By 707 correspondent Heather Irwin. Sign up for the BiteClub Newsletter.
After several years of disputes and lawsuits between Healdsburg’s Michelin-starred CYRUS RESTAURANT and their HOTEL LES MARS landlords, it was announced that the restaurant will close October 29, 2012.
Crossroads Winery, LP, owned by investor Bill Foley, will take over ownership of the restaurant space inside the Les Mars in November 2012. Foley is the owner of Chalk Hill winery and Sebastiani Vineyards & Winery in Sonoma and Merus Wines and Kuleto Estate in Napa, as well as numerous other wineries. He co-owns the Les Mars with David Fink.
Despite a very public airing of their disagreements, Cyrus co-owner and chef Douglas Keane is positive about the ultimate decision to shutter his restaurant. ”It’s a good thing. This makes a lot of sense. Nick [Peyton, Keane’s business partner] and I are happy. There were a lot of misunderstood passions.”
The big question, however, is what’s next.
Cyrus will remain open for business until late October. Throughout the fall, Keane will showcase some of the all-time favorite dishes from the last seven years. After that, he and Peyton will continue to run Healdsburg Bar & Grill, their remaining project in Healdsburg.
As for Cyrus? They have maintained the rights to the Cyrus brand and recipes, but aren’t making any immediate plans to relocate or reopen a new restaurant right now.
“I want to have some fun. I have nothing solid planned,” Keane said. He does plan to spend some time working with rescue dogs and spending time with his wife. “Maybe we’ll bring back the two-martini lunch,” he laughs.
