Casablanca Closes After Over 50 Years in Harvard Square

A Harvard Square icon is no longer now that Casablanca has shut its doors. The Brattle Street landmark began its life as a bar in 1955 before becoming a full blown restaurant in 1997, according to the official website. Casablanca gave notice of its impending closure back in July and had since then pushed the closing date back from August to September to the end of this year. But now Boston Restaurant Talk reports that the restaurant closed on December 21, and a call to Casablanca confirms that it didn't quite make it to 2013: a voicemail for the restaurant declares "We are officially closed forever." Many Boston area chefs had a turn in the kitchen here, including Ana Sortun, who is now opening her third restaurant and who previously served as executive chef. Rumor has it that Dante and Il Casale chef-owner Dante DeMagistris might take over: stay tuned for updates and hit up the tipline with any of your own.

And feel free to share any Casablanca memories in the comments or via email.

Update: Michael Scelfo of Russell House Tavern will be opening a new restaurant in the Casablanca space.

· Casablanca [Official Site]
· Casablanca in Cambridge's Harvard Square is closing [BRT]
· Ana Sortun to open her third restaurant at The Paddock [~EBOS~]
· The Casablanca is finally, actually closed [GS]
· All coverage of Casablanca on Eater [~EBOS~]