9 North, perhaps Passaic County's best new restaurant, is closing at the end of dinner service tonight. Chef-owner Josh Bernstein blames the economy. "We just had some bad luck," he said.
Bernstein bought the former Hearthstone Grill on Berdan Avenue two years ago and turned it into a contemporary seasonal American BYO. It opened in February 2008 to encouraging reviews (three stars in The Record; Very Good in The New York Times), but then, the economy soured.
Bernstein took what he thought was a proactive step, converting his menu to a fixed-price model ($30 for a three-course dinner, $12 for a two-course lunch, with supplements for premium items) late last year. It guaranteed him steady per-check revenue, but did it keep away customers seeking a quick weeknight meal?
"It seemed to be the right [decision] because everyone started to do prix-fixe menus," he said, conceding that unlike the other restaurants, 9 North didn't offer an a la carte option. "We just went for something and if it worked, it worked. We thought it would spur on a lot more business."
The restaurant had been for sale for quite some time, he noted, but there were no takers. He also had been trying to sell the liquor license associated with the Hearthstone. He couldn't comment on whether they were still on the market.
It's always sad to hear when places close for me. Good luck in your future endeavours.
Posted by: Fred | Jun 13, 2009 at 10:58 AM
Kudos to Chef Bernstein for dealing with this honestly and with integrity. So many restaurants close suddenly and the owners slink off without the least bit of courtesy to their customer base and then they wonder why they have a bad reputation.
I wish Chef Bernstein well in his future endeavors.
Posted by: JuliaE | Jun 16, 2009 at 12:25 PM
JuliaEm,
You mean like Chef Lo Pinto?
Posted by: Fred | Jun 17, 2009 at 06:29 PM
Lo Pinto wasn't even on my list, but more likely those dudes at Zen Den, and closer to home, the two guys who rented out my place and just one day banged up shop with a bunch of angry creditors lining up for payment, which I'm sure they're still waiting.
Bernstein's actions does the restaurant industry a big favor, besides helping himself in the future. Saying upfront "it's our last day and it was a pleasure having you as a customer" goes a long, long way into the future.
Posted by: JuliaE | Jun 18, 2009 at 03:01 PM
We enjoyed Chef Josh Bernstein's cuisine & wish him luck. If he lands in the area, let us know & we will visit the new location!
Posted by: Rob | Jul 14, 2009 at 11:33 AM
I was really disappointed to hear of the closing of 9 North. I had a small party there and everyone loved it. Too many people like inferior chain restaurants. 9 North was a gem in a sea of crap.
Posted by: MO | Jul 14, 2009 at 11:51 AM