Seattle Chef Erickson Closes Multiple Restaurants Amid Union Effort

Several notable steakhouses and restaurant chains are undergoing closures and restructuring in 2024. Seattle chef Renee Erickson announced temporary closures for her Bateau steakhouse and Boat Bar, with plans to reopen in three to six months, while permanently closing two General Porpoise café locations, converting one into a private dining room. These moves follow employee unionization efforts and are part of a broader reimagining of Sea Creatures Restaurants' footprint. In New York City, the acclaimed Porter House Bar and Grill will permanently close after nearly two decades, impacted by shifts in local clientele and increased competition. Meanwhile, Nusr-Et Steakhouse is drastically reducing its U.S. presence, closing locations in Beverly Hills, Dallas, Las Vegas, Boston, and New York City to focus on international expansion, with plans to grow its global footprint. These changes reflect wider trends of restaurant closures and shifts in the American dining landscape amid evolving market demands.