Food Guy: Several ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä-area restaurants have closed, one is changing course

A high-profile restaurant in downtown ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä is currently closed, but no announcement has been made as to why — or if the shutdown is temporary or permanent.

Readers have blown up my phone and inbox asking about the fate of DT Prime, an upscale steakhouse that opened inside the space formerly housing The Block at 201 Capitol St. The restaurant was closed on Tuesday.

Several reports on social media have cited a variety of potentially major or minor reasons for the closure, but we all know anyone can say anything online. Owners Todd Moore and David Andrews did not respond to a request for comment.

There was a lot of buzz when the restaurant opened and it received strong reviews (including from me) thanks to quality food, attentive service and a unique “cook your own steak on a hot stone� concept. Comments had been more divided recently.

I hope they can bounce back from whatever big or small hurdles they’re facing. The restaurant business is brutal, especially in these trying economic times.

Albuquerque Southwest changing to Guadalajara concept

Just 10 days after I shared mixed reviews of a new ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä restaurant I wasn’t sure was going to make it, the business announced it would be changing its menu to one that has worked well at other locations.

“Albuquerque Southwest Bar & Grill will be transitioning to our Guadalajara product after July 1,� the restaurant said on Facebook in a post shared by owner Sergio Lugo-Mata, also adding that they’ll be open seven days a week now. Albuquerque, 207 Washington St. W., is located in the renovated space that used to house Chris’ Hot Dogs, Gonzoburger and, most recently, the short-lived Elk City Bistro.

“We hope that the authentic Mexican brand performs better than the Tex-Mex option. Guadalajara #3 will share the same menu favorites as the other two locations in Nitro and Barboursville. Hope to see you in!�

While I was excited to see a true Tex-Mex option come to our town, most of the menu items I tried there were underwhelming, whereas their more traditional Mexican options fared better. I loved the original Guadalajara Modern Mexican when I first reviewed its Nitro location back in 2023, so maybe this change will breathe some new life into this historic space.

Bamboo Garden in Sissonville closes

A popular Chinese restaurant in Sissonville closed its doors this past Saturday night.

Bamboo Garden, 6411 Sissonville Drive, shared a post on Facebook just a few days before saying: “Dear friends and customers, we regret to share that Bamboo Garden will be closing permanently on June 28. Thank you for your heartfelt support over the years. It has been a job and honor to serve you. We will always treasure the memories built with this wonderful community.�

Although I hadn’t been to Bamboo Garden in many moons, you may remember they received a handful of votes as the best local Chinese restaurant when readers were asked to pick their favorites back in 2019.

For those wondering, the two runaway winners in that poll were Rice Bowl, 121 Goff Mountain Road in Cross Lanes and China One, 4218 MacCorkle Ave. SE in Kanawha City.

Laporte Café announces new hours

The buzzy new restaurant I told you to check out last week that replaced Tricky Fish at 1611 Washington St. E. in ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä sent me a nice note after that positive tease. Or at least I thought it was nice — they may have felt differently.

“Thanks so much for your lovely words about The Laporte Café,� Chef Jesse Lyons told me later that day. “We got our kicked today, thanks to you. The phone started ringing at 10:57 a.m. and we were off!�

Umm … sorry, not sorry? Rave reviews are already flooding my feeds, so I can’t wait to check the place out myself. The restaurant is now open from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.