Jimmy and Nancy Moniodes, owners of Got Cupcakes?, have enjoyed the Italian-American cuisine at Cafe Symposio for years, so they were shocked when they heard that it closed.
"We have lived near the restaurant for 13 years," Nancy Moniodes said. "We have eaten there and the food was delicious."
According to Martha Verdi, membership representative of the Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores, the eatery, located at 2700 Sunrise Highway, opened around 1994.
"It is unknown why the restaurant closed," Verdi said.
One of the things that customers remembered most about Cafe Symposio were the entrees that were served over "delicious" mashed potatoes, Verdi said.
According to Susie Pokalsky, spokesperson for the Town of Hempstead, a permit was issued to Carvalhos Restaurant for the construction of minor interior alterations to the existing space on Feb. 2.
"I hear that it will be a Portuguese barbecue place," Jimmy Moniodes said. "I look forward to that."
Gina Gokey, of Franklin Square, said that she will miss the little bistro with the noticeable blue awning.
"I was very surprised to hear that it closed," Gokey said. "I ate there a few times and the food was very good."
Bellmore Patch will regularly spotlight vacant commercial properties in effort to initiate a discussion within the community about alternative uses for these abandoned places. If you'd like to know more about a specific property, please comment below.
