Michael's goes up in smoke

Even 3 years ago, Michaels, La Hacienda and The Como were all up and running and for sale in Little Italy.

The Como sold to a family from Bangladesh who has been unable to open it despite the insistence of supporters that the Antonaccis and Colluccis would help run it.

Michael Capizzi and family kept Michael’s going and never were able to find a buyer. Last night, shortly after 9 p.m. police and fire were called to the scene shortly after the restaurant had closed for the night.

It is too soon to say what comes next for for Michaels. I believe our last entree was anchovies, olives, garlic and oil over spaghetti. The simple dishes are always the best.

I hope Fortuna’s and La Hacienda keep going strong.

Social media speculation of the worst kind filtered out this morning. I am not a fire investigator but when times are tough, sometimes maintenance gets deferred or vent systems deteriorate without anyone knowing until it is too late. That is a way more likely cause of fire than anything nefarious.

As always, Rob Bennett was there to give the Robshots view of our first responders. Investigators typically work from the place of most damage to determine the origin of a fire. Suspicious fires often have multiple points of origin or accelerants. They don't start in the kitchen.