News

Letters to the Editor, Jan. 30-Feb. 5

By
• January 29, 2013

Readers share their responses to a recent story on the local fine dining scene, which discussed the closing of Le Cigare Volant Restaurant.

Grape Point

We would like to take this opportunity to clarify any confusion or misconception that may have arisen as a result of the recent article (“The Crash of the Flying Cigar.html,” Jan. 16) regarding the closure of Le Cigare Volant Restaurant (né Cellar Door). While we are on the subject of “cellar doors,” note that our stunningly beautiful tasting room was more or less integrated into the workings of the restaurant, sharing proximal space, but it continues to remain open for (monkey) business, Wednesday thru Sunday for tastings, retail sales and wine by the glass. We are still hosting First Friday events, throwing pickup parties for our DEWN members and offering customized, private tasting experiences for one’s next special occasion. We have returned to the roots of what we do best; cultivating distinctive, thoughtful wines that tell a story; that represent a strong sense of place, or terroir, as those French might say. Wonderful things are in the works for Bonny Doon, but I can’t say more at this time. Stay “dooned.”

Randall Grahm

Owner, Bonny Doon Vineyard

Eat at Joze

Re: “The Crash of the Flying Cigar” (Cover, Jan. 16). Very well-reported and well-written article. Thank you. Think I need to get some people together and go to India Joze.

Judith Broadhurst

 

No Reservations

I went to the Cellar Door on a Thursday night. It hadn’t been open that long, so maybe it was in its inflationary phase. I was informed by a snippy hostess that I needed reservations. No, I don’t. If I want to go out on a Thursday night in Santa Cruz, there are plenty of places to eat. You have competition, so turn the tables over faster or put better customer service people at the front door. I should have been apologized to; instead, I was made to feel stupid because I didn’t know how to eat at their restaurent.

I had no idea that “Cigare Volant” was the new name of the Cellar Door, but I never would have gone there. “Flying Cigar?” Is there a more unappetizing image than that of a cigar thrown down on the sidewalk? Cuz that’s what I think of when I see that phrase. What WERE they thinking? I would assume it is a restaurant that lets people smoke at the tables. I know that can’t be true, but that’s the subliminal message.

Linda Rosewood

 

Not So Bright

Re: “Glowing Pains.html” (Currents, Jan. 16). Jack Sales correctly points out that proper shielding of the LED lights would aim the light at the ground, not in directions where it is not wanted. The city should have considered such shielding, especially since UC Santa Cruz is home of one of the most prestigious astronomy departments in the world. Furthermore, as anyone who has purchased the new LED Christmas lights knows, a colored mantle in front of the LED can change the observed color to any shade desired. The idea that bright white light is required for public safety, while seemingly intuitive, is just not true. This has been debunked by several controlled studies.

Paul Preto

  • https://www.santacruz.com/news/letters_to_the_editor_jan._30_feb._5.html TJ Juckson

    Note that Randall Grahm failed to mention any of the real factors that led to the closing of Le Cigare Volant, namely the overpriced entrees, the pathetically small portions, and the hubris that presumed Santa Cruzans would pay for pretentiousness over quality. If you’re so blind that you can’t read the culinary tastes of your audience, then you deserve to fail. I for one will not miss either the Cellar Door OR Le Cigare Volant.

  • https://www.santacruz.com/news/2013/01/29/letters_to_the_editor_jan._30_feb._5 TJ Juckson

    Note that Randall Grahm failed to mention any of the real factors that led to the closing of Le Cigare Volant, namely the overpriced entrees, the pathetically small portions, and the hubris that presumed Santa Cruzans would pay for pretentiousness over quality. If you’re so blind that you can’t read the culinary tastes of your audience, then you deserve to fail. I for one will not miss either the Cellar Door OR Le Cigare Volant.

  • https://www.santacruz.com/news/letters_to_the_editor_jan._30_feb._5.html Kathy Cheer

    My unpleasant association, not a dining one, was with the arrogant Cellar Door staff over scheduling an art exhibit in its hallowed halls.  On several different occasions, via phone and in-person visits, I was dismissed with “come back later” or no return calls.  Even the name change, Le Cigare Volant, demonstrated their overall pretentious attitude and the phrase, “thoughtful wines that tell a story”…oh, give me a break.

  • https://www.santacruz.com/news/2013/01/29/letters_to_the_editor_jan._30_feb._5 Kathy Cheer

    My unpleasant association, not a dining one, was with the arrogant Cellar Door staff over scheduling an art exhibit in its hallowed halls.  On several different occasions, via phone and in-person visits, I was dismissed with “come back later” or no return calls.  Even the name change, Le Cigare Volant, demonstrated their overall pretentious attitude and the phrase, “thoughtful wines that tell a story”…oh, give me a break.