“I’m sorry to inform you that we have closed this location,” says a recording at the former South Beach restauarant, located at the Nash Hotel. The recording notes that its Las Olas branch remains open. There was no answer at Mark’s corporate office in Palm Beach County late Thursday.
A manager at Mark’s at the Park, in Boca Raton, confirmed that restaurant is still open, but said that the venue in CityPlace, near downtown West Palm, has closed as well.
Founding chef Mark Militello has won a slew of awards, including a James Beard Award for Best Regional Chef, a place in Food & Wine magazine’s "Ten Best Chefs in America," and a Distinguished Restaurant Award from Conde Nast Traveler. The restaurant also spawned such notable chefs as Timo head chef Tim Andriola and Top Chef contestant (and former Food Gang head chef) Howard Kleinberg
The announcement sparked a wavelet of remorse on the local Chowhound blog.
“Aw, this is a shame and I feel somewhat guilty,” one comment read. “I liked the food but would typically only go once a year. Something about the location made the place less interesting and memorable.” --Frank Houston
Marks was a great restaurant but is only ONE of many that will close because the rents in places like City Place are way way way too high!! The rich owners of these areas are going to cause alot of people to go out of business because of their greed and stupidity. I really hope alot of places close and these landlords end up having all kinds of personal money problems! It will serve them right for destroying so many peoples lives and livelyhoods in this difficult economy!
Posted at: April 11, 2008 11:07 PM