Some thought it would never happen. They don’t know Martin Chavez.
He will always remember the call that came at the end of May.
“My manager said to come quick, the restaurant is on fire,” remembers the owner of Plaza Bistro.
“I raced over. There was smoke, fire engines; it looked bad,” said Chavez, shaking his head at the horrible memory.
After the smoke lifted and the debris cleared Chavez was happy to see the damage wasn’t as bad as he first thought.
“I looked around, it was bad but I thought we could reopen in two weeks or so.”
Chavez hadn’t counted on the inspectors. Repairs on the charming old building that houses his restaurant stretched into months as building codes required him to bring the structure up to current standards.
It was a major setback for Chavez. Restaurant space on the Plaza is at a premium and leases are sky high. Another person might have walked away from the financial hardship. After all, even in good times the restaurant business is a high-stakes gamble.
Not Chavez. He never thought of quitting his dream.
“I have been in the business for 20 years,” he said with a gentle accent. “I have done everything – kitchen, wait tables, worked the bar – but this is my first restaurant. I couldn’t leave. And Sonoma has been very supportive; this is my town. No, I never thought of giving up.”
Five months later, Plaza Bistro is back in business and Chavez is back doing what he loves, running his restaurant. While helping out behind the bar, he extended his special brand of warm thanks to a select group of friends, business associates and loyal patrons who gathered for a re-grand opening of Plaza Bistro on Monday.
Chavez has no immediate plans to change the recipe that made his restaurant a Sonoma Valley favorite for more than four years.
“We will continue to offer a selection of wines from small, unique vintners,” he said. “Any savings we receive, I make sure to pass on to the customers.”
Chavez has used his downtime wisely. He has discussed offering new specialty dishes and appetizers with his chef, Manuel Catalan. But according to Chavez, he must take care of business first.
“We have to rebuild slowly,” he admits. “We’ve reopened and that was a challenge. Now, I just need to continue to compete with the other plaza restaurants, which is also a challenge. But later, perhaps in the spring,” he said with a twinkle in his eye, “we may be ready to offer something new.”
Plaza Bistro is located at 420 First St. East and is open seven days a week. For information call 707.996.4466.
