Purple Orchid
(Kim Hairston/Sun Photographer)
Bob wrote to ask about the restaurant that was at President and Pratt streets:
what happened to the Purple Orchid? It was one of our favorites. Do you know where its chef went?
I don't know for sure, but I assumed it closed because of the building's location. Not in Little Italy, not part of the Inner Harbor restaurants, very little walk-by business. Parking is perceived to be a problem.
As for chefs, it's hard to track them down even if a restaurant is still open. Owners don't want to send customers elsewhere. In this case, I can't even try to find out.
Anyone else know anything?
Comments
My memory is that original chef/owner Richard Wong sold the place to someone around Feb. 2005. The new owner's last day open was Dec. 31, 2005. The new owner had a chef that continued Wong's excellent food, but he left around Aug 2005, I think. After that, a series of line cooks tried to carry on with bad results. It was a great place in a bad location. I miss it.
Posted by: Umberto | June 26, 2007 1:08 PM
Update: Richard Wong, the long time owner/chef, is still in Baltimore. According to a former Purple Orchid employee he owns two food kiosks at the Light Street pavillion at the Inner Harbor: The Rice Bowl and "a chicken place". He is not currently involved in any restaurants.
Posted by: Umberto | July 15, 2007 10:02 AM