Similar
Stories
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
York Street, considered by many to be Dallas’ best restaurant, to close on Saturday
Chef-owner Sharon Hage to take some time off.
York Street chef Sharon Hage
DALLAS — York Street, considered by many to be Dallas' best restaurant, will close on Saturday, confirmed chef-owner Sharon Hage, who said she plans to take some time off.
"I'm just taking a break," Hage said on Wednesday. "I’m closing after Saturday, and I have no plans for the immediate future. It's just a personal thing."
Hage, who took over the restaurant nearly 10 years ago, has been a pioneer in many contemporary culinary trends, including the use of fresh, local produce. She's been nominated many times for James Beard awards. Under her tenure, the restaurant has been named one of Gourmet Magazine's "Top 50 Restaurants" in the U.S. and received numerous four-star ratings and accolades.
The restaurant's closure will leave a significant gap in Dallas' dining scene.
"It's a loss for me too," she said. "I don't take anything for granted, including the overwhelming support I've had to this day, how many years later -- to still be in the position that business is strong and people are still interested in what we're doing. I know how hard things have been in the restaurant world in the past two years."
Hage said she hoped to make her departure low-key, but as the week plays out, is having increasing difficulty.
"I didn't tell anyone but my immediate employees and now everyone seems to know because my phone is blowing off the hook," she said, promising that she would update her website with information.
"I just want to get through Saturday -- I'm not thinking about anything except making it until Saturday and taking it from there," she said.
Related stories
- Photos: Mot Hai Ba opened last week, serving eclectic Vietnamese fare
- UPDATED: Watel's Bistro closed
- UPDATED: Backyard bar part-owned by Pat Green will open in West Village
- First look: Fancy Bowl & Barrel puts smelly bowling alleys to shame
- Dallas' own upscale, boutique bowling alley opens November 28
Nearby stories
- Grab brunch with fierce ladies at drag event Sunday at DISH
- Looking for dinner and a game of bocce? Try Samar by Stephan Pyles
- Dallas Beer Kitchen promises "rare, hard to find" brews on Lowest Greenville
- Transit Bicycle Co. relocates to Lower Greenville
- Creepy rendering of Big Tex shows he's almost ready for the State Fair
Faved or commented on by...
Related events
Latest Contests
Latest comments...
S&D Oyster in Uptown Dallas is remodeling
my first job was to was dishes, and change the grease trap, but ole herb.....he made it to where I w
Creepy rendering of Big Tex shows he's almost ready for the State Fair
gosh some honest feed back finally, I thought I was in Detroit, with such appathy these past few mon
Album review: Cas Haley runs with rhythm and soul on La Si Dah
And as we all know, Germans love David Hasselhof.
Steven Doyle, verified:
Simply sad.
Link to this comment | Suggest removal
Donna Chen, verified:
A sad day.
Link to this comment | Suggest removal
Jimmy Contreras, verified:
Of all the closures in all of DFW, this one I believe is really for a personal break. Sharon is extremely talented, and when she is ready she will pop up again somewhere. York Street will be missed.
Link to this comment | Suggest removal
stacog, anonymous:
Sharon, Fauna, and all of the lovely people of York Streeet. I am very saddened by the news of your closing. I think the world of every one of you and love you dearly. Much more than just a place to escape for an evening, you have given me inspiration, desire and renewed passion. Sharon, your food has, literally, driven me to tears on more than one occassion. In the brief time that I have been in Dallas no place has made me feel more welcome, relaxed, and loved than York Street. (sniffle)
Link to this comment | Suggest removal
jimrain, anonymous:
Nothing to say but, "Oh no!" Still, if anyone deserves a break, it's Sharon Hage. I just hope she reopens something in Dallas when she's recharged her batteries.
Link to this comment | Suggest removal
Teresa Gubbins, staff:
jimrain, right on, totally hope she stays in dallas
Link to this comment | Suggest removal
Scott, anonymous:
Very sorry to hear this.
Link to this comment | Suggest removal
OEsophagus, anonymous:
Who owns that building and how can I get into it?
Link to this comment | Suggest removal
Karel Anne Tieszen, verified:
Sharon, You are too great a talent to stay off the radar for long. We will wait (IM)patiently for your dynamic return.
Link to this comment | Suggest removal
Teresa Gubbins, staff:
Christopher Wynn tweets: "While Sharon Hage has no firm plans, she has a lease on York Street space through April 2011. She may use it as a workshop of sorts."
http://twitter.com/christopherwynn
Link to this comment | Suggest removal
drenken, anonymous:
Any of that time off for Top Chef? <grin>
Link to this comment | Suggest removal
Teresa Gubbins, staff:
drenken, that's an intriguing suggestion
haven't heard anything about Season 9 yet... (they're referring to the upcoming AllStars as "Season 8")
Link to this comment | Suggest removal
LaDivina, anonymous:
:(
Link to this comment | Suggest removal
armstrongpr, anonymous:
What a loss, even just temporarily. Sharon elevated the entire Dallas dining profile with her version of York Street. She is an incredible chef and a kind, cariing person of the highest integrity.
Link to this comment | Suggest removal
adkim, anonymous:
Words can't explain the loss...
Link to this comment | Suggest removal
liorlavy, anonymous:
Sad News. Not many times in my life I found a connection to a restaurant that goes beyond just the good food. The atmosphere, the professional approach and the simplicity is a true loss. Sharon - I am looking forward for your new thing! good luck.
Lior
Link to this comment | Suggest removal
dolcicakes, anonymous:
there are tears in my eyes...she's my inspiration in so many ways...
Link to this comment | Suggest removal
Teresa Gubbins, staff:
Hanna at City of Ate speaks to Tom Spicer who hints that he'd like to open a place to fill the niche
http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/cityo...
Link to this comment | Suggest removal
joyzhang516, anonymous:
How sad :( I hope she finds peace during her break. Best wishes to Sharon for a happy future!
Link to this comment | Suggest removal
kmcmurray, anonymous:
Sharon and Fauna, thank you so much for delivering truly an exceptional culinary destination. As a concierge I am so often overwhelmed with mediocrity in our culinary landscape here in Dallas. I always knew I could depend on your food and service to deliver the exceptional. I am so sad by this. But you certainly do deserve a break to recharge and relax!! I so enjoyed how you honored the ingredients in a humble and gracious way, Chef Hage. And that reverence for excellent product is not location specific. I am looking forward to send guests where ever your feet land and your knife sharpens!
Katie McMurray
Link to this comment | Suggest removal
Texino, anonymous:
Sigh... Wow...
First the tremendous wave of disappointment. No... no... no... York Street was such a great dining experience. In my opinion, easily the best in Dallas and one of the best in the country. I've met people from all over the country who ask about York Street when I mention that I live in Dallas (I kid you not - it happened two weeks ago out on the east coast). Fresh, local, and perfectly executed every time. Sharon has such incredible standards. But it was more than just that. It was a special place. Calm and neat, but never pretentious or stuffy. It always felt kinda like home.
Then the wave of truly sincere appreciation and thanks. I almost feel like Sharon taught be how to eat. I don't know how Sharon did it all of those years, so the break is well deserved.
I'm terribly sad that this is the end of York Street, but glad that it was on Sharon's terms - the place was as top notch a month ago as I've ever seen it.
Thank you so much. <sniff>
Link to this comment | Suggest removal
Teresa Gubbins, staff:
A diner with a reservation for Saturday night reports that the restaurant closed a night early with the following message:
Loving Friends in Wine and Life, Just wanted to take a quiet moment to say Thank You to you all for your support and especially your friendship. We have decided to bow out early. Frankly, I am OUT of everything, and the kitchen crew and I have decided we’re just going to stop now, make last night our last service. Please understand and accept my gratitude. I will see you all soon (and often, I hope) Love, Sharon
Link to this comment | Suggest removal
alexander troup, verified:
Sorry I am late on this story, while near the Paperback and Plus area, a great hole in the wall hide out...Lets wait and see...A/T, Capers and potatoes with onions........yum....
Link to this comment | Suggest removal
mikeelrey, anonymous:
My soul and stomach aches for the loss of York Street. I will miss Sharon's cooking and the great staff, too.
My wife jokes that if I could, I would eat whatever Sharon prepared for me. Every night. She's right.
Link to this comment | Suggest removal
mail, anonymous:
York St location will reopen soon; under new name, new management. We hope to do a good enough job to honor the history of the space. We miss Sharon. For more info, write to m a i l @ w a t e l s . c o m
Link to this comment | Suggest removal
What do you think?