Brian says: I’ve noticed a couple of odd things about local restaurant web sites lately:

I’m looking at an ad for Bucatini from a coupon mailing, and it says their web site is at www.bucatini.com.  I checked the site trying to remember what I had last time I was there, but couldn’t find it.  Looking at the opening page again, I just realized that it’s the web site for another restaurant with the same name in Santa Barbara, CA.  Oops.  I still can’t find a web site for Bucatini of Middleton. Update: The menu at the restaurant lists www.bucatinitrattoria.com as the web site address. It’s not online yet, but it is actually registered to the owner of Bucatini (the Middleton, WI one, that is.)

We tried going to Pasqual’s in Verona a few weeks back, only to find that they’ve turned it into a coffee shop and part time “supper club.”  This was unclear since the building’s sign still read “Pasqual’s” and the only indication of what was going on was a small sign posted on the door.  Being a curious person, I visited their web site.  Even though the change happened in October, the site still shows Verona as being a Pasqual’s location (ironically, describing it as the “latest Pasqual’s restaurant” and “new”).

Due to severe weather in the area, we had to skip last week’s dinner, which was going to be Fork and Spoon Cafe.  Since they’re only open for dinner on Thursday-Saturday, we haven’t been able to make it since we usually get together earlier in the week.  I’m hoping we do make it there sometime soon.

We recently received a glowing comment about Burrachos from someone named Jack.  Jack’s IP address is owned by Nesnah Ventures, the company which owns Burrachos.  No wonder he likes the place so much.

I like his comment about their competitor being the “McDonalds-mex division.”  Chipotle started with one store by a culinary school graduate who wanted to make good burritos.  McDonald’s bought a controlling interest and provided the resources to make it hugely successful.  They sold off their part a couple years ago.

I can’t really find much about the history of Burrachos, other than it being owned by a holding company which owns some convenience stores.