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Blanca, Roberta’s once Michelin-rated restaurant, is abruptly closing.
Chef Victoria Blamey announced the closure on her Instagram. “I have shocking and sad news to share,” she said. “Blanca has lost its lease and we will have to vacate the building within weeks. Our last service will be Saturday, April 12th.”
"After twelve incredible years, we are saddened to share that Blanca has lost its lease," an official rep at Blanca's said to Time Out New York. "Our last day of service will be April 12. We are so grateful to our staff, guests, and the community who made this space so much more than just a restaurant. It has been filled with energy, creativity, and unforgettable moments—and for that, we’re endlessly thankful. We are excited to continue creating wonderful experiences at Roberta's and Foul Witch."
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For over ten years, Blanca has been a lovely hidden find in Bushwick. Tucked inside Roberta’s—guests enter off of the pizza restaurant’s patio—the minimalist tasting counter has reaped plenty of awards in its day, including one star from the Michelin Guide and two stars from Pete Wells of The New York Times in 2012.
After a long hiatus due to the pandemic, the kitchen reopened in 2024 with chef Victoria Blamey at the head, who brought her Chilean heritage to the counter with sweet crab empanadas and a chicharron dotted bread, known as tortilla de rescoldo, puffed and charred in Roberta’s wood-fired oven. Wells returned last year and awarded the restaurant another star and listed it as his number two spot on the publication's yearly list, “The 100 Best Restaurants in New York City in 2024.”
As for what is next for Chef Blamey, she told the New York Times that she may have to look for work outside of New York. “I think I’m a very flexible person that has learned to pivot many times,” she said to the publication. “Maybe I have to open my horizons to something not in New York.”
But as for her time at Blanca, she gave thanks to her supporters and her team.
“It’s been a year and 5 months in this space, running, working, creating… showing and sharing what I had to offer in this room, like no other. Thank you to all the supporters for the kindness and the thoughtfulness. To my cooks, you guys rocked it out. We will go out with a bang 💜”