Yes, the rumors are true, Northern Liberties favorite Azure has closed its doors for good. The restaurant, which opened over 4 years ago, quickly became a go-to destination for residents on the North side of town and beyond. Offering “vacation cuisine” — to our knowledge, the only place in the city to do so — Azure served up comfort food from all around the world including Caribbean, Greek, Asian, Mexican and more. Azure also offered sophisticated vegetarian selections, well beyond the uninspired veggie dishes served at neighboring gastropubs. Some favorites of the Phoodie staff included:
· the ever delicious Greek Plate served with the best hummus, olives and stuffed grape leaves around;
· the Honey and Ancho Glazed Wings, that taught Joey to forget the bone and love the process;
· and the Greek Baked Shrimp, a little hot pot of shrimp, feta, peppers and onions.
Suffice it to say, this place is going to be missed, and its absence will leave a hole in the neighborhood well beyond the loss of Deuce.
Here is what the owner, Azure Bob, has to say about his departure from the ‘hood:
“I’m sitting at my desk with tears rolling down my face, writing this.
Yes it’s true we sold AZURE. Sue and I loved Northern Liberties from the day we moved here. We had the best customers anyone could find, a lot of them becoming personal friends. My staff was the best, the last year with Julio as my chef was an experience I’ll never forget. He made the crazy restaurant business a joy. Plus putting out the best food AZURE ever served here. Brandon and Todd helped me put AZURE together from the start, then little by little we developed a family of employees who we grew to love, and will miss them dearly. Anyone who knows me knows that the last year I have been living with great pain in my back. And now it’s time to retire and smell the roses. We purchased a boat and plan to travel but Northern Liberties will still be our home. I am also working hard with the new owners to keep my staff on they were the best.
Love Bob”
Man, you just warmed our cold hearts. Happy sails, and if you ever feel the restaurant bug again, you know where you are welcome. Also, Food and Drinq hints about who the new owners may be. Do we really need another gastro-pub on 2nd Street?
NorthernLiberties.org: Bye Bye Bob! Bye Bye Happiness!
Closed or sold?
Any chance of it retaining what it is?
Bummed.
Rumor has it the owners of Royal / Cantina purchased the building. I guess we will see what they decide to do with it, but my guess is that it will be something very different.
They only purchased the business - they will be leasing the space from Bob. They hope to be open quickly (2 weeks is what I was told - but that sounds optimistic).
Is the chef staying? Azure is/was hands down my favorite restaurant… Asian salad with seitan tips, exotic mushroom quesadilla, sweet potato fries, and sangria… these are the things that I can’t imagine living without!!!
Sorry to make this a venting sesssion but it’s been over a week and I am having severe withdrawl issues.