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Top Chef alum, cookbook author, and restaurateur Katsuji Tanabe closed down his Raleigh, North Carolina, restaurant High Horse after just a few months in business. After opening at 208 Wolfe St., in November 2019, the wood-fired eatery was no longer making any money due to the COVID-19 pandemic. High Horse was not able to pivot to a takeout model, so revenue halted in March when Gov. Roy Cooper shut down bars and restaurants.
In a previous interview with Eater, Tanabe said “I didn’t move here to open just one restaurant. I’m definitely looking throughout the Triangle but taking baby steps. My focus for now is this first restaurant which is really going to be a flagship restaurant for me.” The chef told the News & Observer that his partner did not want to try to reopen, even though the restaurant previous to the pandemic was profitable.
Tanabe will stay in Raleigh for the time being.
• ‘Top Chef’ Alum Katsuji Tanabe Joins Raleigh’s Growing Food Scene [ECAR]
• ‘Top Chef’ Alum Katsuji Tanabe Closes Raleigh Restaurant High Horse After Just Months [N&O]
