Excelsior is Closed

[crazycrazypete]

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...

[rebs]

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?

[mats77]

If they have any regard for their guests they should honor it. Good luck and report back.

[Spike]

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...

[TheTrout]

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.

[bgavin]

Icarus? For sale?
Totally disappointed, but not totally surprised.

[liuliuliu]

official closure statement from the restaurant: http://www.excelsiorrestaurant.com/ab...

"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."

[mkap21]

For more accurate information see: http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/food/...

[MC Slim JB]

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.

[almansa]

I'm curious: why would Bonfire take over the space? Have they not enough seats where they are?

[crazycrazypete]

that's exactly what I asked, sounds like that info was not correct.

[hotoynoodle]

bonfire is barely holding its own. it will not be moving.

[heathermb]

So, you were dining in the restaurant when the announced the closing and let everyone go? Mid-meal?

[Mr Bigglesworth]

according to my very inside source, bonfire is absolutely not coming in there. they will be reopening in the fall, new concept

[crazycrazypete]

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.

[hiddenboston]

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

[csammy]

Do you expect her to be happy about it?

[hiddenboston]

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...