Spencer Santenello of Prospect Street Cafe announced on Facebook that today is the last day for the cafe. (Update: On Facebook it was clarified that the restaurant is also closed today, May 9).
The restaurant opened in July 2007 at 114 Prospect St. and was known for its unique menu offerings. Here’s what reviewer John Stark said when writing about his top restaurants in March 2011:
“The Prospect Street Café is tucked into a nondescript mini-strip mall across the street from the old red brick city hall-turned-museum, but its interior is warm, softly-lit and quiet. When your top priority is a creative, exquisite meal that provokes sighs of delight at every bite, this would be your best local bet. It’s not cheap, but the quality justifies the price.
This isn’t comfort food. Don’t expect it all to sound familiar. Some people might be put off by something like Umpqua Valley rack of lamb with honey ricotta goat cheese, butternut squash potato gratin, spinach, red wine jus. Putting all those things together on one plate would not occur to most of us. But Chef Spencer Santanello knows what he’s doing. It all comes together like the notes of a symphony.”
Below is the Facebook post from Spencer:
I regret to inform you that the Prospect Street Cafe will be closing its doors for good on Wednesday, May 9th, 2012. It has been an honor, and a pleasure, cooking for everyone for the past 5 years. I would like to thank the local farmers and purveyors that have provided us with fabulous product. I would like to thank the amazing staff. Mahalo Nui for making the PSC a great place to cook. Going to the restaurant was fun and exciting everyday because of you.
Finally I would like to thank the loyal customers who dined at the PSC. Every night felt like a live performance you were a great interactive audience and part of the show. Without you and your support none of this would have been possible. As for me, I will remain in the Bellingham area and look forward to cooking for you in future culinary endeavors!
All the Best,
Spencer Santenello
well that is a real bummer! I have a $100. gift certificate~
Margot and I ate there at least once a week and brought our friends whenever we could from the week the restaurant opened until we left Bellingham in June of 2010. We were treated like welcome family and ate like healthy royalty. The Prospect Street Cafe quickly became our favorite – anywhere. We wish Spencer and the staff well and will miss them all.
Chuck
Hi Jane,
If you haven’t already, you might send Spencer an e-mail/call (go to prospectstreetcafe.com, click the hours link for the contact info) to see if you can work something out.
We tried to go there last Saturday, May 5th, and use a $100 gift certificate that was given to us. There was a sign on the door indicating they were closed, that week. Now we hear it closed permanently. This has happened to us twice with gift certificates given to us. First Tivoli last year, and now Prospect Cafe!
Hi Sherry,
Sorry to hear that… it seems Bellingham has had a tough time when it comes to the higher-end restaurants the past few years.