CHEVIOT, Ohio — The owner of Vitor’s Bistro said he is down but not out of the restaurant business after deciding to close his West Side eatery.
“I am not giving up,” said chef Vitor Abreu.
Abreu said he is scouting potential locations for a new restaurant and talking to interested business partners about next steps.
The eatery's last day will be Sunday. The chef said declining sales due to a poor location on the West Side prompted his decision to close Vitor's. He is offering a $20 three-course meal Wednesday night to thank the bistro's loyal customers.
Abreu opened the bistro, originally named Coffee Cap Cafe, at 3232 Harrison Ave. in 2005. The bistro won recognition for its French toast and its walnut- and coconut-encrusted shrimp in Taste of Cincinnati's 2009 "Best of Taste" competition. Abreu also appeared in an episode ofthe Food Network's "Cutthroat Kitchen" in November.
“It’s been a suffering bear for the last couple of years,” Abreu said of the bistro. “Unfortunately, we’ve given it a good run and a good try but it hasn’t improved.”
A fatal Cincinnati police officer-involved shooting less than a block away from the bistro on Feb. 17 accelerated his decision to close shop, he said.
While Abreu continues to explore other options, his upscale food truck, Urban Vistro, will roll through city streets again once the weather warms.
“We’ve had a lot of support,” he said. “I’ve been here for a while. I love Cincinnati and don’t plan on going anywhere anytime soon.”
This is our last week, ladies and gentlemen. Let's end on a high note. Wednesday night we will be offering our Chef's...
Posted by VitorsBistro on Monday, February 22, 2016
