Long known for its wine, steak and fine-dining experience, The Carlton Restaurant Downtown announced it will close this month. 

“I offer my deepest and most heartful appreciation to the city of Pittsburgh and the patrons who made the last 37 years so memorable,” said owner Kevin Joyce in a press release. “Our customers are our family, and we have watched so many celebrate life’s milestones around our tables.”

Joyce cited the rent costs for the restaurant during the pandemic shutdown as his reason for closing. 

The restaurant’s physical location in the BNY Mellon building will shutter this month, but Executive Chef Simon DeJohn will continue to serve customer favorites at Eadie’s Market and will also launch The Carlton Catering Company for events.

From 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 27, the restaurant will host a “blowout wine sale and tasting event” — The Final Pour. The event is meant to liquidate the restaurant’s wine inventory and artwork, while offering guests and long-time servers an opportunity to say goodbye. Tickets are available in advance and at the door for $99/person and will include wine and hors d’oeuvres. 

At Eadie’s, DeJohn will continue to serve Carlton standards on the lunch menu and as well as  The Carlton’s Heat & Serve weeknight menu. He’ll also keep the fresh seafood and meat program, which offers cuts of meat and fish for home consumption. Executive Pastry Chef Jeff Julin, who has been with the company since 1982, will continue to provide cakes, pies and pastries from Eadie’s.  

“We hope our ongoing businesses can continue to be part of the fabric of the city of Pittsburgh,” Joyce said.

The Carlton Restaurant has been nationally recognized by Wine Spectator and has been a past winner and/or finalist over the years in Pittsburgh Magazine’s Readers’ Polls for Business Lunch, Wine List, Steak and Wait Staff categories.