Gracie's Chef Ousted

Things must get worse before they get better. Just weeks after Gracie's owner Greg Schillinger was evicted by hotel management, Gracie's Executive Chef Scott Shampine has been let go, according to insider sources in the professional eating world. This comes just months after Shampine's $22 Kobe beef and foie gras burger placed him among Portland's sandwich elite.

Gracie's has been on a downward slide for several months--and by all accounts--the ship was already half-sunk when Shampine came aboard in January from Olea. According to management, Shampine had trouble getting the ingredients he needed because vendors would not accept checks from owner Schillinger. At one point, vendors were being paid in cash.

The former site of the Mallory Hotel and Restaurant, Gracie's and the dimly lit watering hole The Driftwood Room occupy a nostalgic place in Portland's history, and few restaurant spaces in town have more ambiance and potential. Gracie's has one of the city's better wine stewards in manager Rob Boss. Hopefully things will turn around.