A high-end Madisonville restaurant that was positioned as a $6.5 million “crown jewel” has officially closed, according to Cincinnati Business First Journal, with a new concept from celebrity chef Fabio Viviani slated to take its place.
Alara, located at 5410 Medpace Way in the Madison Square development on the Medpace campus, served its final day on June 6. The restaurant’s closure comes after just two years in operation. No official reason for the sudden shutdown was provided, and reservations were reportedly canceled with guests directed to the nearby restaurant Zingaro.
According to a statement from Medpace, obtained by the Business Courier, Alara will be replaced by a new concept, Lorena Mediterranean Brasserie, a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant developed by Fabio Viviani Hospitality. The group also operates Zingaro within the same Madison Square development.
The company is led by celebrity chef Fabio Viviani, known for his appearances on Top Chef, Good Morning America, and multiple Food Network programs.
Lorena is scheduled to open in late 2026, according to project details shared via email and seen by the publication mentioned above.
The new restaurant will feature a coastal Mediterranean concept centered around open-fire cooking and shareable dishes. Menu offerings are expected to include wood-grilled fish, whole-roasted vegetables, steak frites, and other rustic, globally influenced plates inspired by coastal European and North African cuisine.
In a statement describing the concept, the restaurant group said Lorena is designed to “transport guests somewhere else for a few hours,” highlighting the diversity of Mediterranean culinary traditions, from Spain and Greece to France and Morocco.
The closure marks the end of Alara’s brief but ambitious run. Opened in 2024, the 10,000-square-foot restaurant was designed as a flagship dining destination for the Medpace campus. Developed by Looking Glass Hospitality, Alara featured an upscale American menu with steaks, seafood, pastas, and small plates, and was described by its creators as one of the most significant hospitality investments in the region.
Construction and build-out costs reportedly reached $6.5 million, with custom finishes throughout the space, including lighting, millwork, and furnishings. The restaurant included a mezzanine level and expansive patio, making it the largest project in Looking Glass Hospitality’s portfolio at the time.
What Now Cincinnati has reached out for additional comments and will provide updates as they become available.
