A sad day for gnocchi

Chef Brian Konefal, the talent behind the amazing gnocchi, carbonara, and other fine dishes at Bina Osteria, has left the kitchen. The restaurant is lowering its price point and he is moving on. Co-owner Azita Bina-Seibel is now executive chef.

It's too bad, because Konefal's dishes were really great. Bina-Seibel, of course, is no slouch! I look forward to eating her food. But it's also too bad that Boston couldn't support Bina in its original incarnation. It was expensive, but not that expensive -- many other restaurants charge equal prices for lesser food. It's been clear that they were struggling. The dining room was often emptier than it should be, and e-mails with enticing special offers arrived regularly. Hopefully the lower price point will help Bina weather the economy.

In the meantime, a moment of silence for those gnocchi, please.