593150 Tue Feb 03 09:52:03 -0800 2009 17 12 Boston Area 0 4383634 For good. Was there Saturday night when they let everyone go. Bonfire will take over the space sometime later this year. They hooked us up with some amazing wine deals that night... Tue Feb 03 09:52:03 -0800 2009 152267 crazycrazypete 1 4383681 I hadn't heard about their closing. I just called them to see if they might have a message on their voicemail and a woman answered the phone and said "Hello, Excelsior." I asked if they are still open for business and she said in a rather grave manner, "No, we are not." I said thanks, but I guess she was too busy hanging up on me to hear it. :-b Tue Feb 03 10:00:56 -0800 2009 4383634 14771 hiddenboston 2 4383706 Do you expect her to be happy about it? Tue Feb 03 10:05:06 -0800 2009 4383681 13735 csammy 3 4383751 Well, no, but...well, she could have had some manners. I just thought it was a bit rude, but whatever...no skin off my back... Tue Feb 03 10:15:29 -0800 2009 4383706 14771 hiddenboston 1 4383708 So, you were dining in the restaurant when the announced the closing and let everyone go? Mid-meal? Tue Feb 03 10:05:32 -0800 2009 4383634 14710 heathermb 2 4383767 according to my very inside source, bonfire is absolutely not coming in there. they will be reopening in the fall, new concept Tue Feb 03 10:18:25 -0800 2009 4383708 125747 Mr Bigglesworth 2 4383934 We were drinking at the bar, we had a big group and had ordered a few magnums of wine and champagne and my friends 'inside source" came over and told us the details.. I left around 1 am when it was obvious that they had started letting the employees know, it was very strange because the bar was completely packed and people were still coming down from upstairs. There was some hugging and goodbyes going on outside. Tue Feb 03 10:58:41 -0800 2009 4383708 152267 crazycrazypete 1 4383957 I'm curious: why would Bonfire take over the space? Have they not enough seats where they are? Tue Feb 03 11:05:48 -0800 2009 4383634 102066 almansa 2 4383983 that's exactly what I asked, sounds like that info was not correct. Tue Feb 03 11:12:53 -0800 2009 4383957 152267 crazycrazypete 2 4385866 bonfire is barely holding its own. it will not be moving. Tue Feb 03 22:59:38 -0800 2009 4383957 30273 hotoynoodle 1 4383998 I was never of fan of Excelsior, thought the food was overpriced and dull, worse after Lydia Shire pulled out, though I did give the downstairs bar some business. Still, I feel bad for all the people suddenly out of work. Scary times for the industry. Tue Feb 03 11:16:39 -0800 2009 4383634 10143 MC Slim JB 1 4384031 For more accurate information see: http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/food/dishing/ Tue Feb 03 11:24:43 -0800 2009 4383634 166313 mkap21 1 4384049 official closure statement from the restaurant: http://www.excelsiorrestaurant.com/aboutus/ "Today [February 3, 2009] we announce that Excelsior is closed and will be re-opening as a new restaurant in the fall of this year." Tue Feb 03 11:28:26 -0800 2009 4383634 15776 liuliuliu 1 4384393 wow..another institution goes down. I had a memorable RW there where they had an amazing pheasant soup entree that I would have loved to have gotten the recipe for :-( I've also heard Icarus in the South End is closing...same deal..reopening as a more casual place... Tue Feb 03 13:12:47 -0800 2009 4383634 10684 Spike 2 4387233 Icarus is for sale. I'm not sure Excelsior can/should be dubbed an "institution". They were only around for five years. In many places, it takes longer than that to establish a reputation, then you work your way towards becoming an institution. Excelsior, to my way of thinking, was never anything more than a "comet" on the local food scene. They burned bright for a short time, and then disappeared. Wed Feb 04 11:24:16 -0800 2009 4384393 170572 TheTrout 3 4387241 Icarus? For sale? Totally disappointed, but not totally surprised. Wed Feb 04 11:26:26 -0800 2009 4387233 103052 bgavin 1 4388674 shoot! i've had a gift certificate to Excelsior that I've been holding on to for a while now. Just never got around to going. I wonder if it will be honored when they reopen or at Grill 23 or Harvest? Wed Feb 04 19:15:44 -0800 2009 4383634 12078 rebs 2 4389376 If they have any regard for their guests they should honor it. Good luck and report back. Thu Feb 05 06:11:20 -0800 2009 4388674 167444 mats77