Genoa Restaurant to Close for 'Extended Hiatus'

Photo of Genoa courtesy Avila/EPDX

SE Belmont's storied Italian restaurant Genoa will soon close for what management is calling an "extended hiatus." According to an announcement sent by wine director Michael Garofola, the restaurant will shutter indefinitely on May 11, as the owners plan for a "new direction" for the restaurant. Per the release:

This decision was not an easy one — it never is with a beloved institution like Genoa —but the time is right for a new direction... While on hiatus, we will be evaluating different paths forward for the restaurant, and look forward to sharing further news in the coming weeks. We are not sure yet what the future holds, but the opportunity to reinvent and re-imagine what comes next is an exciting one. Whether it is a reinvention of the Genoa concept or an entirely new direction, we are committed to creating something excellent and unique, a worthy successor to everything Genoa has represented.

During the closure, Genoa's sister restaurant Accanto will remain open, and Genoa will take reservations now through the 11th. Genoa first debuted back in 1971, famously featuring chefs Cathy Whims, John Taboada, and Tommy Habetz in the kitchen throughout its history. The restaurant underwent a closure and revamp in 2008, re-opening a year later with chef David Anderson in the kitchen. Anderson departed in January 2013 and was replaced by chef Jake Martin, who just earlier this month announced the launch of his pop-up dinner series Daphne. More information about the Genoa closure as it becomes available.
· Genoa [Official site]
· All Previous Genoa Coverage [Eater PDX]