Clio Will Shutter This Winter to Make Way for an Expanded Uni Sashimi Bar

Clio, Photo provided

Ken Oringer announced today that Clio, the executive chef’s flagship restaurant of nearly 19 years, will shutter after service on New Year’s Eve. Early next year, Oringer and Uni Sashimi Bar chef Tony Messina will expand that concept into the space next door.

“This transition for Clio represents our drive to always push boundaries,” Oringer said via a press release. “I’m really inspired by my travels throughout the world and the constant evolution of the food scene in New York, Paris, Tokyo and beyond–just as Clio was of a certain time and place, this new spot will showcase the best of today’s innovative dining culture and the style of food I like to eat now.”

The new Uni concept will continue to reflect modern-day dining in Japan, the release states. Currently, the 23-seat spot—one of Boston’s ultimate dining destinations—presents boundary-defying, cross-cultural takes on sushi in the deft hands of Messina, and is a pioneer of Asian-inspired street food in Boston. After traveling extensively in Japan, Oringer brought ramen to the city years before the salty soup’s current boom.

During a two-month swan song, Origner will look back on the nearly two decades of innovative, intricate, and illustrious cuisine at Clio. Classic dishes will reappear as a la carte specials, and Oringer will invite some of the many chefs who have come through the ranks at Clio to present pop-ups at the Commonwealth Ave. kitchen. The guests haven’t been announced, but that breadth of talent includes Tony Maws (Craigie on Main), Sam Gelman (Momofuku Toronto), Chris Chung (AKA Bistro), Alex Stupak and Lauren Resler (Empellon and Empellon Cocina), and Todd MacDonald (Willow Road in New York). 

Reservations are strongly—strongly—encouraged.

Clio, 370A Commonwealth Ave., Boston; 617-536-7200 or cliorestaurant.com.