Portland Food Writers' Saddest Restaurant and Food Cart Closures of 2021. Today we announce our closure. Celebrated Italian restaurant Renata announced its closure on October 23, citing struggles due to the pandemic. Sister restaurants St. Jack and La Moule remain open. This Mexican restaurant from internet personality Nick Zukin closed on July 3 in Old Town. Hissyfit was our hail mary, a chance to intentionally do everything our ideal way and see if it worked, a post on the restaurants Instagram reads. Today. For a longer list of 2020 closures, check out this piece. True iconic Portland restaurant with an exceptional happy hour and an incredible regular menu including a spectacular beef tartare. The fast casual Indian spot, which serves tandoor-cooked chicken, naan, and vegetarian dishes, has permanently closed its North Williams restaurant, but it appears that it will reopen in another North Portland location. by Eater Staff Dec 30, 2020, 11:14am EST The restaurant suffered from a fire and is closed until further notice while the incident is investigated and repairs can be made. We plan to move forward with a smaller crew, smaller footprint, fewer moving parts and realistic, attainable goals. Read more about the closure. Welcome to Year in Eater 2021, Eater's annual ritual of eulogizing the past 12 months through input from . Pinterest. The Portland outpost of celebrated Seattle restaurant group Relay, Revelry will not reopen after the coronavirus crisis ends. Many restaurants are currently hibernating, hoping to survive the winter; that doesn't mean they will. Please enter a valid email and try again. The restaurants phone line has been disconnected and its website has been taken down. I really miss the rosemary cake . Delores opened as an homage to Smiths mother, with things like pierogi filled with truffles or foie gras. The SE Clinton pizzeria, known for its cheeseburger pies and 4 a.m. delivery cutoff, never officially announced its closure on Instagram or its website, but a post on Reddit indicated that the location was about to close. However, on April 29, the cafe announced on various social media platforms that it would not be reopening its doors ever again. Pok Pok owner Andy Ricker opened the original location in 2005, garnering national attention for his take on Northern Thai food and menu standouts like Ikes Vietnamese Fish Sauce Wings. We hope this is not the last opportunity well [have] to serve each and every one of you. Park Avenue had one of the best wine selections on the west side of the river, if not the city, including heritage wines and rare bottles. To be honest, we just ran out of money. It appears that the COVID-19 pandemic and mounting conflicts between the owner of the bar and its staff are the impetus for the bars shuttering. We only got 4.5 months to do so before the pandemic shut us down. The restaurant reopened in June 2021, but unfortunately, in that brief reopening period, the management team decided to close Dottir and find a new concept for the hotels restaurant. Margins are slim, it requires a lot of labor to do it well, and, in many cases, customers think they should be paying less. Portland so badly needed a beautiful . After a devastating wildfire, this was all that remained of the Restaurant at Meadowood . The press team at Tea Bar has confirmed that the Southwest Portland location of Tea Bar, on the corner of Park Avenue and Yamhill, has closed permanently. A Portland-style pizzeria nestled in the Foster-Powell neighborhood, Char Pizza was beloved for its various pies named for neighborhood and friends cats. Tea Bar closed its Killingsworth location of the tea shop in 2020, but the brand still operates two locations around Portland: one on Division, and another in the Pearl District. I really hope they come back so that I may purchase more of their pickled papaya and fiesta plates. -Jordan Michelman, Sprudge co-founder and beverage writer, I was pretty shocked by Circa 33s closure, especially after I experienced what seemed to be a pretty successful pop-up over the summer, Gin Alley. This North Williams ice cream shop closed for good on August 28 after 10 years in business. Its unclear when Cruzroom announced its closure, but the Alberta Street bar has packed up its things and left the neighborhood. The decision to close was purely financial, wrote owner Liz Davis in the restaurants newsletter. I once locked my keys in my car at Liberty Glass, and spent a cozy evening inside drinking beers while someone drove over to help me out. Imjai has been open since 2014, selling dishes like yen ta fo, also known as pink noodle soup. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. This dive bar, which sits at the bustling intersection of SE Clinton Street and SE 26th Avenue, closed on March 10. Its unclear when this North Tabor taqueria closed, but the front of the restaurant is boarded up and its phone number has been disconnected. An historic restaurant in Vancouver, Eatery at the Grant House will not reopen. A Tabor neighborhood standby for cheese boards, snacks, and pantry staples, Cheese Bar announced that it would close in January 2021. The short-lived biker haunt, barbecue spot, and Alberta neighborhood bar closed for good after service on February 5. It was a wild ride, Portland! the bio reads. Dingers Deli the vegan sandwich cart known for its garlic-fennel veggie meatball subs, faux meat cheesesteaks, and reubens closed July 8 after quickly selling out of its inventory. This beloved Alberta vegan cafe has closed its restaurant and bakery after 13 years. But the following closures made a particularly large impact on the dining scene in 2019, whether sad or shocking (or both). The casual Southern restaurant in the Pearl district has permanently closed its doors due to COVID-19 and an impasse on lease discussions with the buildings landlords. The pandemics timing caused these losses to carry on for much longer. Alter Ego is selling the remainder of its canned ciders at Helioterra Wine Bar. Circa 33, the speakeasy-themed bar on Belmont, has permanently closed after a decade. The bar hinted at potentially reopening in a new location down the line via Instagram. Other sad shutters from 2014 : To Hyang , Q Restaurant , Luna Park , Grand Cafe , Dixie , Nombe , Chez Papa Bistrot , Hi-Lo BBQ , Villa Romana , Beast and the Hare , Plum/Ume , U-Lee , Sunflower . Jackknifes Instagram page has added a link in its bio to a Poached job listing, advertising for positions at Fortune; the address listed is Jackknifes. The Ranger Station, a Hawthorne bar and restaurant, has permanently closed at its current location, according to the bars Instagram. Owners Alan Maniscalco and Shan Wickham attributed the closure to the ongoing economic burden impacting the restaurant industry. Closing a restaurant is always a somber occasion and, unfortunately, Seattle saw plenty of places shutter permanently over the past 12 months. Chef Vitaly Paleys lauded steakhouse Imperial has closed permanently. newsletter, Where to Eat and Drink on the Oregon Coast, Sample fresh seafood and creative comfort food along 363 miles of coastline, James Beard Award Winner Naomi Pomeroy Will Help Quaintrelle Level Up, In the wake of chef Ryley Eckersleys departure, Quaintrelle will host the legendary Portland chef, who will consult with the team through the summer, A Guide to Portlands Most Outstanding Food Carts, Where to catch the citys tastiest meals on wheels, from hand-pulled noodles to chicken adobo, Sign up for the This will allow us to put more energy into Tanglewood and the Williams cafe.. Oops. Bridgetown Bites reports that owner Matt Walker wanted a break from running a bar, and will reopen in a larger location down the line. We are excited to see what chef Sarah Schafer and Anna Caporael do next.-Vicki and Vanessa Ng (@foodbellypdx), influencers, Two downtown closures stand out: Clyde Common seemed so peak Portland it would be a fixture, but I suppose its not 2012 anymore. Roe has had a few stops and starts over the years: closing in its original location to move downtown, losing its opening chef and co-owner. The restaurant last posted in November, but an Oregonian story about an opening in its place indicates that the restaurant closed over the summer. The second, at the end of the year, was Bar King. Small spaces like Williams are particularly susceptible to Covid occupancy limitations and cannot easily break even, Hopworks owner Christian Ettinger told New School Beer. Read more about the closure here. This Jewish deli one of the citys only Jewish delis opened in 2019, and was one of the first to temporarily close to dine-in customers when COVID-19 appeared in Oregon. Two Portland-area Stanfords locations remain open: one in Clackamas, and one in Tanasbourne. This casual Southeast Portland cafe has closed permanently, bad news for many of the communitys artists, comedians, and musicians who would perform in the Ford Building space. Something went wrong. Its unclear if this rising star Arab cart will reopen, but the cart has closed indefinitely after a conflict with one of its neighbors. It is with a heavy heart that I want to announce we are closing the Sellwood cafe, owner Ro Tam wrote in an Instagram post. We have reached a point where we can no longer be certain of our ability to pay our staff and vendors, a closing announcement reads. Gabrielle Quinez Denton and Greg Denton have decided not to reopen their downtown Portland bistro, as they just dont see a path forward without drastically changing the concept, according to a public statement. Per tradition, Eater Portland ends the year by reflecting on the last twelve months of dining in a series we call Year in Eater. by Brenna Houck Dec 29, 2020, 8:45am EST. The restaurants phone has been disconnected, as well as its website; the Instagram account for the restaurant doesnt note the closure. The Pacific Northwestern-themed pizzeria has moved out of its downtown space within the Hotel Lucia. Portland Restaurant Closings on Eater Portland. There are/were many factors involved in determining which direction to go in. Pearl District cocktail bar Botanist has closed after just after its third anniversary. Buckman brewery West Coast Grocery Co. will close this summer, according to owner Charlie Hyde IV. Freelands Northwest Portland tasting room will remain open. is a notable example of tone-deaf corporate behavior. -Bill Oakley, fast food influencer, Paleys Place. Robert Volz is no longer an owner at Neat. Viola Wine Cellars - PFD. Chef Seamus made some of the best New Orleans-style food Ive ever had outside of the Crescent City. We reach out to Portland food writers and influencers for their perspectives on major trends, impressive newcomers, and standout meals, and share their responses in a single package. For those who want to help out the cafes staff as it prepares to close, the cafe has a GoFundMe page for its employees and owner. The local pizza chain announced the closure of half of its locations on March 27. Magnet closed in August, just shy of its one-year anniversary. Chef de cuisine Diane Lam has moved to Mississippi cocktail bar Psychic, where she will revive her pop-up Sunshine Noodles through the end of the year. Rocky Butte Coffee Roasters cafe location closed on December 31. A sign posted at the restaurant cites increased labor and food costs as reasons for the closure. The Northeast Portland location of this beer bar closed March 19, according to a Facebook post. Thank you to everyone who has been part of the Lucky Horseshoe, an Instagram closing announcement reads. This Hawthorne poke restaurant closed after service on November 25, according to executive chef Steven Woerdehoff. The cart will return in the form of pop-ups and farmers market stands in the near future. Uno Mas Taqueria - West Burnside/Civic and SW Glisan - Instagram. In a January 10 social media post, the owners explained that the events of 2020 made it untenable to remain open on Officers Row at Fort Vancouver. This soccer-themed Hawthorne pub has decided to close up shop August 23. This has been the most difficult decision weve ever had to make, but the Toffee Club relies on us filling our space with a lot of happy, cheering fans and that currently just isnt possible, the Instagram announcement reads. The upscale Mexican restaurant closed on March 14. The two Northeast Killingsworth restaurants, known for their passion for incorporating Pacific Northwestern flours and local produce into their pastries, breads, and pizzas, closed on August 14. As many have faced in the climate of modern day virus consequences our North Portland pub just has not been able to gain traction after the last couple of brutal years. The Sellwood sports bar and restaurant opened by Jen Quist and former owner and chef Doug Adams will close on February 26. Details about this soul food restaurants closure are unknown, but it has vacated its Pearl District location and the building has a for-lease sign in the window. The small chain of Iraqi restaurants has decided to close half of its restaurants, focusing exclusively on its first two locations: Alberta and downtown. I would always take out-of-towners there for all of the fun small plates and infused vodkas. This hidden away tasting menu spot in Southeast Portland closed quietly on March 8, announcing via a posted sign and a voicemail recording. Weve built some great relationships in the community, and to those friends weve made along the way were sorry to say goodbye, a closing announcement reads. The deli also served as a Japanese grocery and bakery. These uptown village food carts both served excellent food and were gone too soon.-Rachel Pinsky, Eater Portland contributor, Honestly, any restaurant that had to close this year is a really sad occasion, especially given all that restaurant owners and workers have had to weather and endure up until this point. The brewery will close at the end of August, and is currently pending sale to a brewing team intending to open a new brewery within the space. We got off to an inauspicious start (lockdowns, forest fires, more lockdowns) and we just never managed to catch our stride. It was one of the few Portland restaurants where you could actually dine-in late night (complete with oyster shooters), and their waiters and tinfoil takeout sculptures were always a hoot. -Vicki and Vanessa Ng, Instagram influencers, Its a tie for me. However, the owners have communicated that the business will reopen in a new location. The Cup & Saucer location on Hawthorne closed in early March, after 34 years in Southeast Portland. When we opened 14 months ago, Portland was still in the depths of the pandemic, writes owner Steven Chin in a closing announcement on Instagram. The Saddest Portland Restaurant and Meals Cart Closures of 2022 Every December, Eater Portland ends the yr by reflecting on the final twelve months of eating in a sequence we name Yr in Eater . We reach out to Portland food writers and influencers for their perspectives on major trends, impressive newcomers, and standout meals, and share their responses in a single package. That space has so many memories for me because (as most people know) prior to Ripe, it was Beast. Of course, 2020 was a historic and catastrophic year for the restaurant industry, so our questions this year hinge on that reality. We reach out to Portland food writers and influencers to get their take on key trends, stunning newcomers and . We look forward to the future and being of service to all of you once again, the post reads. The New Orleans-inspired pastry shop NOLA Doughnuts closed all of its Portland-area locations on January 5. Chef Naomi Pomeroy having to close Ripe Cooperative meant the closure of the place that was also Beast. The taproom, owned by a liquid nitrogen ice cream company, originally opened on Northeast Fremont in 2020, before opening and eventually consolidating into a space on North Interstate. This month, Sprints set a date for the closure: June 26. Although the ramen shop has closed at its location, Callahan writes: This is not the end of Menya Hokusei. The restaurant closed January 25, but the business plans to bring its Lil Puddins to markets around Portland in the near future. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. The restaurant opened on New Years Eve in 2018, and in an Instagram closing announcement, the team alluded to returning to the industry after a much-needed break. This has proven to not be a temporary situation and it is not a situation we can manage. Staffing is hard enough these days, (for everyone) but with the building rehab looming, its nearly impossible. Read more about the impending closure here. Some boats just dont float, the closing announcement reads. To all our Jinx family, we regret to inform you that we just have to stop, the closing announcement reads. The sandwich shop from Top Chef alum Gabriel Pascuzzi closed for good on December 19. Also caught by the Oregonian, Prosperity Pie Shoppe a cafe and financial education center has decided to close completely. The owners attributed the closure to drifting interests: Jeremy Garb is pursuing a PhD in molecular microbiology, and owner Tanna TenHoopen Dolinsky is now a practicing social worker. The announcement does not name a specific reason for the closure. The Oregon Weedery moved into the former Waiting Room in September, and Google is reporting the Waiting Room is permanently closed. The cart announced its closure on Instagram. It is with much gratitude and a heavy heart to share that Sunshine Noodles will be closing its doors, owner and chef Diane Lam announced in an Instagram post. Physically and emotionally, we just need to look after ourselves a little bit more. Read more about the closure here. The owners have decided to close this influential chocolate shop in downtown Portland, specializing in ethical and methodically sourced chocolate from around the world. We reach out to Portland food writers and influencers for their perspectives on major trends, impressive newcomers, and standout meals, and share their responses in a single. The Ranger Station first opened in 2014, serving pub fare and plenty of local beer; over time, the restaurant became known for its live music. Owners Aaron and Kelly Silverman closed their pork butcher shop and deli on July 2, citing COVID, rising costs, and other factors in their announcement. I am humbled and honored by your continued support, before and after the pandemic, and I really couldnt have survived this last year without you, writes owner Jennifer Plitzko in an Instagram post. You may be surprised to hear it, but it was just the right time for us and whats next in our lives. Every December, Eater Portland ends the year by reflecting on the last twelve months of eating in what we call a series year in the eater. Rebecca Newlands. The dining room at Flora Bar. Read more about the closure here. Downtown wine bar Park Avenue Fine Wines has moved out of the venerable location at the end of April. -Rachel Pinsky, Eater Portland contributor "Honestly, any restaurant that had to close this year is a really sad occasion, especially given all that restaurant owners and workers have had to weather and endure up until this point. Beyond the lockdowns, the numerous other challenges ranging from staffing & supply chain shortages, illnesses, food & transportation costs (to name a few) have made it impossible to keep YaYa open. Read more about the closure here. By Eater Staff December 20, 2021 Pearl Cocktail Bar Botanist Has Closed for Good. Although it has been on hiatus since the fall of 2019, Bonnie and Israel Morales confirmed that this Slavic bar has permanently closed in March. After 21 years and three locations, Wakerhauser will retire, although she has plans to open a cooking school next year. We have sincerely enjoyed preparing every single dish for all of our customers over the years, the closing announcement reads. Watching them dissolve off the map is surreal, like watching the path behind you disappear as you walk forward. Were incredibly proud of what our team has accomplished here. I can only hope that its legacy continues to influence Portlands culinary scene.-Maya MacEvoy, Eater Portland contributor, I was sad that Gogi Grill in Camas closed. It wasnt my favorite physical space, but the owners and staff more than made up for it: Excellent and affordable wine and cocktails, plus a bar menu that transcended the usual pub-grub style of dining with fresh bruschetta and other snacks. As you all know, we opened during a time when uncertainty was the only constant, an Instagram post reads. Ten years is a long time to do anything in one place, but weve worked hard and have been lucky to weather all kinds of changes. Read more about the closure here. The Mississippi Street Victorian-turned-cocktail bar, once home to chef Diane Lams Prey + Tell and Sunshine Noodles, will close on February 19. Pastry chef Cheryl Wakerhauser closed Portlands preeminent French pastry destination on August 22. The Park family, who owned this place for many years, made it through a fire but the pandemic ended the run of this beloved spot for Korean food. Onwards. The shops last day was October 9. While the team worked towards reopening the cafe, the internal systems and work culture were suffering. I was also sad to see RosyCakes bakery, next to Paper Tiger Coffee Roasters, close. A posted sign says the cafe will close because of increased food and labor costs. Alas, our lease is coming to an end, and we feel ready to pass our beautiful space on to someone new.. Readers have noticed that Fillss downtown Portland location has quietly closed a for lease sign has even popped up in the Fills window. Irving Street Kitchen was one of the first places I went to when I moved here seven years ago. Now, what was the saddest restaurant closing of 2021? Its goodbye for now but we will be doing kits, pop-ups, and much more cool stuff in the future. Welcome to Year in Eater 2022, Eater's annual tradition of celebrating the past 12 months with help from some of the Bay Area's top food and restaurant industry experts. Zells Cafe and the Cakery will close in May, and more news to know. North Mississippi cocktail bar Sidecar shut down on December 23 after years selling barrel-aged cocktails and whiskey flights. Its final day was March 25. Sloans sense of time-swept dislocation has much to do with the dcor, but its changing surroundings contribute as well, Jay Horton writes for Willamette Week. -Janey Wong, reporter for Eater Portland "For me, the closure of Baby Blue was a sad start to the new year. Explore. The Guamanian restaurant within Oakshire Beer Hall closed October 2 after two years. The Mountain roll spinach, kale, mushrooms, black truffle sauce leaves a void in my heart.-Nathan Williams, Eater Portland contributor, Too many to name, but at the top of that list, the Roxy. These past few years have been rough on everyone and we know life has not been easy on you either (and those challenges just kept coming). The pandemic is a thing of the past and were all moving on. This local Thai chains downtown location closed in early 2021. Something went wrong. From Southeast Portland breakfast cafes to North Portland watering holes, these are the restaurants that will permanently close as a result of the coronavirus crisis. There are hundreds thousands of people who have their own stories and memories of these places. Our lease is up in January and after the challenges of the past three years its time for us to take a break, spend some time with our family and focus on growing @awaydaysbrewingco in the new year, co-owners Niki Diamond and Pete Hoppins say in a closing statement. Gene's Po-Boys. It has been a GORGEOUS experiment at 5425 NE 30th, Pomeroy writes. A seafood restaurant in Mall 205, Portland Seafood Company has permanently closed due to unforeseen business downturn related to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a statement on the website. Portland food writers, influencers, and personalities on the closures that hit them hardest this year pdx.eater.com The Saddest Portland Restaurant Closures of 2020 Both Google and Yelp are reporting the business as permanently closed, the website is down, the phone number has been disconnected, and the last Facebook post is from January 2020. After a lengthy pandemic-related hiatus, Bistro Agnes has permanently closed. Random Order has not responded to multiple requests for comment. The poke restaurant from the Bamboo Sushi brand has closed permanently without announcement, now that Micah Camdens next venture a French dip restaurant has announced its impending opening in that space. However, its likely that Biba will return to Portland in some form. Over the last few years, Ristretto has closed the majority of its cafes; it looks like the roaster is still selling beans on its website. This Italian spot in Hillsdale appears to have served its last meatball sandwiches and house-made pasta. The decision doesnt seem to be related to the pandemic; the post says the closure was due to internal issues. Co-owner Andy Kou says he should be working on something else soon, and said those interested in his next move should follow his personal Instagram account, @dobiedaddy. It was in 2021, but Im still sad about Alley Mezza and what led to that closure. The cafe once appeared on Guy Fieris Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. The restaurants Beaverton location remains open. For a longer list of 2020 closures, check out this piece. New COVID-19 distancing restrictions will be burdensome or costly for some small restaurants, or simply impossible to achieve for others, as is the case for Arleta Library, reads a press release from the restaurant. Id been wanting to try Georgian food for years, and I tried one of their bake-at-home cheese boats and was immediately enamored (and I never got to go back and try the khinkali!). By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. Its possible Century will reopen in a new location the bars Instagram accounts bio still reads, Temporarily closed. The NE Alberta food cart Grilled Cheese Grill, which once operated three carts around Portland, has announced its permanent closure after a year-long hiatus. The spot may reopen as a food cart in the fall/winter in the Cully neighborhood with a second cart in SE in a very pedestrian/bike oriented area, according to the closing announcement. Naomi is such an integral figure in Portlands culinary history. The first was seeing Shift Drinks close. Nicolai McCrary. I spent every penny i had on this setup & just sold my car to pay my rent so i could make it through to spring, but the universe had different plans, the closing announcement reads. After announcing the closures of Imperial and The Crown, Paley went on to close his seafood restaurant Headwaters and his most recent opening, a Mediterranean restaurant called Rosa Rosa. Read more about the closure here. It was casual and celebratory at the same time. The vegan Middle Eastern restaurants have existed in one form or another for almost 10 years. Read more about the closure here. The hit soul food cart announced its temporary closure on August 20. While Nodoguro looks around for a new space, chef and restaurateur Ryan Roadhouse has announced that the fine dining omakase spots sibling, Tonari, will not reopen. Homegrown Smoker served its last faux-mac and cheese under Ridabocks guidance on December 19, but should reopen soon under this new ownership. Seven Stars Pepper. A taco shop lauded for its Austin-style tacos and its margaritas, Stella Taco closed shop for good on July 19. Bar owner Eric Bowler has slowly closed several of his bars, including this club in the Old Town district. I will forever miss stopping by for a sandwich or ochazuke. -Seiji Nanbu, Eater Portland contributor, There are just so many, it feels unfair to leave any off this list. Read more about the closure via the Instagram post. With our lease at an end, we felt this presented an opportunity for change: time for more focus on well-being and family; time to consider new and inspiring projects. Read more about the closure here. The Belmont taproom is now closed. Carey has not responded to requests for comments on the closure. I still respect Kate Brown a hell of a lot, Volz says. On May 22, restaurateur David Machado announced that he would close all of his restaurants: Altabira City Tavern, Citizen Baker, Nel Centro, Pullman Wine Bar and Merchant, and Tanner Creek Tavern. Neither was trying to open one. New Mexican restaurant La Panza closed for good in 2020 with little to no announcement. The two-story-house-turned-bar first opened in 2011, and felt like one of those truly Portland-y spaces, where regulars would drink cocktails and eat chile verde on the porch. After 30 years in downtown Portland, Persian House closed its doors in May. Nine years ago we opened a food cart on Mississippi Ave. Five and a half years ago we turned it into a restaurant in St Johns. Thanks for everything.. Heres hoping were wrong. Read more about the closure here. The website's Alex Frane mentioned the bar in a list of the "Saddest Portland Restaurant Closures of 2020". The Vancouver waterfront location of this seafood chain has permanently closed; the COO of parent company Landrys said the inability to serve dine-in customers made it difficult to remain open. A group of owners from Victoria, Hey Love, and Villa Royale, a Palm Springs resort, will open a new bar in the space. This Belmont creperie closed its restaurant space on April 30, instead focusing on mobile catering. We arent quite sure whats next, but the equation here will not solve.