The Shaw Bijou Closes Less Than 3 Months After Opening

The Shaw Bijou, one of DC's most anticipated high-end restaurants, has closed after just two and a half months of hemorrhaging money. Diners were immediately bitterly divided over Shaw’s newest restaurant, which initially charged $185 for the 13-course meal before tax, tip and alcohol. Responding to reviewer backlash, on Jan. 3, chef Kwame Onwuachi updated the dinner to consist of a more approachable, affordable seven courses for $95.

The meal, in both iterations, traced the trajectory of Onwuachi's travels; his résumé includes Eleven Madison Park and popular competition show Top Chef. Interestingly, few patrons were critical of individual plates — dishes reminiscent of familiar Bronx cuisine and exotic ones emulating those he sampled in Hong Kong; instead, many complained the price was simply too high.

Washingtonian’s Corby Kummer reviewed the restaurant before it overhauled its offerings format. He was more enamored of the charming team behind the operation than the food itself, which, according to his review, fell below the caliber of similarly priced fare in New York and DC.

People who visited "traveled" through the rooms to experience different courses, but many Yelpers complained the experience lacked cohesion. On the other hand, DCist wrote it was “one of the best dining experiences in the city, and it is worth the cost,” even at $185. It also deemed the journey through various rooms “graceful."

The restaurant may have been doomed from the start, as its high price elevated expectations and invited comparisons to the legendary Inn at Little Washington, Komi and Minibar; tough competition.

“Humility creeps up on you when least expected,” Onwauchi said of his decision to halve the price. On Monday, Onwuachi voiced his appreciation for backers on Facebook.

"Thank you to all of the people that worked countless hours on this project," he wrote. "Thank you, thank you, thank you."

According to the restaurant's owner, Onwuachi should rebound quickly from this setback, as he "had tons of offers before us."