Has N9NE Steakhouse Closed? Nothing Official, But ...

By Robert Wilonsky Thu., Feb. 5 2009 at 9:52 AM

Categories: Biz, Dish

Early this morning, Christina Hughes Babb wrote on the Advocate's blog that N9NE Steakhouse in Victory Park sent its employees packing last night. Nothing official, just the word of staffers who found their way to Kenichi last night in search of a drink or a job. It's been a difficult story to confirm this morning, which hasn't stopped the tale from spreading here and here. Unfair Park just spoke briefly with Wade Hampton, marketing director for N9NE, who says he cannot comment ... not just yet. He promises to call back shortly with an official statement.

Dustee Tucker, who handles media requests for Ross Perot Jr.'s Hillwood, told Unfair Park this morning that "this is the first I've heard of that, so I'll have to check that out. I just don't know if that's true or not." Dave Pelletier, director of corporate communications for Hillwood, is on his way into the office; his assistant says he will call as soon as he arrives.

Matt Pulle, while working on his cover story about Victory Park last week, had heard word that the eatery was on its last legs. But only last month, N9NE signed up (a very bored-looking) Mike Modano as its spokesman; at the same time, it began offering a "$45 in 45 Minutes" pre-game menu, which apparently was no deal at all.

Will update accordingly.

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It'll be interesting to see what's next for this bunch, now that they have fleeced two groups of investors out of a helluva lot of cash. (Before coming to Dallas, N9NE Group made an ill-fated attempt to expand to Palm Springs. The venues failed within the first few months. The investors lost everything.) But then, Vegas is their claim to fame. Huge success. But anyone with a griddle and some pancake mix can make money in Vegas, so that's really nothing to brag about. Got some extra cash you want to throw down a N9NE foot black hole? Step right up!
If it is to reopen, they should change the name to: Wine Me, Dine Me 60" It will be an inside joke to all of us since we would all remember it as 9...fiddle, fiddle.
The decision to close N9NE Steakhouse wasn't made on the fly. N9NE announced in February that they had moved Chris Conlon, a very talented and knowledgable chef who ran multiple, high-profile venues in Dallas to the tiny little mountain resort town of Aspen, Colorado to run a single venue in a much smaller, very seasonal locale. At that point, it became clear that N9NE management had thrown in the towel in Dallas. Of course, there was a good PR spin on this, as it was announced under the pretense that Conlon was moving on to bigger (well, not really) and better (remains to be seen) things, and that chef Tommy Simpson had been "promoted" to fill Conlon's recently vacated position. Translated: "we're looking out for the people we care about before we pull the plug on those that are left behind." They moved the people they needed--everyone that mattered--before locking the doors and leaving everyone else to fend for themselves. At least the employees were told ahead of time, instead of showing up for work the next day and finding an "OUT OF BUSINESS" sign on the door. How considerate.
What a shame. I really enjoyed the place, and the food. My wife and I spent some good and memorable evenings there. At least Ghostbar is still around to rock the house. That place is packed whenever I go there, so they must be doing awesome. I heard tell that Ghostbar was keeping N9NE steak going with the money they were making.
hmmmm, maybe if they mixed in some food that was slightly above average they could have lasted another 2 weeks. Sorry all you Chris Chris jerkoffs.
What a drag! This was a cool restaurant with great food, atmosphere, and service, but I never thought about going there if I didn't have AAC tickets, as I have no idea where to park. I know that sounds lame, but it is true.
Frou frou is out. Mc Donalds is in. This culinary opinion is brought to you by the dust at the bottom of your bag of cereal - Fake Sports Panties.
I used to work there as a server. I knew this was gonna go down real soon. The month of Feb had plenty of reservations with Valentine's day over 400. What happened was that N9NE group did not let the people who work there make decisions without running it by Chicago's Michael Kornick who is Chef Consultant. He doesn't know Dallas!!!!! I hope you read this Kornick. Next time, let the people who know the city MANAGE!
Poor, poor $30k millionaires...
Just got a call from them cancelling our reservation for next Friday due to them shutting down.
I never made it to N9NE but I am still dreaming of the Bronzed Filet Mignon (over a Yukon potato cake, covered with creamed greens with chili-fried oysters and Creole butter) I had at Screen Door in One Arts last week - it was $42 but worth every morsel. Also had to have the "liver (foie gras) and onions". A place with quality and not 'the scene' will bring folks back every time. Not that I'm above checking out 'the scene'. Places like Al Biernat's seem to have both.
Odd that Mike would support them when he just opened his own restaurant in The Quadrangle with Brett Hull, Hully and Moe's. You guys should review it, btw.
wade <a href="http://www.pegasusnews.com/news/2009/feb/05/n9ne-steakhouse-dallas-victory-park-appears-have-c/">speaks</a>
$45 for $10 fare more like it. Good riddance! This casual dining review was brought to you by the lead stains on your eraser - Fake Sports Panties.