Catch & Release Closes in Marina Del Rey, Will Reconcept as Casual Italian Spot

After less than one full year of service, it looks as though Jason Neroni’s Catch & Release in Marina del Rey will close. A call to the restaurant a few minutes ago confirms the shutter.

Born out of the ashes of the former Paiche space on Maxella Avenue, the bright and airy seafood spot featured chef Neroni’s East Coast-influenced cooking, though apparently it never much caught on with the surrounding locals. Instead, Sprout restaurant group behind the project says there will be a change of concept for the place, with no firm timetable on when that switcheroo will happen. It's important to note, too, that this is the first Sprout restaurant to close since the departure of founder Bill Chait.

Next up will apparently be an Italian offering at the address, which perhaps plays more in line with Neroni’s chosen brand of cooking. Calling the eventual (and unnamed) newcomer an "approachable community restaurant", the plan is to offer takeout, delivery, and dine-in food in a casual environment. That means pizzas, pastas, salads, and the like.

Yesterday was the final day of service at Catch & Release, though staff on the phone were quick to point people to Neroni’s latest passion project: The Rose in Venice, which is opening for dinner as of this weekend.