I still don't get McCabe's closing. That place was always jam packed. I hadn't been there in awhile (no longer live as close), so maybe that had changed. Losing long-standing places like this and Boccacio hurt. I am always amazed when new places open in locations that have failed so many times. I was actually planning to try Fin, given the reviews, but alas . . . .

My only quibble would be with why these places closed. Does that factor in to your decision? And, if not why not?

Not really. Because we talked a lot about each closing, I guess. El

I will miss Monsieur Martick's Bouilabaise, c'est tres bon! I've heard that he still makes paté. Is that true and how do I get some?

When did Fin close?? Bummer!

Looks like the Sun-Times group is declaring banktruptcy.

How about Angelina's?

Pisces? ... in the Hyatt?
I've lived in Baltimore long enough to remember the aroma of McCormick spices on Light Street. For those of you under 50, that would have been before the Hyatt was built. So, how could it be that I never heard of Pisces? Lack of advertising/marketing perhaps?

See in the paper that they are auctioning McCabes, real estate, liquor license etc. on 4/14 at 11:00 AM....

Marticks in Mount Vernon???

Angelina's went downhill drastically after it was sold. Went there about a year ago and nothing was as I remembered it.
As far as i see it, it died slowly when it changed hands. However, perhaps something good will come from it as it was recently on the auction block. As a close neighbor of the place, I hope so.

Why not focus on something positive? This is the most depressing top 10 tuesday ever. I am so sick of the media harping on everything that is soooo bad these days. Please go to the effort of giving some good places some ink so maybe they won't close down. What good does publishing a list of restaurants nobody can go to do?

Good News, Martick makes paté! How to get would be even better news, EL?

I agree with MDtopdad and was hoping to see the top 10 list of places to eat, drink, and watch the NCAA final four this weekend!

Razor Bahr,
On chowhound, it says that he was selling the pate to go. But that post was back in November.

Boccacio has been resurrected as "La Famiglia" in the Brasserie Tatin space!

McCabe's had been having trouble for a while. They had increased their prices to a point that the neighborhood just could not support (in my opinion). While it's only a short walk from my house, after the increases I would pass it up for the cheaper options on the Avenue. I hope the space is used well by the next owner.

EL why do you want Little Italy to be more than a "neighborhood of lovable family owned restaurants."? I thought the whole idea behind an ethnic area like Little Italy was to stay family owned and lovable. We have malls, the Inner Harbor and amusement parks for the other stuff.

bring back mccabes!! i miss their burgers!

Blaino,

You want some good news? The fact that we are talking about restaurant closings rather than soup lines is relatively speaking, good. If you can still afford to dine in a restaurant that is good. If you don't go to bed hungry that's good. See, it's all how you look at it.

Still in mourning over Martick's. The food was always good, and where else could you find a fellow from the Red bookstore around the corner sitting at the bar the same evening guys who'd been on Wall Street Week showed up for dinner.

About a year ago I had a pretty extensive sit down conversation with Morris Martick. This was my first and only time that I had spoken with the individual and he definatley fits the description that eveyone has said of him. I left his restaurant and felt really depressed/confused. His age and mentality was clearly showing, yet he still retained the ability to cook, just not anything new or out of his realm (which is fine). Once I got home I had really wished I could've found an option for Martick's to continue, yet it just seemed his family had forgotten about him or that he is so set in his ways that outside help was not an option he would want to seek. It's a shame seeing institutions such as this fade away, but we all have to keep in mind that when it comes down to the matter, it's about business and money.

I'm certain I will be grilled for this, but what about Vin, I know why it closed, but it had so much potential, now the only options you have is someplace called a Factory, a chinese buffet, and a few minutes away you have that nursing home the Peppermill for the towson area. Also is Saffron still open, never hear anything about that. On a sarcastic note. . what about Ray Lewis Full Moon Bar B Que

On one of our first dates my wife and I went to Martick's. We felt so sophisticated.That was 45 years ago.

About 3 years ago I called Martick's to make sure the restaurant would be open after an evening movie. Martick said not to worry about the time. He would keep the restaurant open so we could have our dinner. What a class act. He and his restaurant are sorely missed!

Good Lord, Boccaccio is closed. E.L. has mentioned it in about 6 columns. GET OVER IT. It is sad that Giovanni is no longer with us, but unfortunately, lives . . . and restaurants do end. I truly believe E.L. gets pleasure from her constant mentioning of closed restaurants. Also, think of the hypocrisy. . . complain about the small things that happen during one brief visit to a restaurant, then lament their loss once gone. What a sad, low, life she has.

Mr Roberto, consider yourself excluded from the League of Roberts. Its not nice to be that nasty about our Leader. You really don't get it. Very sad.

Dang, Elizabeth. What did you do to Roberto?

Hey, Roberto, don't be coming on EL's blog and then slamming the woman. Hypocrisy has nothing to do with a woman doing her job (and a damn fine job I might add) and then expressing regret about the loss of a restaurant. I wouldn't say she's ever gone for someone's jugular. But you better watch yours. There might be a hungry Owl looking around for some carion to feed on. I suspect you'd make a mighty tasty tidbit.

BTW, since you obviously know nothing about EL, she has a very rich full life unlike yourself obviously!

When Boccaccio's came up in this thread, I didn't remember what it was (I think it closed before I got here).

Martick's, now that closing gets mentioned a lot.

Yes, places close, things change. Remembering those things is respectful and also a way that folks bond here.

UhOh Roberto wanna tho down!
Bring It ;-).

Roberto..yea and whats with all the mention of new restaurants?
Restaurants open all the time....

'mornin' fellow boxers. not another word wasted on roberto please.
my wife is strictly {nearly} an east-side gal, so we did finally get to Martick's when the periodic-gonna-close-soon rumblings began again a few years ago.
the only thing wrong with the evening was we had friends waiting for us at home, and the meal, as you can imagine, was very slow in coming.
on the other hand, we love the slow ideal, and we thought the whole experience was terrific, great tasting food, friendly service, cool atmosphere.
one or 2 other times before that, we sought out the place, only to find the locked door, and a darkened street {a little looking-over-the shoulder on my part going on}.
but of all my dining out times in this town, it was truly memorable, i can still see the phantasmagorical dining room, sort of see the food {dark in there}, and remember strolling out with my baby on my arm feeling so glad we had finally got there.

Not necessarily significant but a little sad is what appears to be the abrupt closing of the Bolagiano's (sp?) Bistro on Chesapeake Avenue in Towson. When I walked by this morning the walls were covered with paper and a sign was there saying Dillweeds, Coming soon. I think they were only there a few months and the food always looked good. Not a good sign for the Blue Grotto next door.

Roberto, the one I don't get is Pisces. Extremely expensive restaurant (or so we were told in the review), only two and half stars for the food, then shock that it closed. I wonder how it stayed open as long as it did.

I think a restaurant that depends on convention and tourist traffic is hurt by a low star review. Many people will browse a newspaper'e reviews before visiting a different city to pick out the highly rated places to spend their dollars. I am always amazed how few will read the review to make an informed decision.

Ms. All-Powerful EL, now that you have shaken and stirred the economy to make old places close and new ones open, can you please reopen Mee Jun Low, the Lotus Inn, White Rice Inn, the Open House, the News American and make Charles St. two-way again?

Not only did he cook well, although I heard others took over the kitchen in recent years, Martick created the stained glass windows that kept the hustle and bustle of Mulberry Street at bay. Quel dommage, avoir Martick, mais j'éspere à bientot!

Pay no attention to the reviewer behind the curtain.

The big loss for me in the last year was the Capital Brewery at the Inner Harbor. Good food (I'd give it two stars) and great beer. One of the best Porters brewed in the United States. Though technically a chain it was far more local than Hooters. I still make the trip to DC for the location next to the train station. Definitely miss the pretzels and the beer. Or maybe it closed in 2007. 2008 is kind of a blur.

EEL, only two stars for "good food"?

Missing out on Martick's along with Marconi's and Haussners are my biggest culinary regrets. Martick's probably more than the other ones because I knew time was running out and I still didn't make it over there.

I figured it was probably as good as Sullivan's.

Brasserie closing is depressing...3 weeks ago, this wasn't planned, as the manager told me the rabbit duo would be back on the French menu in 3 weeks.

You haven't seen the last of the French Brasserie...

i miss mccabes

diana desierto, didn't McCabe's just reopen?

Dahlink, you're right -- McCabe's has reopened, as noted in last week's Table Talk.

diana desierto = sneaky shill