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Accent, Scott Kim’s flashy Pan-Asian restaurant in the Uptown development in University Circle, closed after business Saturday night. The restaurant opened last fall in the newly constructed strip by MOCA. Kim also operates Sasa at Shaker Square, which remains business as usual.

“I didn’t intend to close it this early, but I think it’s a better time for my employees to find new jobs,” the ever-considerate Kim explains. “I told my team the bad news Friday night and everybody showed up for work on Saturday — busboys, dishwashers, everybody showed up. I have a really great team — and that’s the hardest part.”

Kim says that the business and traffic that was projected for Uptown never materialized — or at least, have yet to do so.

“We’re not doing the numbers that we were hoping to do. There were a lot of promises made that… I think the area is still in the very early stage. And projects in University Circle move very slowly.”

The landlord of the space, MRN Ltd. is in the market for a new tenant to assume Accent’s prominent spot. Messages left at that company went unanswered.

As far as Accent goes, Kim is hoping the concept is not entirely dead. He just might relocate the restaurant to a smaller space once the dust settles.

“I think we created a great concept and product there, but it’s a very big space. Or maybe the location isn’t right,” he ponders.

For now, customers can support Kim by dining at his wonderful Shaker Square restaurant Sasa.

This article appears in Oct 16-22, 2013.

For 25 years, Douglas Trattner has worked as a full-time freelance writer, editor and author. His work as co-author on Michael Symon's cookbooks have earned him four New York Times Best-Selling Author honors, while his longstanding role as Scene dining editor has garnered awards of its own.

4 replies on “Uptown Eatery Accent Closed Following Saturday Night Service”

  1. I loved Accent but it seemed a little hidden in that location. The bill could add up to — depending on what you ordered. But overall I thought the food and service were great, and the space itself was beautiful. Really sorry to see it close.

  2. Sad that a good restaurant closes while the Titted Kilt seems to thrive with crappy bar food….
    WTF anyway…..

  4. I really liked the cooking concept, the decor, the staff and the owners. Yes, it could be pricey at times, but you received good quality food prepared well. Accent was one of the places I would recommend and show off to my out of town visitors. For me, parking was not good. I was ticketed twice after 7pm when I parked in the lot. Oh well… I still visit Sasa! Hurry back Scott and Kim to the University Circle area.

    Qgene51

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