Word comes via 1924 Main's Facebook page that chef Rob Dalzell's signature restaurant may have served its last meal on Valentine's Day.
"It's our farewell weekend, folks! Thanks for 5 great years! We love you!" was posted on Friday at 3:01 p.m.
We'll let you know when we have more details.
Showing 1-22 of 22
I also heard that Pizzabella is changing ownership and staying open. Yeaaahh! Wouldn't the pitch just love to know who is taking it over.........! Ha!
I'll bet that soon new info will help rid of some silly speculation.
Too bad about the other restaurants, they were always great.
I heard pizzabella is changing ownership but staying open.
The Dalzell Clan is moving back to Mid Missouri to start a small farm to table restaurant.
small-minded people just love to indulge in hyperbole. no one at manifesto ever barks at anyone. crossroads cal is a touchy douche who should stick to elsewhere so other non-touchy non-douches can enjoy the 50 or so seats available at manifesto.
sad to see 1924 go but such is life in the wacky world of food & bev. power & light is the root of all evil.
eatscrap -
FYI, the "Souperman Hummer" you are referring to is actually a Toyota FJ Cruiser, which is not an overpriced gas guzzling, status symbol. Stretch drives a Hummer.
I do know Ryan and Beau personally and they do what it takes to keep the customers they get at Manifesto, so keep up the good work gentlemen.
It seems that when you get in the red with Cordish(Chefburger), they make sure that they get what is owed to them. Rob owed alot of money in back rent. This is just another horror story for local business owners trying to get involved with P&L.
Dalzell tried too much too fast. I don't understand why he didn't just stick to one concept, and hang in there with it, instead of spreading himself all over the place the way he did. It's too bad when something good goes down like that.
My dad had to declare bankruptcy once, though, and he recovered quite nicely from it years later, so I guess we can only hope that Dalzell will do the same!
So what is the story on Pizza Bella? I'm seeing references to it closing as well on here--but I haven't heard anything official.
I cannot imagine crossroads without this place. It is FANTASTIC and always seems pretty busy. What a potential shame for the neighborhood!
Anybody know for sure?
Hey guys.
Being the GM and Head Bartender at Manifesto, I'm obviously a bit biased. But to say that Ryan and I are sympathetic to those waiting on Friday and Saturday nights would be an understatement. I understand that nobody likes to wait for just about anything anymore, let alone a few drinks with friends, which is why we take painstaking care to ensure that once you get in, you have one of your best bar experiences in town.
We are a locally owned and operated establishment that believes that hospitality is the mark of a truly memorable experience. Without the support, and sometimes the patience, of our guests, we wouldn't be around for long. In other words, you all are what makes Manifesto so great.
I also think that people fail to realize that we are open Monday through Saturday. Crossroads Cal, if you live in the neighborhood, you should really make it by earlier in the week where waiting isn't typically an issue. Either Ryan and/or myself are there every evening and would love to show you what makes Manifesto so unique. Take me up on it. We'll do all we can to make sure you're glad you did. Cheers!
Thanks for the kind words and support!
In response to DLC, there was a very informal partnership between us, and management/operations at Manifesto never should have reflected the Dalzells or 1924 Main.
I have a lot of respect for Rob, and I know his family is having a tough time right now. He did a lot for our neighborhood and for the local restaurant community. He and Margarita, and their family of restaurants will be missed.
I thought this was a place for posting comments about 1924 Main closing, not a platform for Manifesto business practices.
I am sad to see so many great local restaurants closing.
I can attest that Manifesto truly does put the guest first. The staff, even on busy Friday and Saturday nights, takes time to guide its patrons through an intensive cocktail menu and will do anything they can to make your visit an enjoyable one. Obviously reservation systems aren't the norm for area bars, but it works at Manifesto. Where else can I ensure myself a table with a few friends in a tiny bar with a terrific product on a weekend night? Well, nowhere, to be frank.
Once you make it down to the basement and see first hand the experience they offer, the wait seems well worth it.
We couldn't make a reservation for this past Saturday night due to what I'm sure was an incredibly busy night(after all, it was the night before Valentine's Day). But the gentleman working the door did all he could to work us in, nonetheless. We showed up around 8:00 and were surprised to find them on a wait that early in the evening. The doorman informed us the wait was a long one already for the evening an encouraged us to check out Extra Virgin while he worked on finding us a spot. An hour and a half later, we received a text that we had a spot. We hurried back down the alley and were seated promptly. The doorman thanked us for our patience and walked us to a table. The wait? Well worth it. Drinks, delicious. Staff, kind and knowledgeable. The atmosphere, surprisingly laid back. You bet your sweet ass we'll be back. Thanks to the guys at Manifesto for making our weekend a great experience!
There really isn't a formal business relationship between 1924 Main and Manifesto is/was there? In other words someone's supposedly bad experience at Manifesto isn't a reflection on Dalzell or his restaurants at all.
For what it's worth, my one visit to Manifesto was very good. The staff wasn't douchey like I expected for a place with this concept.
Since I got a bit fired up in my last comment, I just want to say that I am more than happy to be open and answer any questions regarding Manifesto and how we operate our business. Anyone is welcome to contact me directly. I realize that what we do at Manifesto is quite a venture from the norm, and other bars like this in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, etc...have experienced similar problems, mostly stemming from misinterpretation and poor communication.
Hospitality comes first at all times, and as a bar owner, the one thing I hate most is when bars DO take an elitist approach and treat their guests unfairly. So when I'm accused of running my business that way, I take it personally. It doesn't even matter how much "MONEY" you have, because everything at Manifesto costs the same and everyone spends about the same amount. there are no expensive bottles of wine or B.S. bottle service. It's a level playing field. All we want to do is provide a warm hospitable environment with quality drinks.
And Cal, if you really do feel that way, it's probably because the people that came in after you had already been on the wait list, and received a phone call. I'm amazed every weekend when people show up, put their name on the wait list, and end up going down to Extra Virgin or The Cashew and still return an hour or more later when we call them. It means a lot me, and I'm flattered that people are willing to wait that long. It tells me that my staff is doing everything right, and that people are really enjoying themselves. I know I can't please everyone, but I'll be damned if I don't at least try! Love you guys!
Ryan
@ Crossroads Cal: Nothing could be further from the truth about your "experience" at Manifesto.
Either Beau or myself work the door every weekend and we routinely are offered money to get people in. Never once have we accepted, nor do we take an "elitist" approach. If you have a reservation, your requested time is honored. If you don't, it's first come, first served, and we do everything we can to get people in. Unfortunately, due to the small space, sometimes there is a long wait on the weekends.
There is absolutely NO special treatment for anyone, even for myself! Over the holidays I had friends in from New York and I took the night off to hang out with them. When it came time to show them Manifesto, we were on a wait list and we waited. We put our customers first. Period.
Ryan
Chefburger has been reopened under new management/investors without Eponine a.k.a. Dazell & family which is declaring bankruptcy and shuttering 1924 Main, Souperman & Pizza Bella.
Ryan Mabee is trying to reopen 1924 Main under a new name & management in the next couple of weeks.
Sad news for Souperman & Pizza Bella - both venues appear to be thriving. It's a waste that they are not trying to sell them first vs. closing them for good.
Too bad about your Manifesto experience! Ryan always seems quite nice when we've visited. We certainly don't have "MONEY" to spend haha.
I too would like to know what's the story on Chefburger?
@Cal - that's exactly why I haven't been down there. I didn't order admission gimmicks with my old-timey cocktails.
What strikes me is that (his mom?) says the KC restaurant scene is losing a "wonderful chef/wife team", and hopes that they move on to bigger and better things.
Does this mean 1924/PizzaBella/ChefBurger et al are finished?
If so, does it have anything to do with the Star's expose on Kansas City University and Rob's dad (who is presumably his financial backer)?
Just trying to make sense of it all...
We put our name on the waiting list for Manifesto two friday nights ago and then watched them let six couples in without reservations as they proclaimed coming thru the door that they had "MONEY" to spend! When I asked door guy, (Ryan), he barked i'll do what I can for you. Rude and elitist is a sure way to go down in flames. Received a text 75 minutes later saying that they were ready for us! By then we had enjoyed tapas and great drinks at Extra Virgin.
like
dislike
