Il Desco Community Table, photo courtesy of Jill Cruz Photography
Two higher end restaurants have closed their doors in Riverside this month.
Hobnob, located at 220 Riverside, ceased dinner service earlier this month in favor of remaining open and available as a full service event space.
Today, Forking Amazing Restaurants announced the closing of their Italian concept, IL DESCO, effective immediately. All employees have been notified of other opportunities within the Forking Amazing Restaurant Group, namely at Cowford Chophouse until Bistro Aix reopens from hurricane damage next month. Any outstanding IL DESCO gift cards may be used at Cowford Chophouse or Bistro Aix after it opens.
Hobnob has also assured guests with outstanding gift cards that they have arranged for those balances to be honored at Five Points Tavern, applied to any ticketed event at Hobnob, or event booked with Hobnob.
So why have two beautiful restaurants in the same part of town closed this month? And what does it mean for the brand new River & Post around the corner? It’s hard to say. It’s no secret that profit margins are razor thin in the restaurant industry. Do Riverside residents prefer more casual dining? Will Jacksonville residents at large not travel beyond their area of town for a nice dinner? That’s a scary thought for Cowford Chophouse, Forking Amazing’s glorious new steakhouse downtown.
Forbes Magazine named Jacksonville one of the 25 fastest growing cities in America in 2017. That growth has been felt in the rapid expansion of our restaurant scene over the last couple of years, but hopefully it sustains more than just chain restaurants in the St. John’s Town Center. Only time will tell.
Hobnob- Kitchen
Hobnob – Creamy Ricotta Fritters