FROED One Government Center Fall River, MA 02722-7700 Tel 508-324-2620 Fax 508-677-2840 info@froed.org		DOWNTOWN FALL RIVER RESTAURANT FLOURISHES New England Business Bulletin, August, 2008 - Page 2 Trio Café and Lounge at 201 South Main St. in downtown Fall River is a Southcoast dining experience not to be missed. Located in the historic cultural center building and across the street from the construction of the Superior Courthouse, it is just a block north of a stunning view of the Braga Bridge. Trio opened in 2004 and expanded in 2006 with the help of a $120,000 low-interest loan from the Fall River Office of Economic Development. Location is clearly one key to Trio's success. Another is the vibrant interior décor. Entering the building one is struck by the elegance of the two main dining areas each with a full bar designed in contemporary hues of orange and red with black angled mirrors. The walls' numerous expressionist paintings are by another Fall River discovery, artist and friend, Rene Gagnon, a post graffiti abstract expressionist, recently featured in the New York Times. Proprietor Tony Rodrigues, one of three restaurant owners, hence the name Trio, credits his partners for the décor that conveys a "contemporary European atmosphere." The cuisine is European with a "touch of Portuguese," he said. According to Rodrigues, the primary goal is preparing and serving "quality food" which is what is giving Trio's a great reputation. There are many traditional Azorean and Portuguese restaurants in the city, he said, but Trio is different. The restaurant, open Wednesday through Saturday, has been able to attract a diverse clientele from as far away as Somerset or Marion, and even from the Providence area. There are probably about 80 people who return on a regular basis, Rodrigues said. "We have been very fortunate. When we opened up we were a new concept," he said. Trio's standard of excellence is something that former Fall River Mayor Edward Lambert and other economic development leaders in the city were hoping for when they helped the restaurant expand in 2006. The current administration also hopes to see more quality restaurants like Trio open in the downtown area, according to Rodrigues who said, "the new administration has a vision. They have great ideas." The restaurant's beautiful turn of the century great room which seats 350 and allows the restaurant owners to market themselves for functions including area weddings is also a boon, as well as a second floor room above the dining area that is used regularly for private parties of up to 50. Rodrigues, who teaches Portuguese at Fall River High School, and his partners and fellow teachers brother Paul Rodrigues and Brian Carvalho, have the knack for running successful restaurants. They have been in business for 12 years and also operate a breakfast restaurant as well as managing and catering weddings and other large events. Hiring and maintaining good reliable staff is a challenge for restaurant owners, but Rodrigues said his employees are all former students who are intelligent, loyal and hard working. In addition to great food, an extra attraction for customers is Trio's mid-week special of two entrees and a bottle of wine for $29. Customers who check out the restaurant for the special often become weekend regulars, according to Rodrigues. Back