Restaurant that replaced Norberto’s has closed
Photo by Lindsey Nair.
Kabuto, the Japanese restaurant that replaced Norberto’s in Grandin Village, has closed almost two months to the day after it opened. Two “For Lease” signs hung in the window when I stopped by the building at 1908 Memorial Avenue today.
Norberto’s Italian restaurant was open for about 27 years before Norberto Silva sold it to Kevin Jarvis. Jarvis started operating it in November 2011 but said business had slowed considerably by the last quarter of 2012.
Almost immediately after Norberto’s closed, neighbors noticed the brick building was being painted a bright red. Even the slightly weathered Norberto’s mural on the end of the building was covered over in red. Jarvis’ wife, Jargal Jarvis, opened Kabuto there on Jan. 9. At that time, she said she wanted to open an Asian restaurant in Grandin Village because the area lacked such a restaurant.
I’m not sure when Kabuto closed officially. I started hearing from readers who spotted the “For Lease” signs today.
The owner of the building, Richard Bishop, confirmed that Kabuto had closed and the space will be available to a new tenant about the end of this month. He said if the place does not rent soon enough, he may consider having some renovations done. He also said he had no idea the building was going to be painted red until he saw it himself.
When reached through Facebook, Kevin Jarvis declined to comment.
March 7, 2013 - 2:09 PM
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I couldn’t see it staying open. Who goes to a Japanese steakhouse all of the time. I could see going to Jimmy Sardines, Local Roots or the Village Grill several times weekly but a Japanese Steakhouse? Maybe once a year for a special occasion. That won’t keep it open. Everyone can eat pizza, subs, sandwiches at a nice pub a few times per week. I feel Rocky will to great in the old Surf n Turf location. Who can’t eat Mexican/Caribbean several times a week also!
Tapas?
Personally, I could eat often at a Japanese steakhouse. We go to Kabuki about once a month. I don’t think that’s the issue. This is the first I’m hearing about this restaurant. Advertising, next to word or mouth, is important. If a new establishment isn’t doing it, then chances are good it will not survive, especially with all the choices available to us in Roanoke!
That was quick! I just ate there two weeks ago. It was delicious, but on the expensive side. An
I hate to see any ‘local’ business close. When one closes after two months, it’s pretty exceptional.
Lets hope that some other iteration can succeed and that Roanoke dining can support another independent restaurant.
We did dine here once during the brief time they were open. It was way too salty for my taste. But I wish them well. We too are looking forward to Rocky’s new place opening in the old Surf n Turf location. With Rockfish, Local Roots and Grace’s place, that should round out the choices perfectly…oh and of course, the CI.
What happened to Norberto Silva’s recipes? Hope they show up somewhere and soon.
I will miss Norbertos…Roanoke sorely needs more Italian choices. Nothing
good in downtown at all. Salems’ Mama Marias is too far out. Why not a Greek restaurant in that spot?
I’d love know where the guy who made pizza at Torinos is cooking now. I’d be there for pizza in a second.
I went with my wife just last week. We were the only people there, at 6:30 pm on a weeknight. I enjoyed the food; it was almost identical to Sakura (on Apperson) – it was nothing like Kabuki. Prices were very reasonable and the decor was nice. It’s a shame they couldn’t get more business.
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Grandin is so overcrowded with restaurants — you have to have a truly exceptional or unique place to make it work in that area. The past few that have failed there were ones that, frankly, were too similar to other restaurants in the Brambleton/Franklin Rd/Apperson area.
I agree with David. I’m missing Norberto’s food! I’m sorry Mr. Jarvis felt the need to “improve” the already perfect dishes! A great loss for the neighborhood and the community!
Here’s the latest example of how NOT to use a fake ID to get a drink.
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/applebees-waitress-stolen-id-drivers-license-154712609.html
Talk about a Tequila Surprise, yikes!
I took my family there for Valentines day, it was our first time there. We all agreed it was very good. We even got 10% off and free cheesecake because it was Valentines day. We like Ichiban better but we thought Kabuto was definitely worth another visit. There were only two other couples in there when we arrived, around 6:00. After they left we were the only ones there for quite a while until one other couple arrived. A little more advertising might have helped.
Good ridense! they ruined Norbortos! Shame shame!! Now if we could get the old Norbortos back to clean up the damage!