On more than one occasion over the past few months we’ve remarked on the seemingly endless run of restaurant openings. But with a recent spate of closings, we’re beginning to wonder if the pendulum is now swinging the other way. This week has already brought news of Bucca Di Beppo ending its five-year run on 15th Street in Center City. Now comes word of two more restaurants biting the proverbial dust. Sonata, the NoLibs BYOB that opened on Liberties Walk back in 2009, has shut down, according to Foobooz. The restaurant replaced the long-struggling, and poorly named Swallow, and received mostly favorable reviews from critics. There’s no word on why it closed, or what might replace it.
Across town, Queen Village newcomer Zen-Nor also closed. It opened in May. Eater reports that owner Eleanor Aukett closed up shop abruptly, telling staff that she was going on vacation. They’ve reportedly been left high and dry without their final paychecks. Ouch! Here’s hoping this closing trend is brief.
Sonata in Northern Liberties Has Closed [Foobooz]
Zen-Nor Shutters Suddenly, Owner Stiffs Employees [Eater]
