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"A French-influenced fine dining fixture since 2016, this acclaimed restaurant will close when its lease ends at the end of May, nearly two years after a James Beard Award nomination for Outstanding Restaurant. Led by co-owners chef Shaun McCrain—who previously cooked at New York’s three-Michelin-starred Per Se and drew raves at Seattle’s Book Bindery—and Jill Kinney, it earned spots on best-of lists but saw business slow last year, prompting a candid Instagram post about how unpredictable the industry and economy have become. The 3,300-square-foot space once handled 70 to 100 covers a night, a scale the team no longer reaches, and even with a willing landlord the owners say they need a break. In its final months, the restaurant is dropping the bar menu and streamlining its prix fixe, with more tableside elements, fewer accommodations for dietary restrictions, and a smaller kitchen crew (from four cooks to two) so McCrain can focus on dishes he most wants to cook. The closure was announced early to give loyal regulars and longtime staff—some stretching back to the Book Bindery days—time to plan, and the couple is already musing about a “Copine 2.0” that stays elevated with less overhead. It’s a little bittersweet, but they’re intent on enjoying a last run before the doors close." - Harry Cheadle