D'Amico Kitchen at Le Meridien Chambers Has Shuttered

After three-and-a-half years at Le Meridien Chambers hotel downtown, D'Amico Kitchen has shuttered. According to the Star Tribune, Richard D'Amico said that D'Amico & Partners was not renewing its lease because they are focusing on other expansion—they've opened three restaurants in the past couple years and will be opening another in 2013. The D'Amico empire spans 20 restaurants in Minnesota and Florida, including Cafe Lurcat, Bar Lurcat, Masa, and Gather, as well as the D'Amico & Sons chain.

D'Amico Kitchen opened at the Chambers in July 2009, replacing Chambers Kitchen, which was operated by superstar chef Jean Georges Vongerichten. Hotel general partner Ralph Burnet said that the hotel was expecting D'Amico's departure and that they should be announcing a new food and beverage partner in the next few weeks.

UPDATE: City Pages' Emily Weiss (@piefingers) tweeted that a replacement is already in the works from Mill Valley Kitchen owner Craig Bentdahl.

· D'Amico Kitchen Closing at Le Meridien Chambers Hotel [Minneapolis St.Paul Business Journal]
· Counter Intelligence: An Impending Vacancy at the Chambers [StarTribune]