Genoa Restaurant in Portland will be closed on November 22nd, 2008.
According to an article on Oregon Live (link now invalid),
“I’ve seen serious recessions over the decades at Genoa,” DuBuse told The Oregonian, “but nothing to compare to the economic meltdown in which we now find ourselves. We cannot continue as an economically viable business.”
DeBuse says he spent tens of thousands of dollars upgrading the old-fashioned dining room in June. Business had been slow since early summer, he says, “but it all changed 180 degrees within a week of the recent (Wall Street) crash.”When the problems went global, the bottom fell out. We’re the kind of business that runs on a very tight budget and low profit margin. Even a small drop impacts us. But a large amount is devastating. If this was just an economic storm we could see it through — but there’s just so much uncertainty now.”
I hope this isn’t a harbinger of more restaurant closures, but I have a bad feeling about the next few months. Genoa was an old-school, formal Italian restaurant, famous for its prix fixe dinners served by black tie waiters. At times the kitchen put out some of the best food in Portland. It has great memories for me, and I’m sad to see it go.
brewmaster says
First of all, RIP. Genoa certainly had a great run.
However, I don’t believe you can blame this one solely on the economy. There’s a lot of choice these days, and I think Genoa suffered from competition. There was a time when Genoa’s true competitors in Portland could be counted on one hand. Today, however, there are many great restaurants in Portland, and Genoa seemed rather dated. Think of all the great chefs to have passed through: Adam from Tabla, Cathy from Nostrana, Amelia Hard, John from Navarre, Robert Reynolds, and so many more. This place was an institution, and it will never be forgotten. Thank you Kerry!
that one says
and the hits keep coming:
from Willamette Week:http://wweek.com/wwire/?p=15392
Only days after The Nines hotel steakhouse Urban Farmer let it slip that it was parting ways with Chef Ned Elliott and only hours after longtime Italian house Genoa announced that it would be closing its doors after nearly 40 years in the biz due to, what else, the economy, it turns out there’s a silver lining.
Elliott just told WW that he’s planning on opening his own restaurant, a small, intimate space called Lettuce & Chocolate, in the next six to eight months. His partner? Genoa’s general manager and wine director Andy Sprott.
Food Dude says
Oops.. read that too fast. He can get in line behind the other 50 people “opening restaurants any time”
Cuisine Bonne Femme says
Sometimes it is ok to say goodbye. Genoa had a terrific run and certainly was one of the first wave of quality top-notch restaurants in Portland. Portland’s current restaurant scene owes them a lot. However, economics aside, Genoa hasn’t really had the *** pop and wow *** it used to have for several years now.
I think the biggest problem with Genoa is that as Portland dining changed and Portland’s demographic changed too- became more sophisticated, more worldly, more restaurants offered more options (sometimes better and certainly more flexible options), Genoa just pretty much stayed the same. The last time I ate there a couple of years ago they reminded me of fine gourmet Italianesque dining, err, circa 1989.
dan cook says
I guess we could all learn to cook and eat at home more often …
brett says
Not a harbinger of anything. Who wants to spend 8 billion dollars on a meal, even in the best of times? Obviously it was bad timing remodeling just this June. Not the best decision, in hindsight.
wileycoyote says
If Mr. Debuse had taken the road that Leather Storrs took when he announced that Rocket was closing I could have had a little more sympathy for him. However since he insists on laying the blame at the door of the economy, I have none at all. Mismanagement, a strong distain for his former partner and disrespect for his staff were the main reasons for the demise of this “institution”. And by the way, Robert Reynolds, as anyone in the know knows – didn’t really work at Genoa.
wileycoyote says
In re Wileycoyote’s comments on Genoa,Wiley noticed on rereading the post that Wiley failed to proof read the content thereby allowing “distain” to stand for “disdain”. Wiley regrets the error.
robert reynolds says
don’t know who wileycoyote is,
but he has another error to regret.
my tax returns confirm that i worked at genoa.
Bob says
Regardless of gossipy opinions regarding why the Genoa has ultimately ended its marvelous run, I feel I speak for many who mourn the passing of a restaurant that played a treasured role in the personal lives of so many. The engagements, the graduations, the weddings, the special birthdays—many recall the Genoa as the perfect setting for honoring the peak experiences life has to offer. No petty reactions can erase the impact of this longstanding mecca for those seeking a subtle backdrop for an exquisite meal to match their feelings of joy and celebration. In an increasingly homogenized society and world, we need oases like the Genoa, where attention to nuance and detail honors the diner. I will miss the Genoa. Thank you, Kerry. Your dedication is appreciated.
zumpie says
brett, not just hindsight would indicate remodeling in June was a bad decision. We’ve had murmurs of “recession” for over a year now—and read about restaurants feeling the pinch in Willamette Week back in February (so really, everyone had seem signs as far back as 6 months before that).
Granted the complete meltdown of the economy in September has truly shaken things to the core, but the mortgage meltdown and all those problems were revealed quite some time before that.
sourpuss says
Genoa re-opening.