Cyrus closing in October

BiteClub has reported that the famed Healdsburg Michelin-starred restaurant Cyrus will be closing in October after settling a nearly two-year dispute with Bill Foley, owner of the Les Mars Hotel which has housed Cyrus since it opened in March 2005.

Press Democrat Columnist and BiteClub blogger Heather Irwin spoke with Nick Peyton, who co-owns the restaurant with Chef Douglas Keane.

“I truly feel good about it,” Peyton said. “There was a lot said and a lot of misunderstandings, and we got to sit down (with Foley) and work it out in every way. It’s a positive thing.”

In the deal that was reached in the last few days, Foley will buy out Cyrus’ remaining lease. The Cyrus name, concepts and recipes will stay with the original owners.

“The brand is still ours,” said Peyton. “We are not retiring. We’re going to take some time and figure out what our next move is. We’re happy about this in every way.”

Peyton said an announcement was made to the staff before service on Thursday. Keane has called Cyrus his “dream restaurant.” It is known worldwide for its contemporary and creative take on food, precise presentation and impeccable service. In 2009, Keane won a James Beard award for Best Chef Pacific, and Peyton was recently nominated for a James Beard award for Outstanding Service.

Cyrus has long had an uneasy relationship with the luxury Les Mars hotel. While discussions have gone on over the years,  they each continued to operate at arm’s length.

Foley owns several wineries, including Chalk Hill and Sebastiani in Sonoma, and two hotel properties. He bought the Les Mars two years ago with partner David Fink, and negotiations over the lease and other matters became contentious, eventually leading to Peyton and Keane filing a lawsuit. After months of back-and-forth, a trial was scheduled to begin later this month in Sonoma County.

But in recent weeks, Keane said, the parties had begun to talk about a settlement. When it came, along with relief there was some sadness.

Read the full story here.