Restaurant served with violation warnings

The owners of Blue Table, a Calabasas store and eatery, say they might have to close their establishment in the spring because of code violations, including one that requires additional parking and bathroom space.

Jim and Ellen Marcione, and Stefano and Gina Lisi bought Blue Table in April 2004. The store and deli is in the Calabasas Plaza shopping center on Park Granada.

In November the owners were told that the store was in violation of parking and loading codes.

"We thought the best solution would be to move," Gina Lisi said. "Then we'd have ample table space and bathroom space. We have three Realtors we've been working with. Some deals didn't go through because of the economy."

Lisi also said business has decreased dramatically since the tables had to be removed because the eatery does not have a restaurant designation.

"Without our table space we won't be able to afford the move," Lisi said. "We'll probably end up closing in April or May. Hopefully we can come up with a great resolution."

In November, Blue Table owners submitted more than 1,000 signatures in support of the restaurant, but City Attorney Michael Colantuono said they failed to turn in some paperwork.

"It would make it much easier for us to cooperate with them if they would cooperate with us," Colantuono said. "I don't think they are bad people, I just think they are naive as to how this process works. And by simply failing to sign a piece of paper called an application, they've made it very difficult for staff to work with them."

Councilmember Barry Groveman asked for more information on the issue, which could not be openly discussed because it was not on the agenda. Groveman and Mayor Pro Tem Jonathon Wolfson asked that a discussion on Blue Table be put on the agenda; it will be discussed at the Jan. 28 City Council meeting.

The case has been referred to the city prosecutor because of Blue Table's consistent violation of codes.

"The council cannot give direction to a criminal prosecutor," Colantuono said. "There is a strict separation between the types of decisions elected officials make and the types of decisions appointed prosecutors make."

Groveman said he doesn't intend to interfere with the prosecutor's investigation.

"I'm seeing a communityoriented business," Groveman said. "As far as I'm concerned, sometimes you have to bend the rules. I'm willing to really look at this."