Boston Restaurateurs Optimistic

Despite the rapid fire consecutive closing announcements of Aujourd’hui, Great Bay, and Icarus, many Boston restaurateurs think the worst of the economic crisis’ impact on the city’s dining is over, reports Chowder. The working theory seems to be that all three restaurants closed for different reasons. Aujourd’hui may have been a victim of tough times, sure, but Icarus had been on the market forever and Great Bay was simply a victim of a poor location choice: there’s only room for one high-end restaurant in Kenmore Square and you can’t compete with Eastern Standard’s cocktails or patio. Marc Orfaly, restaurant real estate guru Charlie Perkins, and the inevitable Michael Schlow are all quoted with sunny attitudes, but we can’t help but wonder if that will change over summer, historically the slowest time of year for Hub eateries. If we were responsible for, say, Troquet or Marliave, we’d be holding our breath right now.

Is The Worst Over? [Chowder/Boston Magazine]

Boston Restaurateurs Optimistic