Chef Jonathon Sawyer’s Trentina to Close on Jan. 13

On the first day of 2019, chef Jonathon Sawyer announced via Instagram that Trentina (1903 Ford Dr., 216-421-2900) would be calling it quits after five steady years in University Circle. One year after opening the ambitious tasting menu restaurant in the former Sergio's space near Glidden House, Sawyer won the James Beard Award for Best Chef Great Lakes.

The following message, penned by Sawyer and posted online, seems to place partial blame for the closure on external factors like the influx of chain restaurants in University Circle and restaurant saturation in Northeast Ohio.

"It is with a heavy heart that I share the news that January 12th will be Trentina's last day of service.

Our ultimate goal was to provide a service, experience and product that was unique, compelling, and unlike anything else in Northeast, Ohio. For the past 5 years, our team at Trentina worked very hard at that. When our lease came up for renewal and we looked at the ever-changing landscape and saturation of the Cleveland restaurant scene, we collectively decided after failed renegotiation to not continue our lease.

I can't stress enough how grateful we are for your past patronage and support, so as a final goodbye, a proper send-off, and a thank you we will be bringing back the some (sic) of the original tasting menu items until we close. All reservations are appreciated. We love University Circle and our heart breaks at all of the amazing independent restaurants that have closed recently, including Coquette Patissiere (sic), Crop, Sasa (Accent), and the Barking Spider. We hope they can find a way to bring back independent restaurants. Another time, another place, who knows - we never say never. As they say, when one door closes, another opens. So stay tuned for what's next!

A special thank you to all of the people who have helped make this a special place along the way. Vinnie Cimino, Randy, Tom, Ari, and all employees past and present. I can't thank you enough for the time and dedication you have brought to our little tasting menu gem. To our loyal customers, thank you. We will miss you dearly."