Izakaya, Facebook
Izakaya will close on Saturday, according to a press release issued by reps of chef Jimmy Gentry.
From the release:
Chef Jimmy Gentry announced today he will no longer oversee the kitchen at Izakaya restaurant, located in the former 19th Century Club building at 1433 Union Avenue. Izakaya owners Shon and Dan Lin announced tonight the restaurant will cease operations on April 22, 2017 as they do not have the capital to continue operations of the fine dining restaurant. They are seeking alternatives for the historic building.
“I am completely shocked by this announcement as I had signed a multi-year agreement and had great aspirations for the grandeur of the fully-restored historic building,” said Chef Gentry. “We implemented standards of excellence for the operations and were making great headway under my team’s creativity and management. However, after only two months, the decision was made to close which, unfortunately, is out of my control.”
Izakaya opened in early January in the historic 19th Century Club building. The owners Shon and Dana Lin spent millions renovating the building. Gentry was hired to revamp the restaurant’s sprawling menu.
According to the Commercial Appeal, the restaurant will reopen as Red Fish Bistro, which the Lins also own.
