Remembering Mollie

Okay, okay. Yes, most other media have already reported that Mollie Ahlstrand of Trattoria Mollie on Coast Village Road was planning to open a location on State Street next to the Granada, a space previously occupied by the once popular Tupelo Junction. Can I just tell you that I knew about this a couple months ago but that both Ali Ahlstrand, Mollie’s son, and Mollie, asked that I not write about it until… well, until they were ready. Being a considerate guy, I said, “Sure, as long as I get to print it first.” 

They agreed, but unfortunately, an enterprising journalist or foodie spied the activity at the new location and saw that Trattoria Mollie was named on the window as the new occupant.

So, after reading the news on Noozhawk, the Independent, the Voice, the News-Press and probably the Brentwood Breeze, I sat down with Ali to glean a little more information about Mollie’s big move. He told me me they’re planning a “grand opening” on Friday, June 15, for which he’s preparing a buffet. 

“We are keeping our Coast Village spot. We love this location,” he says. “We’ve been here for many years [24 going on 25], and now that the Four Seasons Biltmore has re-opened and the summer season has officially begun, things should be good.” He also mentions the Miramar is close to being finished, and that it too will be “a nice addition to businesses on Coast Village Road.”

Ali credits longtime friend Ray Mayboob for turning him on to the new location. “Without Ray,” Ali says, “it would not have been possible. One day, as I was walking down State Street with Ray,” Ali relates. “I saw a space I liked and said to Ray, ‘Make sure you keep me in mind if that becomes vacant’. That was just a joke, but he says, ‘Wait. Why don’t you move to Tupelo Junction? That’s a great location for you.’ As soon as he said that, I said, ‘Wow. That’s perfect. Why don’t we meet tomorrow morning?’ It was just that fast.” Mr. Mayboob is one of the largest individual property owners on State Street.

As for the new location, there are about a hundred seats inside and four outside. The new Mollie’s will be closed Mondays but open for lunch and dinner every other day. Plans call for bringing Mollie’s popular Business Express lunch special from Coast Village Road, a $15 all-inclusive meal. “You can be in and out in less than an hour,” he says. The new Mollie’s will also be offering a prix-fixe dinner menu for people attending theater performances or a movie. 

Ali and his crew are in the middle of changing the decor, but luckily they’ve been able to salvage all the equipment and have spent the last few weeks cleaning the ovens and other well-used devices. Eileen Dill has re-designed the interior.

Ali has other plans and I pressed him about them, but, he says he couldn’t tell me more because he hasn’t “signed the lease yet,” but that I’ll “be the first” to find out.

“It won’t be another Trattoria Mollie,” Ali reveals, “but it will certainly be comparable to what we offer. It will be a nice addition. But, let’s wait. I don’t want to jinx it.”

Mollie’s is at 1218 State Street. You can call (805) 770-8300 for reservations.