Mackay Restaurants has closed its Tacoma seafood operation, known as Sea Grill. It was the sister restaurant to Seattle's Waterfront Seafood Grill on Pier 70. A polite press release thanks Sea Grill's guests for their support and for "allowing us to help celebrate the pivotal moments and chapters of their lives." But memories don't pay the bills, and large, downtown restaurants like Sea Grill are particularly vulnerable to the current downturn. (Mackay's new El Gaucho Bellevue is hurting, too, but will do fine once Microsoft moves into the building.) A well-run chain like Mackay pays attention to every detail, from the cost of a napkin to the knot on the servers' bow ties; you can bet they know down to the penny how much they're making (or losing) on a daily basis, and they're unsentimental when it comes time to pull the plug. more ›

Nightlife maven Linda Derschang (left) partners with Ericka Burke for new all-day venture. more ›

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