Former Crow Hill owners exploring other opportunities

(Photo by Liz Biro)

Reports that downtown’s recently deceased Crow Hill might reopen were inaccurate.

Crow Hill owner Derrick Cook said he was “blowing off some steam” when he said that the restaurant might start dinner service again Tuesday night, a few days after preparing for the downtown Wilmington restaurant’s final service.

“That was me being frustrated yesterday,” Cook said Tuesday morning.

Crow Hill, 9 S. Front St., served its last meal Sunday night. By Monday, brown paper covered the space’s huge plate glass windows and a sign on the menu board read “86 Crow Hill. Stay classy Wilmington. We have loved serving you.”

“Eighty-six” is the term restaurant kitchen staffs use when they have run out of a particular menu offering.

Cook blamed a poor economy and mounting expenses for the closing. He said also that the city’s Front Street improvements stopping short of Front Street south of Market Street didn’t help, as the project’s end created a stark contrast between how Front Street looks on either side of Market Street.

Despite the open space, artistic farmhouse décor and a lively cocktail scene that charmed guests, the restaurant took a hit out of the gate. Its starting chef left just weeks after the shop started serving.

Cook and wife, Anna Sharma, plowed forward with a farm-to-table menu that garnered attention from The New York Times. Later, they toned down offerings to meet consumer demands for more casual, affordable fare. Next, the couple added live music, with Sharma taking the stage some nights.

The couple said they hope to remain in Wilmington and are exploring other opportunities here.