Surf and Turf restaurant to close Christmas Eve
Surf and Turf restaurant in Grandin Village will close Dec. 24. Photo by Amanda Codispoti
Surf and Turf restaurant is the latest victim of the economy and rising food prices.
The Grandin Village restaurant will close Dec. 24, owner Paul Gautier said.
“It’s just because of the challenges that have been facing so many small businesses,” he said.
The only way to stay in business is to triple prices, and that wouldn’t even cover the rising cost of the restaurant’s utility bills, Gautier said.
“It’s just not practical anymore,” he said.
The restaurant opened about 10 years ago. It’s not been decided what will happen to the space or the equipment.
Surf and Turf joins a long list of Roanoke area restaurants that closed its doors this year, some because of the economy and rising food prices. Lindsey Nair reported in October that Arzu Mediterranean restaurant would soon close, as will Norberto’s. Other restaurants closing for various reasons include Big Lick BBQ, Little Chef, Isaac’s, Horizon Bar and Grill, Tudor’s, Blue Collar Joe’s and The Library.
December 19, 2012 - 5:00 AM
Living in the neighborhood we ate there several times. The she-crab soup was always good and the tuna was always medium-rare as it should be. In this economy there is no shame in “tossing it in”….it took courage to take the “leap” and open up your business. Good luck….
Bummer, it was a comfy old-school kind of dive. I love that there are so many restaurants to go to in Grandin but I can’t imagine there are enough regular diners to fill them all. Good luck to the owner and staff.
The economy and rising food prices? Maybe, just maybe the market is telling them their product is not valuable to consumers? I’ve been to Arzu, Norbertos, Little Chef, and Isaac’s once. Only once because I saw no reason to return to any of them. I know what Tudor’s and the Library are about so I never had a compelling reason to visit them. I’m not sure this is a small business problem. More likely a small business without a good product problem. Wasn’t there a similar story about a gas station recently?
Such a shame! As sad as I am to see another Grandin area restaurant close, Surf n Turf had a lot of room for improvement. People enjoy sitting outside the restaurant in nice weather, but largely because it is so unpleasant to sit inside…the ventilation system was lacking and you’d always get smoked out of the place. Not a fun dining experience. That one change would probably have garnered Surf n Turf more diners.
The food was good at one time a couple of years ago but the last time we went there to eat we had a roach crawl across the table and when we told the waitress she said what do you want me to do about it? Paid for the drinks and left.
There used to be a Surf and Turf in Salem and they were the BEST. Awesome food and we went as much as we could. What a shame, hate to hear it. (Squash casserole – YUM)
We ate their years ago on someone’s recommendation, big dissapointment, would not go back. Don’t remember the details. No whow factor at all, just very ordinary, uninspiring.
Overall we’ve been pleased with Surf n Turf over the years, but things just weren’t right the past couple of visits. Food was OK and the price was right, but the first thing you saw when you walked in the door was a dingy entrance in disrepair and a fish tank crawling with algae. HIGHLY unappetizing and it made you wonder about the cleanliness of the place. Surf and Turf was generally a great bargain for what you got, but we simply weren’t going there as often — and it had nothing to do with the economy.
Ernie has a good point. Closures blame the economy, which is easy to do. But how do you explain that many more do so well? Must have something to do with cost, quality and service. And location.
What a shame I remember them opening and our family was friends with the original 2 owners (not sure if they remained the owners the entire length of the buisness) but as others have mentioned with this economy only the larger chain restaurants stand a chance of surviving a shame really.
Tudor’s …..please come back!!!!!!
As mentioned, it was a “dive” type place. Not clean, not comfortable and the food left something to be desired. It’s sad, yes. But when places like Rockfish and Local Roots are surviving, I can’t believe it was the economy. Two Grandin Village pizzerias withing 2 blocks of each other are killing it as well.
That’s a shame. I’ve eaten there many times & enjoyed the seafood immensely. Never had anything to complain about — it’s some of the best fresh, reasonably-priced seafood around, and the outdoor dining in the summertime was always fun.
I live down the street and only went there once – I took my Mother there and was embarrassed at how icky the place was. Never been back.
Yes it’s a shame because it used to be a good place. It’s not the economy, it just got really dirty and people noticed it. Everyone talked about it. I hope someone opens another restaurant there. It’s probably one of the best locations on Grandin.
If I can’t say anything nice…
Here’s hoping something good and interesting move into both this spot and Norberto’s. We love supporting our local businesses and especially our neighborhood places. We dine often at Rockfish and Local Roots, enjoy an ice cream or grilled cheese at Pop’s, buy produce, wine and other items at the Co-Op and enjoy movies at the Grandin Theatre – all within walking distance of our home. I’d love to see a Tapas place move in, or even an off-shoot of Alejandro’s or Red Jasmine. Maybe we could even talk Ben Gui into opening a sushi place over here… Santa, put in a good word would you?
The economy is not to blame for this dump going out of business. They had terrible food and service. It was also the filthiest restaurant in Roanoke!! Good riddance!
I am not surprised. The list of restaurants that have shut down lately is snot surprising at all. There is a bounty of mediocre to poor food and there are a small collection of restaurants that we can enjoy.
Grandin Village seems like it is on a slide. I think downtown is taking all of the claim, the Co-op is even opening a shop on the Market. Norbertos closing is a huge disappointment for me, why bother to venture to GV anymore?
I had a roach crawl up my pants leg the last time I ate there – I say good riddance.
I’m not buying the ‘default’ excuse of economy and rising food prices. There are far more restaurants thriving
than are closing and what none of these articles tell you is that more than half of all small operations close within 5 years and another half of those within 10 years. That is a statistic that has been consistent for more than half a century…
Absolutely, it is sad to see any small (or large for that matter) business close, it is someone’s ‘dream’ and someone’s hard work – but to keep a restaurant healthy, relevant and meeting the needs of the local and regional market takes so much more than a dream. You need a rock solid business plan, you need to be staffing within your business cycles, you need to be obsessively focused on controlling inventory, suppliers and all associated partners. I am seeing so many comments here that are wishing different types of food
were offered in the neighborhood.
And frankly – most of the comments here are telling us the place was dirty and the food was bad.
That my friends isn’t economic – that’s ownership.
Honestly- I live a few blocks from there and I was hesitant to even buy a beer. It was cramped and dirty. When it comes to seafood- I think the last thing you want see or feel is “dirty”. it’s great spot/location though- maybe someone can make something out of it.
I have to say I hate to see all of the closings but there are more restuarants opening than there are increase in population in Roanoke. Grandin area is such a gem to continue to lose businesses. However, I never had a good experience at Surf n Turf. Tried it more than once and just couldn’t get it right. Sorry still to see more locally owned businesses closing.
I lived within a 5 minute walk of it for over a year and never once ate there or went in for a drink. I stuck my head in one time to check it out and didn’t make it past the doorway. There was nothing appealing about the place. Grandin Village is a nice neighborhood, but the only quality restaurants there are Local Roots, Pop’s, Grace’s (though disappointing the last 2 times I ate there), and Jimmy Sardine’s. 1906 Ale House was good the one time I tried it. I’ve never tried Spike’s or CI. The others I didn’t name just are not good.
We enjoyed the all-you-can-eat crab leg special until they discontinued it sometime back. The restaurant never was what you would call a “well-oiled machine.” I’m not surprised at it’s closing.
What? Why bother to venture to Grandin? The place is great and it’s 3 blocks of awesomeness in comparison to Downtown. The Grandin Village is it’s own city within a city.
Grandin Theater, Co-op, Reid’s, Roanoke Ballet, Farmer’s Market, Church, Yoga, Massage, Dentist, Parades, Festivals, Post office, bookstore, salons, barbershop, bed and breakfast, Local Roots,Grace’s,Rockfish,1906 Ale House, Jimmy Sardine’s, Pop’s.
Grandin is a-ok in comparison and is easily the best neighborhood in Roanoke.
The Roanoke Times is doing no favors to the Roanoke restaurant business community by opening this story blaming the economy and rising food prices for this restaurant’s closing. Thank you to the many people on here that accurately reported the most likely reasons, although unfortunately your comments reach a very limited audience. Why bother reporting on business when you gloss over the facts with misleading excuses from a biased perspective? It is true that many restaurants and other businesses in the village are thriving. They have kept their restaurants clean, they have engaged in social media marketing, and have worked hard to provide a quality product and enjoyable atmosphere. They have done all of this without “tripling” their prices. I know it is hard for an owner to close a business and the economy is an easy scapegoat, but if the Roanoke Times is going to report on these closings I don’t think you should state as fact that “the economy” is the culprit as you have done here.
“Grandin Village seems like it is on a slide. I think downtown is taking all of the claim, the Co-op is even opening a shop on the Market.”
In the GV we still have Rockfish, Local Roots, Grace’s, 1906, Pop’s, Jimmy Sardines, and the Village Grill — an array of styles, prices, and culinary levels. I think of the CI and Spike’s as more like bars. The Co-op might be opening a second store but I can’t imagine the one in the GV is going anywhere. The Grandin Theatre will be a better visit once it upgrades its equipment. The big disappointment to me is that nothing’s been able to survive in the old Garlands (CVS).
I don’t want to dump more dirt on their grave, but I bought a giftcard for there through restaurant.com. I went there the same day that I bought the card where they were advertising the all-you-can eat crab leg special. The spcial had been discontinued. When I asked about it, they blamed it on restaurant.com, and didn’t even bother to try to rectify the situation. I checked with restaurant.com, and they said that it was the responsibility of the individual restaurant to update their microsite. I checked with other restaurants, and they told me the same thing. Based on that experience, I never used restaurant.com again, and I never went back to Surf-n-Turf.
@Kemper: I reported that the business is closing because of the economy and rising food prices because those are the reasons the owner cited. He has the best knowledge of his business, so why wouldn’t I quote him? Is there anyone else who can tell me for a fact – not their opinion – why the restaurant is closing? I don’t think so. Sure, many readers are saying the restaurant was dirty, but that’s their opinion, and thanks to this blog, they have somewhere to express their opinion. That doesn’t mean I can say for certain that is the reason they are closing.
@ Amanda: I understand what you are saying but everyone is right, it’s a filthy place. The cooks were also very dirty. Never once does anyone see them wash their hands. They walk in the door and start handling food with bare hands. Out to smoke and then right back to the food. Keep in mind the kitchen is public view. I really hate all of this. They had an awesome happy hour.
@Amanda: A restaurant being clean or dirty is not an “opinion”. Anyone can plainly see filth. That is a fact. Please don’t get so defensive and just admit that the reason the owner cited may, in fact, NOT be a fact.
Surf and Turf is dirty (fact) and the food was not that good (opinion).
@Kemper: I reported that the business is closing because of the economy and rising food prices because those are the reasons the owner cited. He has the best knowledge of his business, so why wouldn’t I quote him?
Whoa, you’re not supposed to what anyone says as fact. You report what they say as what they say. Just like the Ticker blog says “X company reports doing this awesome thing, here’s their press release.” They don’t say “X company did an awesome thing” and copy/paste their press release.
You’re a journalist (ok blogger, but that’s what’s left of journalism) and it’s your job to take what people tell you and dig beyond that to find out the truth. The truth is, multiple other restaurants in the same area are thriving. That in itself ought to be enough to make any journalist go hmmmm.
@tass: I did attribute the information to the owner, several times, in fact.
The point is I have no way to prove that people’s opinion of the restaurant being dirty is the reason it is closing. It sure seems like that kept several readers of this blog from going back, and I thank those readers for sharing that, but there could be a multitude of issues that led to the closing, some that even the owner isn’t aware of. This blog is providing a good forum for us to talk about what may have gone wrong.
That’s fine for online publication of your column but when it gets printed in the paper, that’s all people see, and you have an obligation as a journalist to go beyond how the subject of your story spins it.
Totally forgot about the cooks sitting on the Westover side of the building to smoke. Very unprofessional. It was just a poorly run establishment that lacked good management.
That being said, it’s an awesome location. I’m hoping someone comes in and cleans that place out, maybe builds into the neighboring vacancy. My top choices would be a sushi place or diner. There is no place in GV that serves breakfast (other than Sunday brunch). You have to go to FAs or Ernies for something like a diner. Either way, that place needs good reno.
I got your back Amanda. Us Buckeye state natives needs to stick together.
Amanda: I recently discovered the chain “Fishbones Grill” down in TN. Probably the best seafood eats I ever had. Not all that inexpensive but superior ever though a bit high. Went to one in Richmond some weeks later. BINGO. Same quality and same excellent service. Spoke to the manager and got the impression they were looking at one for Roanoke. I think he said it was planned somewhere around a JCP store. If these folks come to Roanoke I’ll tell ya this, every other seafood joint better roll over and shut the doors. Any thing you might know about it?
@Bubba Greene: I’ll have to make some calls on this. There has long been talk about building a restaurant in the parking lot at Tanglewood Mall (where there is a JC Penney), so maybe that is what they were referring to? I am out of the office the rest of the week and next, but I will check on this when I return. Thanks for the comment!
I think he means “Bonefish”.
@Kristen: I think you’re right!
If I remember the story correctly on Horizon’s closing at that end of this year, it’s not about the economy. The owner wants to retire and her son who is also an owner just wants out of the restaurant business.
People are always critical of “chain” restaurants, but Bubba Greene’s comment is an example of how chains usually have much higher standards then mom & pop operations like Surf and Turf. Too many people think they know how to run a restaurant and they are sadly wrong.
Amanda, I appreciate your blog, it is my favorite, you keep us up on a lot of things going on in the valley, thanks.
Never ate there! Sorry to see a local shop close. Grandin Village taking some hits-The influx of national chains around the valley view area seems to be hurting the locally owned food dollars.The user friendly road changes in and around Grandin Village did not seem to help the presumed better curb appeal and access for the merchants.
The economy being bad being blamed,hmm, maybe too many non informed citizens did not eat there.Thanks for reporting this Amanda, I agree with the owner.
@Debbie: You are right. I have clarified this in the blog post.
@RM: Thanks, and thanks for being part of the conversations here.
You guys are killing me with your comments. Why in the world would anyone at the Roanoke Times spend one ounce of energy doing investigative work on a restaurant closing? Amanda does a great job digging for information when odd things happen, like a restaurant closing overnight with no warning, but this restuarant is closing and the owner provided a quote. You take the quote and write the article. You don’t go searching for anyone that ever ate there to come forward. It’s not some big mystery you’re trying to solve.
This blog is a great resource for us the consumers to tell the other side of the story. For you guys clamoring for the other side of the story to be in the article, it’s not like Amanda knew all of you guys had personally tried it and had issues. And to even waste a second trying to find someone who ate there and didn’t like it would be pointless. The owner is closing for lack of business. That is called economy. In this case his lack of business appears to be because the place was a dump. But that is opinion not fact and only the owner knows the truth.
Journalism is no longer limited to a reporter. It hasn’t been for quite a while now. When I got my Bachelor’s degree in Media Studies (Journalism concentration) in 2006, I was informed by many that traditionalism was a dying breed. And – they were right! There are many new paths of journalism … all which should be embraced and appreciated for what they are. Of course, Journalism is now open to anyone and everyone who can operate a computer, so a discerning eye is often needed to tell fact from fiction.
That being said, Amanda does a beautiful job providing us with information and fodder for discussion. We are all a part of this Journalism. Everything said here contributes to the story and can affect the reader. A blog is interactive.
Thank you, Amanda, for letting us know what’s here, what’s coming, what’s going and when to expect new things. Merry Christmas!
Darn! It is Bonefish. Funny how your brain sometimes seperates from your fingers when typing and something comes out completely wrong. I have since checked out the organization. They are owned by a company called Bloomin Brands (NASD: BLMN) One of several subs. Stock of the parent does not seem to be reflecting the experience I had when there. One in Charlottesville too I think. I get hungry just looking at their web site. You know how fast food places spend tons of money doctering up photos of “constructed” burgers. Had crafted and dressed. But when you open that box it looks like it was tossed out a bus window and reassembled. What you see on the Bonefish web site looks like what you see on their tables.
“Grandin is a-ok in comparison and is easily the best neighborhood in Roanoke.”
UTR and I certainly agree on this.
Wasn’t it Bonefish that was planned for Keagy Village and then the economy tanked and they pulled out? Would be good to have them in the area.
I am sad to see Surf N Turf go in Grandin. This by no means is a sign that the neighborhood is struggling or losing business to downtown or chain restaurants. It is just a sign of all things can change with time. Grandin like any neighborhood changes over time and the interest/likes of people change with that. There will surely be other places that will open up in Grandin to fill the spots of Surf N Turf and Nobertos. We can only hope that they will be spots that will meet the neighborhoods needs rather than just a restaurant to open where an owner thinks he is just going to make a lot of money. There is a lot of competition for restaurants in Roanoke and one place is never going to suit the needs of everyone so the variety is always welcome but there are several times where owners just lose interest or do not run it right from the beginning. Who knows what happened here, but this place was in Grandin for a while and I thank them for all they did for the neighborhood while they were open. I am excited to see what is coming in the next year for the neighborhood. For all of you posting your negative comments, all I can say is several of you have probably never owned/worked in a restaurant and do not understand the day to day stresses that Surf N Turk was having to deal with. None of us do. It goes back to the old saying, if you have nothing nice to say then say nothing at all. There is no need to slam the place, it is closing, you don’t have to worry about them anymore. Instead think about the owner and staff who are now unemployed and will now be looking for work. A little kindness goes a long way. It is always amazing to get on here and see how some people celebrate the failures of others.
“When it comes to seafood- I think the last thing you want see or feel is “dirty”.”
Umm… so how in the world has Harbor Inn survived?
Well said Mr. Learner. People who are not in the industry haven’t a clue about the daily struggles involved. Food and paper goods have shot up as have utility costs. I know several restaurant owners who are having to dip into personal savings to cover paychecks. Watch and see how many of these so called “thriving” restaurants end up with a closed for business sign on the door in the near future.
“…all I can say is several of you have probably never owned/worked in a restaurant and do not understand the day to day stresses that Surf N Turk was having to deal with.”
I’ve never owned one but I’ve worked in a couple. I realize how hard it is to keep everything clean, but, seriously, if you want to feature a fish tank as the first thing people see at a seafood place, you really should keep it clean. A slimy green tank doesn’t say “yummy food inside.”
I don’t doubt that the economy and the pressure of rising prices had an effect. I will miss Surf n Turf.
Ate there once and never returned. It was SO dirty inside, service was poor, and the food was gross and grossly overpriced.
Glad to know we weren’t the only ones who stopped eating there because of dirty/unsanitary staff and facilities! We really enjoyed this restaurant at one point – as others have said – had good food. Last time we went in there, we saw raw meat going places it shouldn’t and people messing with trash then turning around and serving food. yuck and yuck.
I have to disagree about the food being overpriced. I thought it was quite reasonable for what you got. And as I said before, we once enjoyed going there.
The owner’s comments in the newspaper today were strange. According to him, he’d have to triple his prices just to cover the increase in the cost of utilities. Perhaps this is partly explained by the small size of the restaurant, but what he was saying was that his $15 tuna would have had to have gone up to $45. I don’t know of a single restaurant in Roanoke that charges $45 for tuna — at least not the ones I’ve been to.
That spot would ideal….and I mean perfect for a breakfast diner. Slam dunk…
I found the triple price remark odd as well. First of all, utility costs have not increased 3 x’s so the remark of the operator is just not accurate. What is probably accurate is that he simply did not have enough revenue to support the basic costs, meaning the business was one the skids. Like Lucy said, we’ll make up for the loss on each with VOLUME! Oh yea! My tip on selecting a spot to eat starts with NEVER going into a joint with an air conditioner hanging over the entrance door.
Amanda,
can you find out what the status is of Peter’s Seafood on Peters Creek Road and Williamson, I think it was going in
where Double Dragon was in the Goodwill plaza?
Thanks!
@Salemite: Peter’s Seafood is open. Here is what I wrote about it earlier this month. Has anyone been? I’d love to hear some reviews.
Thanks for the update Amanda.
My parents said they want to try out Peters Seafood.
Mom said they went to Harbor Inn last week and “The food wasn’t fit to eat and the service was terrible.”
(Her words, not mine)
I read on Peter’s seafood Facebook page that the grand opening is this Sat 1/5 and some great specials are planned. I hope to check it out then.
I have trouble conceiving seafood as being a to-go thing this far from the ocean.
For ‘Salemite’ & others comments re: Harbor’s Inn. I too was there this past weekend. The food was good as always, the service exceptional (we have our favorite waitress & ask to sit in her section) and cleanliness was on an even par. Not sure what we’re comparing to, but my experience over the years has been good, with staff & owners always willing to listen to, and address, any concerns…
On the subject of restaurants- has Hometown Buffet closed? Maybe I have just been driving by at the wrong times but I haven’t seen it open lately.
Hi Amanda,
Wanted to let you know I’ve tried Peter’s Seafood a couple times now. The food is great! The seafood is fresh, not overly breaded and not greasy. The fried oysters are the best I’ve ever had. The owners are also quite friendly, which is a plus. Being carryout only, the atmosphere is pretty sparse but more importantly, clean. And prices are extremely reasonable! I think we’re going to be regular customers there. I highly recommend it!
@shelly: Thanks for the review! My husband will be happy to hear that they have good fried oysters!