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In the Know: Bianchi’s to replace Grill Club in Naples
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Q: Whatever happened to The Grill Club Churrascaria that was located at Bayfront in Naples?
– Marilyn Mroz, Marco Island
A: The Grill Club, an independently owned steak house that specialized in all-you-can-eat Brazilian barbecue, closed about three weeks ago after being open for less than a year.
“We closed last month due to the lack of business,” owner Miguel Sacal said. “Thank you for asking.”
Before becoming The Grill Club, that city of Naples location was the home of an Italian restaurant – Il Bellagio, another local dining spot owned by Sacal that didn’t survive the area’s tough off-season in a highly competitive market.
Next Wednesday, Italian cuisine will again be served at 492 Bayfront Place when it reopens as Bianchi’s at Bayfront, a casual, family-style restaurant serving dinner only.
The restaurant is owned by Chrissy Bianchi-Rabil and Fadi Rabil, a Naples couple who owns the three popular Chrissy’s breakfast and lunch spots in town, including Chrissy’s at Bayfront.
I asked Bianchi-Rabil why she thinks she can make it at a location where others have failed.
“I am a classic, small business owner that rolls the dice,” she said. “This is going to work because I’m going to give quality – good atmosphere, good food at an affordable price. I truly believe you give quality and what people want.”
Bianchi’s is named after Bianchi-Rabil’s father, who she said has been an incredible element to her business. She said Victor Bianchi, 81, is “the host with the most” and lights up the room when he works at Chrissy’s Wildside Café in Carillon Place on Airport-Pulling Road.
“This is a tribute to him,” she said.
Incredibly, Bianchi-Rabil and her husband plan to open three new restaurants within a two-month period.
In addition to Bianchi’s, they are opening two more Chrissy’s, one in the Tanglewood Marketplace, anchored by Outback Steakhouse on U.S. 41 North, in three weeks; and one in the Pebblebrooke shopping center at the intersection of Immokalee Road and Collier Boulevard in four to six weeks.
For Bianchi-Rabil, she is realizing a dream.
“This has always been my dream. My heart is in it,” she said. “I’ve paid my dues. I finally ended up where I wanted to end up.”
Tim Aten is chief online editor of the Daily News. E-mail questions with your name and city of residence to intheknow@naplesnews.com.
Find a complete archive of “In the Know” at naplesnews.com/intheknow/
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Fadi Rabil sold me my first new car at Naples Acura in 1993. He was a true proessional and stood out in the crowd. Congratulations on your success
#1 Posted by chrisdarr on October 29, 2008 at 10:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Have you eaten at any of the Chrissy's restaurants? They are unbelievable...and being a fitness/bodybuilding athlete, its always important to me that when I order a meat dish I GET A LOT OF MEAT! Chrissy's is always generous with the meat portions which is why I continue to go back--besides the fact that the food is amazing (Try their Southwest Chicken Soup!)
I can't wait to try Bianchi's because I love family style Italian when my family is in town. I stopped going to Buca because they skimp on the meat. I'll be at Bianchi's opening night if its on a weekend for sure!
#2 Posted by Pistol on October 29, 2008 at 5:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Il Bellagio had terrible food. Bring back Catch 22!
#3 Posted by foreclosure_agent on October 29, 2008 at 6:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If you think the joint is jinxed we can always send in a little Holy Water for a quick fix. Truth be known, the proof of any pudding has always been in the eating....And if the quality of "eats" at Wildside or Radio Rd. locations are any indication of whats to come for supper then I'm already losening my belt....:-)
#4 Posted by herrick9 on October 30, 2008 at 9:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I wish this family the best. The restaurant business is a difficult one.
What kind of foods are on the menu at the Wildside Cafes?
Pistol, I work out daily also. I eat lots of healthy proteins and complex carbs. What besides the chicken soup do you recommend?
Thanks,
BTV
#5 Posted by BlueTonguedVole on October 30, 2008 at 10:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
they're food sucks at the Chrissy's restaurants... I ordered the quiche of the day that was prepared in the microwave. Not worth $10 for sure. I sent a letter explaining my displesure with their food and service, and did not receive the courtesy of a reply. Horrible business people and I don't believe they'll achieve success with such high aspirations in a DOWN market.
#6 Posted by neapolitan12345 on October 30, 2008 at 5:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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