Radicchio Closes After Nearly Two Decades

After nearly two decades as one of Ridgewood's preeminent restaurants, Italian spot is the latest village business to close its doors.

A letter pasted to the red door on Franklin Avenue confirmed the last service at the restaurant was Saturday, August 20.

"Radicchio in Ridgewood is no more," said one worker behind the backdrop of an empty dining room and stacked plates ready to be shipped away. "Business had been very slow in the past few months and the owner decided to close it up," he said.

Multiple sources said some of the workers, including Chef Daniel Montoya, will be relocating to a new Radicchio restaurant in New York City.

But the space in Ridgewood may not be vacant for long.

Those close to the situation say an Indian restaurant will be taking its place with an expected opening date this fall.

Owner Sati Sharma–who took over Radicchio in spring of 2010 from longtime owner Aldo Cipolat–also runs Brick Lane Curry House, a popular upscale Indian restaurant in the East Village.

: "It would kill me to see a place like this just shut down. We're in it for the long run."

He could not immediately be reached for comment.