Perhaps it was never meant to be.
After opening delays and other setbacks once it finally did open just shy of five months ago, Tribute restaurant has closed.
The modern-American restaurant in the South Loop's Essex Inn shut its doors for good on Sunday.
"We have succumbed to the poor economic environment that has not helped our new restaurant to grow roots," owner Phil Fernandez and general manager and partner Simon Lamb said in a statement. "We have tried to weather these crucial beginning months . . . but we have not been able to sustain."
Well...that was fast. If you remember Tribute had some hiccups prior to opening, but when it finally opened in July the neighborhood was pretty pumped. While the reviews were mixed - the space probably proved to be too large for neighborhood and concept.
Anyway, hope something else goes in because the space looks great.
(Hat tip: SN!)