Both Savannahs Close, David Wilhelm Files Chapter 11

Savannah in Burbank

We were sort of tipped off to this early by a commenter (sorry, dude, it wasn't the right place for it), but it's now confirmed: Citing the economic downturn as the reason, chef David Wilhelm shuttered three restaurants today---including Savannah in Burbank and Westfield Century City mall---and filed for Chapter 11 protection. The two local Savannah's started off as French 75 Bistros but both became the Southern-inspired restaurant in February. Not to say people didn't go, but we can see how these were probably under-performers: The Burbank location was right next to Morton's, more of a no-brainer for the Warner Bros. workers next door, and Century City was tucked in an odd corner of the mall and has a lot of competition. Now a minority shareholder in Culinary Adventures, the company he started in 1997, Wilhelm resigned this week. Several of his Orange County restaurants will remain open, including Savannah in Costa Mesa, Laguna Niguel and Huntington Beach.
· Chic O.C. dining chain files bankruptcy [OC Register]
· EaterWire: The French 75/Savannah Switcheroo [~ELA~]