Starker’s Restaurant on the Plaza closes

The Country Club Plaza's upscale Starker’s Restaurant has closed after more than four decades.

Dean Smith, general manager, said the restaurant closed Saturday night but declined to comment further. Two large moving vans were parked at the restaurant’s front door this morning.

The independently owned restaurant — overlooking the Plaza at the corner 47th and Wyandotte streets — was founded in 1972 by Cliff Bath. Bath sold Starker’s to his executive chef John McClure in October 2006. Starker’s had one of the region’s most extensive wine lists and received numerous awards from Wine Spectator Magazine.

The menu included almond crusted rainbow trout and fresh ground steak burgers stuffed with brown sugar bacon and Shatto dairy cheddar cheese curds, as well as a seasonal menu focusing on fresh, local ingredients.

McClure, a beloved figure in the local restaurant community, was planning another restaurant in Westport. But in October 2011 he committed suicide.

His parents were expected at Starker’s Restaurant later today.

Officials with Plaza landlord Highwoods Properties couldn’t be reached for comment.

This story was originally published September 30, 2013 at 11:07 AM with the headline "Starker’s Restaurant on the Plaza closes."