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.”
This article appears in Dec 26, 2018 – Jan 1, 2019.
Im sure it had nothing to do with how incredibly poorly that place was run. You cant excel when no one on staff wants to stay or understands the slightest bit about hospitality. Hard to maintain Beard standards when zero people were trained even the slightest. Meanwhile Lalbatros next door is still one of the busiest restaurants in the city…
Not surprised. You keep firing chefs,lose quality, and over extended yourself. Sorry Dougie boy can’t give you that reach around article.
Not sure what will open next: the 2nd phase of the downtown casino, nuCLEus, or the Sawyer restaurant at the Van Aken District.
Sad a great place
Worst in Sawyers empire. We had aweful experience. Never went back.
Love Greenhouse though.