Drawing from Korea, the Philippines and other global cuisines, Huiyona’s husband and wife co-owners Rachel and Mark Apuyan managed to create a much-beloved, critically-acclaimed small plates restaurant. Yesterday, Huiyona announced on Facebook that their restaurant would close after service Saturday:
Mark and Rachel wanted to let you all know that after a long year of many ups and downs… We have decided to close Huiyona’s doors. Thank you for your support throughout the past year. We couldn’t have made it this far without each and everyone of you! Please come down to Huiyona and visit us one last time. We will be open until Saturday, July 10th.
Though they recently celebrated their one-year anniversary, Huiyona (pronounced Hee-YAWNA and Rachel Apuyan’s given name) may suffer from its somewhat remote location in North Capitol Hill. Due in part to a desire to be more centrally located, for example, neighboring (CHS Sponsor) Tidbit Bistro relocated to a location in the Pike/Pine corridor just this month. In addition, long time fixture Roanoke Park Place Tavern announced in May 2010 that they may have to find a new location. Look for an update on the Roanoke’s current status from us soon.
and I was sad. I do think the far north end location hurt them as I kept meaning to get over there for dinner and never managed it. Same is true for Tidbit, although I am bound and determined to go to their new location before summer is out.
Going tonight to use my discount coupon – sorry to see them leave.
Good food.
So what are we supposed to do now that everything but the pizza places are shut down.
Boo. Boo, I say!
Wow, that space doesn’t seem to have great karma. Since the mid 90s, I think I remember:
Galerias (moved to Broadway)
Ortegas
Tomato Red (?) (Italian place)
Cellar Bistro
Huiyona
Spaghetti Reds
It’s a very strange space, very cut up and no flow. It will be interesting to see what goes in next, not sure what could work there.
I wasn’t exactly a regular at this fine restaurant….went there only twice…but am quite sad to hear this news. Rachel and Mark are very nice people and worked very hard to make this successful, but I think the location makes it impossible for any restaurant to make it there….not only “off the beaten track” in north Capitol Hill, but also totally invisible from 10th Ave E. And, of course, opening a new place in this economy was a set-up for failure.
The food was different in a very creative way, and quite delicious, but it wasn’t inexpensive and I think this is a factor in their closing. I was hoping they would re-open at a better location….we can always hope!
I missed this announcement and just purchased a gift certificate for this restaurant at restaurant.com. There was no indication there that they are closed. And Huiyona’s own restaurant website has no indication that they are closed. Poor business practice! =(