Ken’s Place Restaurant to Close, Cooking for Intel Jones Farm,

Those of us who have worked at Intel Jones Farm, always knew the cafe was pretty great, but might not know the story of what goes on behind the scenes. Nancy Rommelmann wrote a great interview with chef Micah Cavolo, an interesting enough guy when he’s not cooking. You can check out the interview over at Pajamas Media. I miss the cafe, but not the coffee!

Interesting to note, as per the rumor we published a while back, “restaurant owner on East side of town having rent raised and contemplating closing”… or something along those lines, Ken Gordon over at Ken’s Place has announced the Last Supper at Ken’s:

Dear Friends of Ken’s,

Last night’s Emilia Romagna dinner – I think most who attended would agree – was one of the best Sunday Dinners yet. And loud and clear was the call for one more in April, and a last one in our restaurant on Hawthorne.

That’s right, for those of you I haven’t talked to about it personally, we will soon be leaving our home for the last 9 years. Part of it is because of losing our lease in a year, but mostly it’s about the exciting new location in the Ace Hotel for Kenny and Zuke’s Deli. We’re in the design phase and hope to begin construction soon and expect to open sometime in late Summer. It will be a very exciting project, with lots of space, a very dramatic venue, and the goal of turning out the best pastrami, bagels, breakfasts, etc. this city has ever seen.

And although I know many of you will miss Ken’s Place (me most of all), I’m pretty confidant that the new space will have a similar feel to it and enough great food and ties to the past that you’ll feel at home.

I’ll make an announcement soon about the closing date for Ken’s Place. It is likely to be not before May 1, possibly into June sometime.

For our last Sunday Dinner with Family and Friends on April 15, I thought it would be appropriate to do a Greatest Hits menu – dishes that have been some of the best and most popular over the years. I’d reserve quickly on this one – seats should go fast! And what a perfect way of celebrating Tax Day.

Oh, and I’ve gotten a lot of questions about whether we’ll continue the Sunday Dinners in the new location. The short answer is that we’ll try to start them up again after we’ve gotten organized over there and can accommodate the events. I’ll do my best to keep it going.

Ken

Kenny and Zuke’s opening in Ace Hotel. Check.
Ken’s Place closing to focus on the new business. Check.
You read it here first