Bon Savor: the back story

This week I reviewed Bon Savor, a charming little Jamaica Plain restaurant with a new chef: Marco Suarez, formerly of Eastern Standard.

His presence made Bon Savor worthy of re-review. But there was another reason I wanted to revisit this restaurant (which is also known for its brunch, by the way, something I didn't write about).

Shortly after they brought Suarez on this past summer, owners Ibonne Zabala and Oleg Konovalov and their 10-month-old went to Zabala's native Colombia for a visit. They got stuck there due to visa issues. And they have not been able to return home.

The problem is their E-2 visa, according to Zabala. This type of visa allows people from certain countries to live in the US "to carry on substantial trade, including trade in services or technology, principally between the United States and the treaty country, or to develop and direct the operations of an enterprise in which the national has invested, or is in the process of investing a substantial amount of capital," according to the US Department of State.

The problem may lie in the word "substantial." Zabala says they were told they were not producing enough income, and their E-2 visa was revoked. "At the same time, we have been supporting more than 10 jobs in the community and growing in sales, and improving everyday," she wrote in an e-mail (that ended, rather heartbreakingly, with the words "Pray for us").

This is a difficult situation for restaurateurs. "Substantial" profits may mean a very different thing in the restaurant business than in other industries. It's also a difficult situation for parents. Their baby is a US citizen.

Zabala says the community of Jamaica Plain has rallied around them, offering support. Congressman Capuano's office confirms it is working on their behalf. As of Sunday, Zabala sounded positive. "We have passed through difficult times trying to get back home, but we're still thinking it's possible," she wrote. "Our lawyer is trying to solve everything, hopefully to have us at home in the next two weeks."

It's a sad irony that people who are contributing to the fabric of their neighborhood are having such a hard time returning to it.