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+1 - I love this place, sure it got a little noisy sometimes, but that's because it was always packed! This would be very bad news indeed if it turns out to be true. Here's hoping that it's not!

I'm calling bravo sierra on this - we'll see tomorrow I suppose

This is devastating - Ox was our hands-down favorite restaurant and they seemed to be doing so well. I wonder what happened.... has anyone walked by to see what it looks like? I feel I need a visual confirmation of this, though I trust bullhead36 :(

Horrible news...

I don't usually post messages, but after reading some of the threads about the fate of Ox Restaurant, I decided to set record straight. I'm sure most people will find out soon enough, but Ox did close it's doors last Saturday. How do I know, I'm a former employee who worked there for over two years and was with one of the owners yesterday helping clean up. There will be more info. posted on Ox's website soon. Your patronage will always be appreciated.

Hate to add fuel to the fire, but I heard from my friend who is a bartender that Ox waiters have been going to the Lighthorse looking for jobs. Would they do that if it was just closed for a week? Please tell me yes, so I don't have to mourn one of my all-time favorite restaurants.

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Maybe you would if you want them to be able to collect unemployment for that period of time. Just sayin...

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Yeah, that doesn't make any sense at all.

WTF are you talking about Alastor? Unless you've spoken to the Ox owners and can explain why you're assuming they fired staff or couldn't afford a liquor license and are closed for good, why keep posting that? I know it's shocking to think people vacation in July....oh wait a second, that's not shocking at all. Do you work for M&P or something?

It entirely sucks that one of our best places has gone under, but we have to accept it. And question the absurd price to sell liquor in this state and city. Sadly, Ox is exactly the sort of establishment we need, but strangely one we cannot afford.

So how do you know they fired their whole staff?

Generally, you don't fire your staff if you're just going on vacation, especially for five days.

Someone's been using his Jump to Conclusions mat too often.

If it said "Closed for Renovations," that would be one thing. The sign says they're closed for five days or something. I'm sure it's just a vacation.

Sometimes having a sign that says "vacation" really does mean the owners are on vacation.

Sadly, I fear it's over.

I sincerely hope this is just a rumor.

Last Monday, 7/6, we took relatives from out of town there. I was surprised how full the restaurant was for a Monday and remarked on it to our server. He said that Mondays have been working out rather well for them, being one of the few restaurants open on Mondays.

Given how crowded it was on a Monday (after a holiday weekend), I would be surprised if it was more than a vacation.

Let's not start this rumor. I think they take a vacation every year. When you're a chef/owner, you probably have to close to take a vacation.

Many restaurants close for a week or two in the middle of summer, largely because in the summer they are too slow to keep their menu items fresh. Its not atypical.

I heard the rumor that OX is closed for good.

They said that they are on "vacation"..... I have seen this way too many times to believe it.
They closed for "renovation" and never open again..... etc.

The shady pizzeria where Sushi Tango was, they went on vacation and never returned. Oh well

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Thanks for the reply! That's a bummer about their brunch, it was delicious. Especially the french toast. I have yet to try them for dinner/happy hour - I would like to give both a try sometime soon.

Ate here for the first time and I'm sorry I waited so long. Every piece was outstanding. Between two of us, we ordered 8 separate items (not including drinks) and they were all fantastic.

The price was not bad at all, the same meal in NYC could easily cost twice as much.

Anyone that hasn't tried Ox for dinner should give it a try. Very reasonable for the quality of the food.

Nikyrob, the brunch is no longer an option. I think they were changing things up/experimenting a bit with their hours and such. They eliminated brunch on Sundays but then offered Lunch on Saturdays. I think neither was a success/worth the staff, because they've eliminated both.

They also tried later hours on weekend evenings, but I think they are back to 11 or so. They do have a happy hour on weeknights and I've seen it pretty crowded by the bar, so that may be to stay.

Hope that helps!

i have to say my last meal at ox a little over a month ago was the most embaressing travesity in food service i have ever seen. we were a large party, it was a snowy night, the usual bartender wasn't their and for some reason i think they only had one server (i think it was his 1st time serving too!)

though the food was still spot on, the service was horrible, spilled beverages/ruin cloths, forgotten food (we ordered two 1/2 portion entrees each they forgot to fire the 2nd which lead to a 1/2 and hour wait between courses), broken beverage glasses, served a drink they apparently either didn't know how to make or bother looking up (it was an aperitif they could have said they didn't know how to make, and it would have been acceptable).....at the end of the night the knocked off what would have amounted to the gratuity from the bill....BUT...still charged us a "gratuity" on our bill.

to anyone from OX's staff who is reading this, please take note, from someone (actually several of the people out to eat that night have made a living off of food at one point or another) who has cooked and served professionally. i took a huge offense to having a gratuity calculated for me that night, i know it was your policy and i can't argue that. i am no cheapskate and believe in paying for great food, but, my only means of showing your establishment and our server our displeasure was taken away from us. it wasn't like you comp'd 1/2 the bill or anything, i think it was in the 13% range and i still had to throw out two articles of clothing, that i will admit your manager or maitre d, offered to have cleaned for us.



in closing, after all that. this won't be the last time i eat there. THE FOOD IS JUST THAT GOOD. of the 10-12 times i have now eaten there this was the only time anything wasn't above and beyond my expectations, so after airing my grievances. i feel much better and please re-examine your policy of charging gratuity to a party of "___" or more, especially when you guys have royally screwed the pooch.

Has anyone been to brunch at Ox recently? I wanted to go this weekend - and I'd like to confirm if they still have that 12.95 deal that includes a meal/coffee/mimosa. I thought I read on here several weeks ago they'd changed the menu around a bit. Anyone know about this?

I adore The Embankment. I think they make the best fries in town and I'm addicted to the flatbread pie.

i looked at their web site a month or so ago and it noted a late night 10 pm-on happy hour, which sounded really good.
fyi, embankment has happy hour prices all night tuesdays.

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I walked by last night and it said Happy Hour 5-pm (1/2 price drinks I believe) but I'm not sure if that's because it was a Monday or not...

Does anyone know their happy hour specials? It's not listed on the website.

easily my favorite downtown eatery. as a culinary school drop out and someone who has been known to drop and dime or two on eats and travelling for eats and finding quality eats, i have to say DTJC should appreciate this place a little more. never had a bad meal or drink here. can't say the wife and i can afford to eat there on a weekely basis, but they have started serving half portions and they have always had the bar menu. the food is always inspired has always left me beyone satisfied. from the old bgosh, to the roast sweet and sour slab of bacon, to the newer mac and cheese with stewed tomatoes (which is my greatest comfort food ever) to the chicken and waffles. i can only sing its praises again and again and again. they treat me and the group of rag tag miscreants i associate very politely and serve very well.

if i could afford it, i'd eat there nightly!

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LOL. Good one. Took me a second but I got it.

One more reason they are an excellent restaurant is that they do cater to folks with kids, or so I have seen, without sacrificing their menu or the restaurant scene in general.