DT Prime is closed, Bamboo Garden ends run, Albuquerque becomes Guadalajara

DT Prime is currently closed and no updates have been announced.

It was a big, big week on the local food scene, with popular restaurants closing, new places opening, another changing concepts and more. In fact, I couldn’t fit everything in today’s space, so be sure to check back next week for more!

DT Prime is currently closed, but is it temporary?

A high-profile restaurant in downtown Charleston is currently closed, but no announcement has been made as to why – or if the shutdown is temporary or permanent.

Readers have been blowing up my phone and inbox asking about the fate of DT Prime, an upscale steakhouse that opened inside the space formerly housing The Block at 201 Capitol St. back in 2022. The restaurant has been unexpectedly dark of late, they say, and they’ve been unable to confirm what’s going on.

Dining room inside DT Prime

Several reports on social media have cited a variety of potentially major or minor reasons for the closure, but we all know anyone can say anything online. I wanted to shed some light on the situation here, but owners Todd Moore and David Andrews did not respond to messages I left with confirmed read receipts this past Sunday and Monday seeking comment.

There was a lot of buzz when the restaurant opened and it received strong reviews (including from me) thanks to quality food, attentive service and a unique “cook your own steak on a hot stone” concept. Comments had been more divided recently.

I hope they can bounce back from whatever big or small hurdles they’re facing and I’d love to share an update here soon. The restaurant business is brutal, especially in these trying economic times.

New Albuquerque grill changing to Guadalajara concept

Just 10 days after I shared mixed reviews of a new Charleston restaurant I wasn’t sure was going to make it, the business announced it would be changing menu concepts to one that has worked well at other locations.

“Albuquerque Southwest Bar & Grill will be transitioning to our Guadalajara product after July 1,” the restaurant said on Facebook in a post shared by owner Sergio Lugo-Mata, also adding that they’ll be open seven days a week now.

Albuquerque is located in the renovated space that used to house Chris’ Hot Dogs, Gonzoburger and, most recently, the short-lived Elk City Bistro.

“We hope that the authentic Mexican brand performs better than the Tex-Mex option. Guadalajara #3 will share the same menu favorites as the other two locations in Nitro and Barboursville. Hope to see you in!”

While I was excited to see a true Tex-Mex option come to our town, most of the menu items I tried there were underwhelming, whereas their more traditional Mexican options fared a bit better. I loved the original Guadalajara Modern Mexican when I first reviewed its Nitro location back in 2023, so maybe this change will breathe some new life into this historic space.

Bamboo Garden closes in Sissonville

A popular Chinese restaurant in Sissonville closed its doors this past Saturday night.

Sesame Chicken from Bamboo Garden

Bamboo Garden at 6411 Sissonville Dr. shared a post on Facebook just a few days before saying: “Dear friends and customers, we regret to share that Bamboo Garden will be closing permanently on June 28. Thank you for your heartfelt support over the years. It has been a job and honor to serve you. We will always treasure the memories built with this wonderful community.”

Although I hadn’t been to Bamboo Garden in many moons, you may remember they received a handful of votes as the best local Chinese restaurant when I let readers pick their favorites back in 2019.

For those wondering, the two runaway winners in that poll were Rice Bowl at 121 Goff Mountain Rd. in Cross Lanes and (surprising to me anyway) China One at 4218 MacCorkle Ave. SE in Kanawha City.

The LaPorte Café announces new hours

The buzzy new restaurant I told you to check out last week that replaced Tricky Fish at 1611 Washington St. E. in Charleston sent me a nice note after that positive tease.

The Laporte Cafe

Or at least I thought it was nice – they may have felt differently!

“Thanks so much for your lovely words about The Laporte Café,” Chef Jesse Lyons told me later that day. “We got our ***** kicked today, thanks to you. The phone started ringing at 10:57 am (they opened at 11) and we were off!”

Umm … sorry, not sorry?

Rave reviews are already flooding my feeds, so I can’t wait to check the place out myself.

When I do, I’ll note the new hours they posted this week due to that spike in business. The restaurant is now open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

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Steven Keith is a food writer and restaurant critic known as “The Food Guy” who writes a weekly column for the Charleston Gazette-Mail and has appeared in several state, regional and national culinary publications. Follow him online at www.wvfoodguy.com or on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. He can be reached at 304-380-6096 or at wvfoodguy@aol.com.