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Photo by John Gilhooley/OC Weekly

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Just over two years. That's the amount of time Costa Mesa's ode to sausage and beer lasted. We didn't learn about this by driving past, or even their website. Actually, it was from an acquaintance's check-in on foursquare (thanks Dan!) Saturday night that caught my attention. He noted, "Closing for good on Monday!? Not good."

A quick call verified the intel; their final day of business was actually Sunday.
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​The news came fast and quick. Shortly after our post about Fatburger at Park Place in Irvine biting the dust, two readers e-mailed us with the tip that its neighbor, Taleo in Irvine, was too, going to shutter.

I called the restaurant during lunchtime on Friday, and the person who answered not only confirmed the story, she said they were in the midst of serving their last meals as we spoke. The person also revealed that she'd started working there three weeks ago. She had just learned the news herself when she came on duty that morning.

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Photo by Jonathan Ho

​ This morning, Pascal Olhats sent out a newsletter to loyal customers announcing the closure of his seminal Newport Beach restaurant, Traditions, after nearly 25 years. He says that the last day of service will be Valentine's Day, but also revealed what his plans are for the future, including the news that the restaurant will be sold to a new owner who will be using Olhats as a consultant.

The Daily Pilot says that the new owner is none other than Christophe Émé of the recently shuttered Ortolan in LA. Emé, a fellow Frenchman, will open a more casual place called Émé in the spot.

Here is the letter in its entirety.

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Edwin Goei

​There used to be two Fatburgers in Irvine. Now, there are none. The Fatburger at Park Place, on Michelson and Jamboree, is finally closed, following other Fatburgers in the area to oblivion. The company had long ago already filed for bankruptcy.

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Edwin Goei

​I think I've become the unofficial and unintentional historian on the businesses that have come and gone at the shack on 14430 Newport Ave. in Tustin. Over the past five years, I have been keeping track, and there have been about four different restaurants trying and failing at that spot. Now it's time, yet again, for another update.

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ProfessorSalt.com

Dumpling soondubu at Cho Dang

​Sad news, soondubu lovers. The owner of Irvine's best soondubu restaurant, Cho Dang, is selling her business and closing up shop in January. While there's no shortage of restaurants in Irvine that specialize in the spicy Korean tofu stew, in this writer's estimation, none can beat Cho Dang's flavorful, thick-bodied broth.More >>

Dave Lieberman

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The closure of an obscure food court eatery might not garner much interest, but Si Roo was unique in that it provided a set of Korean foods not found elsewhere in Orange County.
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Edwin Goei

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I noticed in walking around The District in Tustin last week how deserted the place was. No, not the Costco part or the part where Target and Whole Foods continue to snarl up traffic; but the area around the theater. After the failure of Borders and Chaparosa Grill a few months ago, the quiet subset of The District called The Promenade could use a few tumbleweeds to complete the effect. Though the eateries on the outer edges of it, like JT Schmid's and Bluewater Grill are doing fine, go closer to the center of the plaza and you encounter empty shop after empty shop. It's eerie. More >>

Photo by Kevin Lara

​I meant to post this earlier this week after I got a tip from a reader from Tony who wrote:

"Long time reader over here. I was on my way to work and saw that on the corner of McFadden and Newport, where the Masala Bowl used to be, is now signage of Peter's Gourmade Grill coming soon.  Just thought I would share."

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