Graceful Exit is Great PR for Local Restaurateur

On Wednesday of this week, I received a notice from a local food blog that I follow, EaterAZ, that one of my favorite restaurants was closing its doors forever.  Tapino Kitchen & Wine Bar was a great Scottsdale eatery, started by Scottsdale Culinary Institute grad James Porter. 

In reading the EaterAZ entry about Tapino's closing, it was apparent to me that Chef Porter had been very transparent with the writer.  The reporter gave a very fair account of the restaurant closing (almost sentimental) and then also spoke of Chef Porter's future venture. Instead of locking the doors and disappearing into the night, Chef Porter granted interviews and spoke directly to each of his loyal fans and the food community in his closing letter found here.

What a gracious and graceful way to go out of business. He knows (or maybe his PR person Wendy knows!) that placing no blame, providing transparency in messaging and sympathizing with the employees and fans of the restaurant is a great way to be remembered. And, because I know that he has another restaurant on the horizon – what a great way to keep those fans loyal and chomping at the bit for the next Chef Porter experience. It's also a great way to ensure fair coverage from the media in the future.

I think that the quote his letter closes with summarizes it best. Bravo, Chef Porter. "That though the radiance which was once so bright be now forever taken from my sight. Though nothing can bring back the hour of splendor in the grass, glory in the flower. We will grieve not, rather find strength in what remains behind." – William Wordsworth

– Posted by Dana Arnold, APR