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After carrying on a 25-year legacy of fine dining on Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard, the restaurant OK Omens is calling it quits. Monique Siu, the founder and owner, made the announcement early Saturday, Sept. 26 on social media.
“It is with a heavy yet grateful heart that I share the news of our upcoming closure. After 25 years of great food, wine, and incredible memories, I am officially wrapping up this chapter and heading into retirement,” Siu wrote.
The last day of service will be Oct. 17.
For many years, the restaurant was called Café Castagna, the more casual cousin of fine dining restaurant Castagna next door, which didn’t make it through the pandemic. Castagna holds a storied place in the Portland restaurant scene. First it specialized in Northern Italian cuisine under chef Matthew Lightner, then wowed diners with modernist fare during the reign of the late chef Justin Woodward.
Only weeks ago, WW food critic Michael Zusman called OK Omens one of the most exciting places to eat seafood in Portland thanks to its chef, Joseph Papas:
“Since taking the helm in late 2024, Papas has demonstrated an uncommon and delightful culinary aptitude,” Zusman wrote. “His special skill with creatures that swim and scuttle in the sea are now the sweet spot on a tight but terrific menu.”
Siu writes in the closing notice that when she opened Castagna and Café Castagna, the goal was to create a beautiful space serving exceptional food. OK Omens was the continuation of that vision. She thanked restaurant staff past and present, saying she is immensely proud of what they all built together.
“We are not saying goodbye just yet! We want to see you, so please pop in over the next few weeks, so we can thank you in person. Let’s raise a glass, we will be pouring some really fun and special bottles from the cellar, share some favorite memories, enjoy some of Joseph’s delicious food, and celebrate 25 great years.”
