Monday, July 28, 2014

Urban pL8 Reportedly "Dismisses" Entire Kitchen Staff

Restaurant closes early after kitchen mishap.

Urban pL8, the paleo friendly restaurant with a cult-like following on the Westside, reportedly had a serious kitchen catastrophe Sunday afternoon.  The restaurant, located on Huff Road not far from Marietta Boulevard, was not accepting new customers as of approximately 1:35 PM Sunday afternoon.  A ToNeTo Atlanta reader and patron of Urban Pl8 was one of many diners turned away from the restaurant. According to this reader, something went "haywire in the kitchen" and "the entire kitchen staff was fired on the spot."  

Urban pL8 opened as normal at 10 AM for Sunday brunch service, but did not serve after approximately 1:30 PM (normal close is 4 PM for brunch service) and according to a restaurant employee, did not reopen for their Sunday Paleo Buffet, which  normally runs 5 PM to 9:30 PM.  Urban pl8 is not normally open Mondays or Tuesdays, but according to the employee, it "will hopefully be open" presumably with normal hours, on Wednesday.  If in fact the entire kitchen staff was fired, this would seem to be a difficult schedule to maintain.  

Additionally, Sunday nights are normally dedicated to preparing "to-go" meals that are then delivered to CrossFit gyms around town.  It's unclear if this task was completed under the circumstances.  

Urban pL8 was opened during the summer of 2009 by Betsy Pitts. Urban pL8 is Betsy’s first restaurant endeavor since her days as sous chef at Bacchanalia and Floataway Café. The restaurant was previously on my DeathWatch list, but has seemingly carved out a niche among Atlanta diners, especially Crossfit participants, willing to travel for her healthy fare.  

Strangely, no message was left on either the restaurant's facebook page or on their voicemail to alert patrons to the issue and potentially delayed opening this week.  

What is the strangest thing you've had happen to you at a restaurant?  Do you think Urban pL8 can bounce back? What is your favorite Westside eatery?

Please share your thoughts below. 

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

If Crossfitters were keeping it in business then yes, it will bounce back. Those folks keep going back to Crossfit after rhabdo and a plethora of other injuries.

Anonymous said...

Looks like they got busy with their facebook page - bringing back Chef Jamila Tobias and regular hours starting on Wednesday.

Anonymous said...

That place has been a mess for years. They need to clean up that alcoholic that owns the place and maybe these catastrophes wouldn't be so regular. Good to hear Chef Jamila is back.

Anonymous said...

I agree with the immediate above comment. For someone who focuses on others "health" the owner does not practice it in her own life. I worked there a few years ago, and the owner needs a serious intervention and a 12 step program. However I DISagree with the Chef Jamila comments. Terrible cook, NOT a Chef, and shes an enabler. Good luck to all.

Anonymous said...

From what I have heard the restaurant has been giveñ 3 chances from health department to get placed cleaned and all equipment fixed. The score is a 80 and probably should be worse. Expect urban plate to close its doors soon. What they should do is just chalk it up as a lose and not get back into f&b or only do catering if people say cross fit is only reason they are open. They won't after someone gets sick.

Anonymous said...

All Kitchens have problems. They have been working on the kitchen and are super busy. They are really good about addressing customer issues.

Anonymous said...

Check out urban pl8's FB page. Closed for good.

Anonymous said...

surprised she hasn't burned the place down yet...that kitchen is in seriously bad shape on many levels. Owner needs more than just a 12 step; interpersonal relationship training, business management, health class, etc. She should close, and get her act together before reopening anywhere!
Betsy! GET SOME SERIOUS HELP!

Anonymous said...

That place had been riding the hot mess express since at least 2011. I'm surprised they made it this far. Staff turnover was the highest of any place I have EVER worked.

Anonymous said...

If I met her, she looked very exhausted messy and kept drinking and pouring her jack daniel at the bar at 1. Very odd.

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