FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

LEFT BANK TO CLOSE SAN MATEO AND PLEASANT HILL RESTAURANTS

CORTE MADERA, Ca. (June 22, 2009) -- Richard Miyashiro, president and chief executive officer of Vine Dining Enterprises, Inc., an affiliated company that licenses the Left Bank trade name to limited liability companies that operate Left Bank brasseries in Pleasant Hill and San Mateo, today announced the closure of two restaurants.  Effective Monday, June 22, the Left Bank restaurant in downtown Pleasant Hill, owned and operated by La Rive Gauche Pleasant Hill, LLC, and the Left Bank restaurant in San Mateo’s Bay Meadows, owned and operated by La Rive Gauche San Mateo, LLC, will close.  The Pleasant Hill location has been in business since October 2000, and San Mateo since November 2003.   

Vine Dining Enterprises, Inc. was founded and is owned primarily by Roland Passot, proprietor of San Francisco’s La Folie, and Bay Area restaurant executive Edward Levine.

 “Unfortunately, these two restaurants are victims of the severe recession that has impacted our clientele and the nation,” said Miyashiro.  “We are grateful for the loyal support and patronage that we have received from the citizens of Pleasant Hill, San Mateo and the surrounding communities during the past decade.” 

Miyashiro went on to state, “I am thankful for the dedication and commitment of our associates that have worked tirelessly on behalf of our guests and our business.  We are saddened that we no longer can sustain the impact of the downturn.” 

Miyashiro added that the Left Bank restaurants in Larkspur, Menlo Park and San Jose are vibrant and have been less impacted by the recession.  This July, Left Bank celebrates 15 years of serving Marin County at the Larkspur location.  Menlo Park was extensively remodeled in 2008 and reopened last October.  Santana Row continues to be an excellent location and the company’s newest outlet, LB Steak, debuted there last week. 

“We welcome patrons of Pleasant Hill and San Mateo to visit our other restaurants and remain a part of the Left Bank family,” said Miyashiro.  “We will miss being part of the Pleasant Hill and San Mateo communities.”    

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Media contact:  Sian Parry at Glodow Nead Communications, 415.394.6500 or Sian@GlodowNead.com