Blue Ridge Kitchen in Barlow, Sebastopol, closed its doors permanently without any prior information. The restaurant did not cite any reason for closure and just posted a notice at the door mentioning that the “kitchen is closed.” As per the neighbors, the kitchen closed on Sunday, while the bar remained open to serve final drinks on May 4.
Highlights
- There is uncertainty regarding the exact day and reason for the Blue Ridge Kitchen’s closure.
- The restaurant was located in the Barlow Market in Sebastopol and opened around five years ago.
- The sudden closure elicited different reactions from the community, some positive and some negative.
Blue Ridge Kitchen Made an Unannounced Closure
Blue Ridge Kitchen was a new American restaurant that opened five years ago at 6770 McKinley St, Ste 150, in Sebastopol’s Barlow market area. Though the eatery opened in the early pandemic days, it still gained traction among diners.
Beginning on Saturday, a statement started going viral on social media claiming that May 3 and 4, 2025, will be the last operational days of the restaurant. As per that post, the Chef and co-owner announced this news on a radio show. Though there are uncertainties about the authenticity of this statement, the kitchen posted a “closed” sign at their door on Sunday.
According to neighbors, the bar at Blue Ridge Kitchen remained open, featuring subdued music and a few patrons. It is speculated that the kitchen was already closed, and the bar’s final service was a gesture to thank their loyal customers.
Community Reaction to Closure
The closure of Blue Ridge Kitchen elicited mixed reactions from the community. Some loyal customers were sad about the sudden closure. But those who had less pleasant experiences were not surprised.
A person commented on Facebook about the great service and taste at the restaurant, and how disappointing it was to hear the closure news. Some wished that it did not close as they loved eating in the patio area. Other customers had a bad experience with the food and service at the restaurant. They were sorry to see it close, but not surprised.
Blue Ridge Kitchen used to operate throughout the week, offering diners a farmhouse-style ambiance. Chef Matthew D’Ambrosi served Southern-inspired dishes at the restaurant and assembled a leadership team, including General Manager Eric Zahra and Consulting Chef Jared Rogers.
