Overview
- The group announced the abrupt shutdown on Monday and is carrying out a staged closure through June 24 that will permanently close seven dining rooms across San Ramon, San Jose, Menlo Park, Larkspur and Tiburon.
- Company CEO Alistair Levine told reporters the decision followed a difficult operating environment, sharp increases in key food costs and an unsuccessful effort to raise capital for two unfinished San Francisco projects.
- Roughly 300 employees were told they were laid off and, according to the company, will receive their final earned wages and accrued vacation pay as the restaurants wind down.
- Customers and scheduled private events were immediately disrupted when some locations were found locked and patrons rushed to redeem gift cards after reservations were canceled.
- The shutdown ends a 32-year regional group founded in 1994 and follows earlier site closures and a late-2024 lawsuit alleging unpaid wages, a legal and operational strain that company leaders say added pressure to an already fragile business model.