This is admittedly pure speculation but I posted this on Phil Vettel's Facebook post re the restaurant:

They don't offer much hope of reopening. And if you believe finances had nothing to do with it, i have a big bridge to sell you in New York. Even let's say they were splitting up, if they were making enormous amounts of money, they would find a way to remain business partners.

Someone replied that my assertion isn't true, and I have no knowledge, and am just flat out wrong. May be but I commented in reply that when people are making money hand over fist they find a way to work it out. They may not have gone broke (as in bankrupt) but I doubt they were doing very well. Its very hard to make money in a gastronomic restaurant with high food costs and few covers. Just the reality. That, plus from what I read here, they weren't very adaptable to people's requests.

But there are many steps between not closing for financial reasons and making money hand-over-fist. I think 42 Grams likely had among the best profit margin for fine dining on a per-person basis; neighborhood where the rent is low, minimal staff, non-refundable tickets, very high prices etc. However serving only 32 people/per week means even if they were doing fine financially, they certainly were not making such vast amounts of money that it would seem like a good idea to stay open if, hypothetically, they were splitting up. However if not for splitting up, the financial health was plenty good they would not be thinking about closing.

For those of you unfamiliar with Uptown, that stretch of Broadway is in the midst of a complete rejuvenation. Practically every building between Wilson and Leland is being renovated or replaced with new development, in anticipation of the Wilson CTA stop replacement being completed. This is purely speculation, but it might be a situation where either the landlord desired a rent increase which exceeded their ability to raise prices without sacrificing quality or the landlord wishes to cash out on their investment and there was a reasonable doubt about 42 grams being able to continue in their current location on an ongoing basis.

I'm disappointed that I didn't prioritize going to the closest fine dining restaurant to my residence, but I wish them all the best in their future endeavors.

If that were the case I doubt the closing would have been so abrupt and the explanation of the closing so cryptic.

From Uptown Update
(http://www.uptownupdate.com/2017/06/42- ... ently.html)

And from Jake Bickelhaupt in an email:
"Dear gastronomes,

I am sad to say that my journey with 42 grams has ended abruptly. Over the last 5 years, I have had such a wonderful experience with my underground “guestaurant” Sous Rising that organically led to my dream restaurant, 42 grams. It was my pleasure to cook for so many amazing people from around the world and of course from Chicago. And, I’ll forever cherish all the connections and friends that I have made along the way.

I promise that I gave my whole heart and soul to satisfy my guests every night. I gave everything I had to give. So with that in mind, I know I did the best I could. 42 grams was only intended for one purpose: to inspire! I was inspired and I hope you were inspired as well. I will take a short break to gather my thoughts. But, I will come back again and cook. After all, cooking is what makes me happy.

Until then, cheers!"

Former 42 Grams Chef Launches ‘Wandering Supper Club’ Pop-Up

https://chicago.eater.com/2017/9/7/1627 ... rant-konro

What's missing from films about the Chicago restaurant scene?
http://trib.in/2DARmAB

lodasi wrote:From Uptown Update
(http://www.uptownupdate.com/2017/06/42- ... ently.html)

And from Jake Bickelhaupt in an email:
"Dear gastronomes,

I am sad to say that my journey with 42 grams has ended abruptly. Over the last 5 years, I have had such a wonderful experience with my underground “guestaurant” Sous Rising that organically led to my dream restaurant, 42 grams. It was my pleasure to cook for so many amazing people from around the world and of course from Chicago. And, I’ll forever cherish all the connections and friends that I have made along the way.

I promise that I gave my whole heart and soul to satisfy my guests every night. I gave everything I had to give. So with that in mind, I know I did the best I could. 42 grams was only intended for one purpose: to inspire! I was inspired and I hope you were inspired as well. I will take a short break to gather my thoughts. But, I will come back again and cook. After all, cooking is what makes me happy.

Until then, cheers!"

According to co-owner Alexa Welsh and court documents obtained by Eater Chicago, the restaurant shuttered after she was attacked by her ex-husband, 42 Grams chef and co-owner Jake Bickelhaupt.

https://chicago.eater.com/2018/4/27/172 ... pt-chicago

For people not inclined to click on links and in light of some of the baseless speculation upthread, I think it's important to make clear this is not a he said, she said situation. Jake Bickelhaupt pleaded guilty to battery and people should be fully aware of who they're supporting should they think about going to his current pop-up restaurant operation or any future establishment he might open.

Here's what he did to her at the restaurant: He grabbed Alexa Welsh, his wife and co-owner of the restaurant by her hair and threw her to the ground. Then he took a bottle and hit her in the head with it so hard that two staples were needed to fix the damage.

Here's a comment she left on Facebook:

The business did not kill the marriage. Domestic abuse killed the marriage. I decided my life was more important than waiting for someone to change. And of course now I know narcissists don't change (or at such a low % it's safe to say 'none'). Anyway, it's only in hindsight, being removed from it, that I can appreciate how truly dire my situation was. Don't feel devastated. I'm safe. I'm happy. And I'm doing well. *hugs* Alexa

Best of luck to her.

incredibly depressing story and yeah, best of luck to alexa

What a piece of garbage. I hope no one plants on visiting Konro after reading this. Not surprising for anyone who saw how self-absorbed he was in the 42 Grams documentary.

The Trib has now picked this up . . .

at chicagotribune.com, Joseph Hernandez wrote:Following Bickelhaupt’s attack and the restaurant’s abrupt shuttering, he was arrested June 6 on a domestic battery charge, which was later downgraded to simple battery. In July, according to court records, a judge released Bickelhaupt, after he pleaded guilty, with a number of conditions, namely mandatory drug and alcohol testing, completion of a domestic violence program, and a restraining order prohibiting him from contacting Welsh until July 23, 2018.

Court documents reveal domestic violence past of 42 Grams chef

=R=

42 grams chef battered his ex-wife. Now he has filed a $250,000 defamation lawsuit against her.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/dining/c ... story.html