steak House chain stretched from Maine to Florida with 34 restaurants under its mantle. Their specialty was a lobster and steak repast. The first one I remember seeing was the one that was in the heart of Woodfords Corner, directly across from the Odd Fellows Hall. It was a landmark at the corner from '33 til 1960. I remember the popular dining place stretched both ways to the railroad tracks almost in one direction and to the old Cinema Theater in the other. Walking by on the narrow sidewalk, you almost felt like you were sitting in a booth with the patrons. In beginning of the 60's, Valle's moved to a brand new, ultra modern looking building on outer Brighton Avenue, where it thrived for awhile and then 'died' a quiet death. It would soon to be inhabited with a run of restaurants, that never quite matched the dream of the modern steakhouse. Seen here is the latest one to attempt a go at it: Kon's Asian Bistro. Bon Appetite! Saturday, March 13, 2010
Bistro
In 1933, Don Valle opened a small restaurant in Portland; so small it had only 12 seats. From 1933-1980 the Valle Steak House chain stretched from Maine to Florida with 34 restaurants under its mantle. Their specialty was a lobster and steak repast. The first one I remember seeing was the one that was in the heart of Woodfords Corner, directly across from the Odd Fellows Hall. It was a landmark at the corner from '33 til 1960. I remember the popular dining place stretched both ways to the railroad tracks almost in one direction and to the old Cinema Theater in the other. Walking by on the narrow sidewalk, you almost felt like you were sitting in a booth with the patrons. In beginning of the 60's, Valle's moved to a brand new, ultra modern looking building on outer Brighton Avenue, where it thrived for awhile and then 'died' a quiet death. It would soon to be inhabited with a run of restaurants, that never quite matched the dream of the modern steakhouse. Seen here is the latest one to attempt a go at it: Kon's Asian Bistro. Bon Appetite! 
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I guess you have noticed that when a successful eatery closes or changes hands that it almost always begins a slow death spiral until the place is empty and the way it was is only a memory. It has happened here where we live. Lots of times. Nobody seems to have the desire or the devotion to a new business to keep it going like the original owners.
ReplyDeleteI think about the hopes and dreams of the restauranteurs. Have you tried the Asian Bistro yet?
ReplyDeleteVery interesting story. Steak houses seem to be becoming a thing of the past, although smaller diners have a pretty good niche around here still. I wish the new owners well. It's a tough economic environment in which to start a business.
ReplyDeleteInteresting read.
ReplyDeletePerhaps these restaurants are relics of the past, but how many Odd Fellows Homes are there around anymore?
ReplyDeleteVery cool architecure and great asian colours!
ReplyDelete