Susanna Update...

Susanna Foo announced that she is closing Sulian, her restaurant at the Borgata in Atlantic City. It is big news but hardly surprising. I never understood her decision to open a casino restaurant in the first place. It just didn't fit her personality or what I perceive her way of doing business. Susanna Foo is an artist and she needs to be a hands-on owner. It's true that the Borgata was only an hour away, but in reality, she couldn't handle the thought of successfully running three restaurants at the same time (Susanna Foo in Philadelphia and her new Susanna Foo Gourmet Kitchen in Radnor).

I also believe that she has been deeply troubled by her recent problem in Philadelphia concerning an altercation with a parking authority officer. The much-publicized incident was totally out of character for this great chef, and perhaps was the result of pressure that only restaurant owners can fully appreciate. She did get probation and some community service (cooking lessons), so she can put this experience behind her. In concentrating on her restaurants in Philadelphia and Radnor, she did the right thing for her integrity as a chef, and her restaurants will be better for it.

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