The owners of Boulettes Larder and its companion dinner spot Bouli Bar, in the Ferry Building, made the unusual move this week of admitting that business isn't going so well, as Eater notes. Whereas a few years ago they might have just turned to Groupon in an effort to bring in bodies (remember those innocent days?), co-owner Amaryll Schwertner took to her blog to "humbly... ask all of you who are able to come and have a meal at Boulettes Larder." She says, "There are too many empty places at our tables and so much effort put into welcoming you," and she writes that the more newly opened Bouli Bar feels "near lonely most nights, and the beautiful food is incomplete with[out] your enjoyment."

Boulettes Larder benefited over the years from blog and print promotion from critic Michael Bauer, who was always a fan, particularly of their breakfasts and Sunday brunch. But after the opening of Bouli Bar last summer, Michael Bauer liked the food in his December review but was less than pleased with "timing issues" and some "amateurish service."

Schwertner wants everyone to know that there's now Happy Hour at Bouli Bar, with discounted cocktails and small plates, Tuesday to Saturday, 3 to 6 p.m. And she's hoping that all the customers who "had wanted us to open on evenings" will actually begin showing up on evenings.

See the menus at Boulettes and Bouli bar here.

[Eater]
[Boulettes/blog]