Iconic California Restaurant Group Vine Hospitality Closes All Locations Abruptly

Vine Hospitality, the company behind popular Bay Area eateries LB Steak and Left Bank Brasserie, has abruptly ceased operations at all seven of its locations, leaving hundreds of employees without work. The closures occurred with little notice, ending a nearly three-decade run for the restaurant group.

CEO Alistair Levine cited a "challenging operating environment" and the unexpected failure of two San Francisco restaurants that were set to open as reasons for the closures. Levine also noted that many Bay Area restaurants are still grappling with the economic fallout from the pandemic, stating, "Some people are thriving but most of the industry is severely struggling."

The shuttered locations include Meso Modern Mediterranean, which closed June 22 after two years in business. LB Steak at Bishop Ranch City Center in San Ramon closed on June 22, and its Santana Row outpost in San Jose closed June 24. Left Bank restaurants also saw multiple closures: Santana Row and Menlo Park locations shut their doors on June 23, followed by the Larkspur restaurant on June 24. The Tiburon Petite Left Bank was among the first to close, on June 22.

Over 300 employees are affected by the closures. According to reports, the company is providing vacation pay and final wages to its staff. In a social media statement, the company expressed gratitude to its "dedicated team members, whose hard work, passion and commitment brought the spirit of Left Bank to life each and every day."

Customers and former employees expressed shock and disappointment on social media, with some describing the abruptness as "pulling the rug out" and calling for more adequate notice periods for staff. Many shared fond memories of the restaurants and expressed concern for the employees' well-being.

Vine Hospitality was founded in 1994 by Ed Levine, Alistair Levine’s father, who partnered with French chef Roland Passot to establish the brasserie concept. The first LB Steak opened at Santana Row in 2009. Left Bank restaurants, including one in Oakland that closed earlier in 2024, had built a loyal following with their French-inspired cuisine and traditional celebrations like Bastille Day.

The restaurant group's financial difficulties were also highlighted by a lawsuit filed in late 2024 by a former Left Bank Oakland sous chef, who alleged improper pay and wrongful termination. The closures of Vine Hospitality's establishments reflect a broader trend of businesses struggling in the Bay Area, with several retail stores and restaurants having shuttered recently due to declining sales.