In Recession, Restaurants Come and Go

The crappy economy has sounded the death knell for several local restaurants, including Chanterelle, Thai Amarin and five TGI Friday’s. But there also are some green shoots springing up around the region. Chris Nestor, owner of midtown’s Ink, recently opened a restaurant called House in the space at 555 Capitol Mall once occupied by 55 Degrees. Mason’s will close Feb. 15 and reopen in mid-March as Cafeteria 15L, serving comfort food such as burgers and mac ’n’ cheese. Also in March, Bidwell Street Bistro owner Richard Righton and his chef, Wendi Mentink, will open Relish Burger Bar in El Dorado Hills. And an Italian restaurant called Sienna is set to open shortly in El Dorado Hills’ Borgata shopping center, in the old Masque Ristorante space.