Famed chef Thierry Rautureau of Seattle’s French bistro Loulay Kitchen & Bar closes doors for good

Another popular foodie destination in downtown Seattle has closed its doors with a final "au revoir."

James Beard Award-winning chef Thierry Rautureau — also known as the "Chef in the Hat" — announced Monday that Loulay Kitchen & Bar had served its final meal and is now officially closed after eight years in business. Located on the ground floor of the Sheraton Hotel, the restaurant was inspired by Rautureau's hometown, Saint Hilaire de Loulay in France.

"Covid has been hard on a lot of us, and Loulay is no different. After been closed for over a year, we have decided to let it go," wrote Rautureau in a blog post. "We are very sad to have come to this decision and really want to thank all of you for your support over the years. Many friendships and memories have been created and will not be forgotten—Merci beaucoup."

Rautureau's other Seattle restaurant, the more casual French cafe Luc in Madison Valley, is also set to permanently close on Aug. 28 after 11 years due to a "financially unstable lease." Reservations for the restaurant's final weeks are still available.

The closure will mark the end of Rautureau's tenure in the Seattle restaurant industry, as his third restaurant, Rover's, closed in 2013 after 26 years. He now plans to work in his garden with his wife, Kathy, who does floral design in the city.

"We have done the restaurant life for the last 34 years in Seattle and are looking forward to watching the next generation take it over and run with it," he wrote.

Rautureau isn't the only Seattle chef that has closed once-landmark restaurants in the wake of the pandemic. After closing two of his South Lake Union restaurants early in the pandemic, Chef Tom Douglas closed his landmark dining destination Dahlia Lounge in March after 32 years in business. The space is now home to an expanded Dahlia Bakery, making more room for Douglas' famed triple coconut cream pie and new mochi doughnut popup.

Chef Renee Erickson also closed her lauded Belltown French restaurant, Boat Street Kitchen, last November amid pandemic dining restrictions.