Thomas Keller To Close Bouchon Beverly Hills, Losing His Presence in LA

Right as his Napa dining destination The French Laundry prepares to reopen after devastating fires in the region, restaurateur Thomas Keller has announced plans to close another of his businesses, Bouchon Beverly Hills. His Bouchon restaurant, cafe, and bakery opened there in 2009 as part of a business partnership with the city of Beverly Hills, but the venture was reportedly too unprofitable to continue, and he’ll give up the multi-floor lease on the city-owned property.

The complex will close after December 31. Meanwhile, The Thomas Keller Restaurant Group will maintain its Bouchon Bistro and Bouchon Bakery outposts in Yountville, New York, and Las Vegas.

“It is with great sadness that we must end our partnership with the city of Beverly Hills and will therefore not continue to operate Bouchon Bistro, Bar Bouchon and our bakery in Beverly Hills,” Keller said according to a statement shared with Eater.

We have not been able to find a solution to the adverse conditions impacting our success with our landlord, The City of Beverly Hills, that would provide the proper conditions for the restaurant. The circumstances no longer exist to operate a profitable restaurant. We have had nine wonderful years and I am proud of what we have achieved, making a mark in the challenging [Beverly Hills] business landscape, hosting wonderful events with the community of Los Angeles and creating a loyal customer base. I especially want to commend everyone who has worked with us over the years to make such an important impact with our guests and the community. We will conclude our operations at the end of the year, but remain committed to providing our guests and neighbors with the cuisine , the service and the excellence they have come to expect from us until the very last minute of our last day.

This is the first time Keller has closed a restaurant since opening the French Laundry in 1994. It also marks the chef’s departure from a city where he’s long maintained a presence.

But Keller isn’t exactly retreating elsewhere. He’s pursuing a massive Hudson Yards project in New York City, and has gestured towards plans to open a hotel in Yountville at the French Laundry.

• Thomas Keller’s Bouchon to Close in Beverly Hills on December 31 [Eater LA]
• Thomas Keller to close Bouchon Beverly Hills [SF Chronicle]