Restaurant Closings 2018 [Events]
2018 Jan 17
Although technically it closed in 2017, just found out Detroit Soul Food's Ghost Restaurant closed in November. Never got to try it as I didn't live in range. With the percentages taken by Uber (30) I can see how it would be a tough go to make ends meet. I'm sure he'll be back better than ever!
Looks like he's still doing catering:
www.detroitsoulfood.ca/
Looks like he's still doing catering:
www.detroitsoulfood.ca/
2018 Jan 17
You shouldn't.
30% overhead is probably less than the overhead of having a physical space, definitely if that includes seating and staff. He simply doesn't have the business acumen to succeed on his own, nor apparently the temperament to maintain a healthy relationship with a business partner. He's attempted various models and all have been rather spectacular failures.
The problem could, in part, be the food (honestly, I wasn't terribly impressed the two times I was actually able to get some of his fried chicken, both from his food truck) but I think it's clear that whatever he's been doing doesn't work.
Even if I thought his food was great I don't think I'd hire him for any catering needs, I'd be too worried he'd be a no-show or problematic. The "History" section on his own website is giant red flag, having failed a half dozen times isn't confidence inspiring.
30% overhead is probably less than the overhead of having a physical space, definitely if that includes seating and staff. He simply doesn't have the business acumen to succeed on his own, nor apparently the temperament to maintain a healthy relationship with a business partner. He's attempted various models and all have been rather spectacular failures.
The problem could, in part, be the food (honestly, I wasn't terribly impressed the two times I was actually able to get some of his fried chicken, both from his food truck) but I think it's clear that whatever he's been doing doesn't work.
Even if I thought his food was great I don't think I'd hire him for any catering needs, I'd be too worried he'd be a no-show or problematic. The "History" section on his own website is giant red flag, having failed a half dozen times isn't confidence inspiring.
2018 Jan 29
Havana Cafe is now closed - Just went to their website to verify after another thread mentioned a new location going in at 1200 Bank where Havana was.
www.havanacafe.ca/
Bummer, where else will I get Yucca fries?
www.havanacafe.ca/
Bummer, where else will I get Yucca fries?
2018 Feb 20
I’ve seen other owners have their restaurants listed even if they aren’t in dire straights financially.
It might just mean that the owner is willing to get paid and move on.
I imagine that the actual sale price for Rosie’s would be $100000-$150000 (nothing to back that number up with, just my assumption) so the price seems way too high. $400000 just seems like he’ll take the money if somebody is willing to pay
It might just mean that the owner is willing to get paid and move on.
I imagine that the actual sale price for Rosie’s would be $100000-$150000 (nothing to back that number up with, just my assumption) so the price seems way too high. $400000 just seems like he’ll take the money if somebody is willing to pay
2018 Feb 27
Holland's Cake and Shake is becoming a Morning Owl location where Michael will be the pastry chef. He intends to keep some of the current menu, but hasn't gone into too much detail on exactly what will change and what will stay the same.
www.facebook.com
www.facebook.com
2018 Mar 4
Didn't see it posted anywhere else, but So Good will be closing up shop on April 13. Looks like Peter & Co are retiring.
Too bad! Love that salt & pepper tofu.
www.google.ca
Too bad! Love that salt & pepper tofu.
www.google.ca
2018 Mar 12
Kochu Sushi - just the Elgin Street location - closed.
Their 266 Preston Street location continues (take-out, delivery and dine-in). Excellent!
Their 266 Preston Street location continues (take-out, delivery and dine-in). Excellent!
2018 Mar 22
Re : Antipazzo
We went there frequently enough to be considered regulars. Mainly since we like to support local businesses and partly because we are lazy, but with 10+ visits under our belt, we could see this coming. In fact I'm surprised they lasted this long.
When they first opened last March the place was quite bustling, busier than when it was Taylors I would say. The thing that struck us early on was the turn over in servers. This continued until they seemed to get rid of all of them and it was just the owner & his wife serving. It was also getting quieter so we figured they didn't want to pay for staff if they could do it themselves. But then we noticed the turnover in the kitchen as well (maybe that was happening all the time, we just didn't notice).
The food was always ok, never good enough to write a nice review about and never bad enough to outright complain about, although the last visit came close. I never wrote a review here because it would be basically "Meh - YMMV" and I hoped they would improve.
The one thing that was constant was the owner & his wife, and we got the impression it was "Tonys way or the highway". I did give feedback a couple of times, like when my favourite dish was taken off the menu. Rather than "thanks for the feedback" I got "well, we are trying something different, maybe it'll come back someday". Six months later it hadn't and I was struggling to find a new "go to" dish.
Well, we decided to try somewhere different thinking we might go back someday. I guess not now.
Ratty.
We went there frequently enough to be considered regulars. Mainly since we like to support local businesses and partly because we are lazy, but with 10+ visits under our belt, we could see this coming. In fact I'm surprised they lasted this long.
When they first opened last March the place was quite bustling, busier than when it was Taylors I would say. The thing that struck us early on was the turn over in servers. This continued until they seemed to get rid of all of them and it was just the owner & his wife serving. It was also getting quieter so we figured they didn't want to pay for staff if they could do it themselves. But then we noticed the turnover in the kitchen as well (maybe that was happening all the time, we just didn't notice).
The food was always ok, never good enough to write a nice review about and never bad enough to outright complain about, although the last visit came close. I never wrote a review here because it would be basically "Meh - YMMV" and I hoped they would improve.
The one thing that was constant was the owner & his wife, and we got the impression it was "Tonys way or the highway". I did give feedback a couple of times, like when my favourite dish was taken off the menu. Rather than "thanks for the feedback" I got "well, we are trying something different, maybe it'll come back someday". Six months later it hadn't and I was struggling to find a new "go to" dish.
Well, we decided to try somewhere different thinking we might go back someday. I guess not now.
Ratty.
2018 Mar 23
@OSM No, it was NAPO Farm to Table Italian Cuisine
that he ran in the past. It had good food but was in a really crappy/doomed location close to the Blue Heron mall on Bank.
2018 Mar 25
BaiDu
Bai Du has a big ole eviction notice dated late feb in their window. TBF, despite my haiku on their page, they were pretty decent for takeout in the end. Oh well, the superior AYCE sushi down the street (sushi kan or 168 sushi) killed them probably.
Bai Du has a big ole eviction notice dated late feb in their window. TBF, despite my haiku on their page, they were pretty decent for takeout in the end. Oh well, the superior AYCE sushi down the street (sushi kan or 168 sushi) killed them probably.
2018 Mar 31
Re: Farm Team.
I can't say I'm overly surprised. Admittedly, I never went but the ownership seemed good at pissing people off.
1) ottawacitizen.com
2) www.cbc.ca
There was a story going around online that also showed he was giving nearby restaurants poor reviews on whatever Zomato was before it changed.
I dunno, I feel many restaurants in Ottawa work together and when you do stuff like in the articles above, you're making things harder on yourself.
I can't say I'm overly surprised. Admittedly, I never went but the ownership seemed good at pissing people off.
1) ottawacitizen.com
2) www.cbc.ca
There was a story going around online that also showed he was giving nearby restaurants poor reviews on whatever Zomato was before it changed.
I dunno, I feel many restaurants in Ottawa work together and when you do stuff like in the articles above, you're making things harder on yourself.
2018 Jun 3
Stubbe Chocolates in the market!
Okay, not closing, but they are moving this fall to 1224 Wellington Street West (at Hinton). It's that little sideways mini-mall building next to Morris Home Hardware. You can go to the old store on Dalhousie June 19th to 23rd for 50% off old stock before they move. That's a hell of a deal.
Coupled with the closing of cococo above, this is good news.
Okay, not closing, but they are moving this fall to 1224 Wellington Street West (at Hinton). It's that little sideways mini-mall building next to Morris Home Hardware. You can go to the old store on Dalhousie June 19th to 23rd for 50% off old stock before they move. That's a hell of a deal.
Coupled with the closing of cococo above, this is good news.
2018 Jun 6
Chocolate in the Market area is taking a bit of a hit with the closing of Cylie Chocoates on Dalhousie as well. In their case, they have not gone out of business but apparently their landlord did not renew their lease so they are closed but looking for a new place to set up shop. I will miss stopping in for their hot chocolate.
2018 Aug 28
That is brutal. Pomeroy House has been my favourite place to eat in Ottawa for quite some time now. Have had many memorable dinners, brunches, and the occasional lunch there too. Brought new people there many times including just on Sunday for brunch - we made plans to return soon for dinner with the newcomers because they loved it too. Arg.
2018 Aug 29
It really is a shame, nice people..
The good news for the staff is everyone is looking for front & back of the house, most will probably be able to find work easily but I'm sure it's like a family breaking up..
No such thing as failure, only attempts @ success, in many ways they achieved it & I wish them nothing but the best...
The good news for the staff is everyone is looking for front & back of the house, most will probably be able to find work easily but I'm sure it's like a family breaking up..
No such thing as failure, only attempts @ success, in many ways they achieved it & I wish them nothing but the best...
2018 Aug 30
Urban Juice Press around the corner from Parkdale (urbanjuicepress.ca) (www.reddit.com).
2018 Sep 11
I’m new to Brampton. I always go to Crispy’s (best hot fresh fried chicken around) and decided to check out Brampton back in April. It’s a little different than what I’m used to in Toronto. But it’s still good. Note: Brampton doesn’t take credit cards.
I’ll have to go back and try Guru’s when they’re not too busy.
I’ll have to go back and try Guru’s when they’re not too busy.
2018 Oct 1
With no apparent warning or detox period, vaya con dios the Starbucks on Bank at Hopewell in OOS.
My reaction was more or less as follows in text form:
"AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH NOOOOOOOO WTFFFFFF YOU BASTAAAAAARDSSSSSS HOWCOULDYOU NOOOOAAAAAAARRRRRRGHHHHHH..."
*Looks at Happy Goat across the street, Black Squirrel kitty corner'ish, Bridgehead two blocks away'ish, Life of Pie three doors down...gets over it, moves on with life. Total mourning period, +/_ten seconds.*
My reaction was more or less as follows in text form:
"AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH NOOOOOOOO WTFFFFFF YOU BASTAAAAAARDSSSSSS HOWCOULDYOU NOOOOAAAAAAARRRRRRGHHHHHH..."
*Looks at Happy Goat across the street, Black Squirrel kitty corner'ish, Bridgehead two blocks away'ish, Life of Pie three doors down...gets over it, moves on with life. Total mourning period, +/_ten seconds.*
2018 Oct 3
Table 85 permanently closed to the public. They posted this today:
“Table 85 permanently Closed for public as a restaurant.
Table 85 will be operated as only catering company
We tried bring our own Korean style menu other restaurant don't have on their menu since 2015 March. And we open second location call Table SODAM at 1200 bank st.
SODAM is open as a Korean restaurant and Table 85 will be open as a catering kitchen.
Thank you so much supporting and visiting Table 85 event basement location. We got lots of friends and supporters past few years and I am so happy with that. However I have to say bye to our customers and friends even I don't want to..
Thanks and Bye..
Sean Nam, hard worker at Table 85”
“Table 85 permanently Closed for public as a restaurant.
Table 85 will be operated as only catering company
We tried bring our own Korean style menu other restaurant don't have on their menu since 2015 March. And we open second location call Table SODAM at 1200 bank st.
SODAM is open as a Korean restaurant and Table 85 will be open as a catering kitchen.
Thank you so much supporting and visiting Table 85 event basement location. We got lots of friends and supporters past few years and I am so happy with that. However I have to say bye to our customers and friends even I don't want to..
Thanks and Bye..
Sean Nam, hard worker at Table 85”
2018 Oct 15
This one stings. Boko Bakery is closing down as of December 1. Maybe sooner, they haven't announced their last day of business, but their lease is up November 30 and they won't be renewing.
2018 Oct 26
Not surprised about wine and food festival as there are booze and/food festivals almost every weekend in the city. I would argue that we might almost have too many of these types of events. Poutine Fest, MacNCheese fest....
It's like the ottawa craft beer festival... there are craft beer events almost every week of one sort or another so if you want to drink craft beers, you can do that easily and in many cheaper by avoiding these events.
It's like the ottawa craft beer festival... there are craft beer events almost every week of one sort or another so if you want to drink craft beers, you can do that easily and in many cheaper by avoiding these events.
2018 Oct 26
Re: Ottawa Food & Wine show
“I’m shocked at the lack of the communication from an event that has had (up until now) an excellent reputation. I’m disappointed beyond belief and out hard-earned money that I had saved up to be able to attend,” she said.
First of all, your hyperbole is a bit much. Disappointed beyond belief? Seriously?
Second, the only reputation I know of with regard to this show is that it has turned into a college binge drinking festival. Of course people go there to drink and have fun, but for at least 20 of those 33 years it has been unattendable by people with any manners at all. Mostly I would be pushed around by people who wanted to get at some booth or other and simply could not wait. After a few years of that, I just stopped going altogether.
It's a great idea in theory, but not in practice. In my experience.
The Jan. 6, 2016 affidavit also complained about the festival’s “many disruptive aspects,” including “over-pouring of alcohol by exhibitors, intoxication, crowd control issues, instances of theft, intoxicated exhibitors, urination on the show floor and vomiting.”
I rest my case.
“I’m shocked at the lack of the communication from an event that has had (up until now) an excellent reputation. I’m disappointed beyond belief and out hard-earned money that I had saved up to be able to attend,” she said.
First of all, your hyperbole is a bit much. Disappointed beyond belief? Seriously?
Second, the only reputation I know of with regard to this show is that it has turned into a college binge drinking festival. Of course people go there to drink and have fun, but for at least 20 of those 33 years it has been unattendable by people with any manners at all. Mostly I would be pushed around by people who wanted to get at some booth or other and simply could not wait. After a few years of that, I just stopped going altogether.
It's a great idea in theory, but not in practice. In my experience.
The Jan. 6, 2016 affidavit also complained about the festival’s “many disruptive aspects,” including “over-pouring of alcohol by exhibitors, intoxication, crowd control issues, instances of theft, intoxicated exhibitors, urination on the show floor and vomiting.”
I rest my case.
2018 Oct 31
Briana Kim of Café My House will be closing her resto in January and will be opening a new one called Alice. No date or location has been announced. More info is here: ottawacitizen.com
2018 Nov 22
That one is interesting. I had always driven by and noticed it looked quiet, but after walking by and seeing how nice the interior was and the cool little herbs around the restaurant I added it to the list to try. Looked like a really nice space. Little Italy is a pretty interesting area at this time and I think it is about to undergo some major development, but higher-end restaurants have always been faced difficulty in Ottawa (in my opinion).
2018 Nov 22
The last day of business at the Boco Bakery on Elgin is this Sunday the 25th. Their Facebook page says they are offering baked goods free on Sunday (1 per customer) and raising money for Elgin St. Public School and the Jack Purcell Community Centre. Stock up ahead of time if you want those Nutella cookies or mini pizzas one last time.
2018 Nov 26
Just heard second hand that Wong's Palace is closing and their last day is this Friday, November 30th. The owners are retiring.
No other egg rolls were as good as theirs! :-(
No other egg rolls were as good as theirs! :-(
2018 Dec 12
Oh, I was trying to be sarcastic... I think I've only been there once, somebody at work picked it for our Christmas lunch before watching one of the Star Wars movies. There were many complaints about the slow service and the food (cold, tasteless, dry).
Had the organizer cared to look up reviews, I would hope he'd have chosen to reserve somewhere else. Had the organizer asked me, I would have chosen Big Rig :-). They were in tough in that area, the other chains are much more preferable (Montanas, Moxies, or East Sides in roughly that order). But for a pre-movie dinner I'd likely be choosing between Big Rig, Mongolian Village, or Taqueria Kukulkan/La Bonita.
Had the organizer cared to look up reviews, I would hope he'd have chosen to reserve somewhere else. Had the organizer asked me, I would have chosen Big Rig :-). They were in tough in that area, the other chains are much more preferable (Montanas, Moxies, or East Sides in roughly that order). But for a pre-movie dinner I'd likely be choosing between Big Rig, Mongolian Village, or Taqueria Kukulkan/La Bonita.
2018 Dec 30
Perfection-satisfaction-promise closed just over a week ago. They'll be missed for cheap yummy soups and the weirdest but comforting eating space
perfection-satisfaction-promise.ca
perfection-satisfaction-promise.ca
Ratty
Da Bombe Dessert Factory in New Edinburgh has closed.
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