Most shocking restaurant closings in metro Phoenix 2014

This year wasn't especially kind to some of metro Phoenix's longtime restaurants. We said goodbye to a slew of venerable kitchens, as well as a few newbies-but-goodies that didn't last long. Here are some of the doors we're saddest to see close.

Searsucker

After being open for a little more than a year, the Scottsdale branch of Searsucker closed in January. The gastropub on Camelback Road and Goldwater Boulevard was co-owned by Brian Malarkey, a "Top Chef" finalist in 2009 and one-season judge on ABC's "The Taste" competition.

Portland's Restaurant & Wine Bar

This central Phoenix restaurant served comfort American cuisine paired with libations for more than a decade. It closed in February. The owners now operate a similar concept called Oven+Vine at 14 W. Vernon Ave., Phoenix. In January, Fez, a popular Midcentury Modern restaurant with a Mediterranean-leaning menu, will move into the old Portland's space.

Espo's Mexican Food

After 40 years, Espo's Mexican Food in Chandler closed in early 2014. The restaurant started as an extension of a family-owned market called Espinoza's Food Center on Chandler Boulevard just east of McClintock Drive. It served tamales, bean-and-cheese burritos and combo plates to generations of southeast Valley diners.

Karsh's Bakery

Customers lined up out the doors when they heard this nearly 50-year-old bakery at Seventh Street near Missouri Avenue in Phoenix was closing in March. Karsh's was known for its handmade challah and rye breads, kaiser rolls and Jewish pastries. It was one of a handful of bakeries supervised by the Phoenix Vaad HaKashruth, an Orthodox non-profit that oversees kosher certification.

Havana Cafe

Chef/owner BJ Hernandez and her late husband, Gilbert, opened Havana Cafe in 1989 at Camelback Road and 44th Street in Phoenix. It closed in April because the property is being replaced with a new concept from LGO Hospitality. Hernandez's Scottsdale restaurant, Havana Patio Cafe, remains open at 6245 E. Bell Road.

Bill Johnson's Big Apple Restaurant

The Van Buren Street branch of Bill Johnson's Big Apple Restaurant in Phoenix was the first. Now, it's the last. The Western-themed steakhouse closed its north Phoenix spot at 19th Avenue and Bell Road in April and its Mesa location near Main Street and Stapley Drive in May. The nearly 60-year-old brand serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and sources its ingredients from such local companies as Hickman's Family Farms, Grand Avenue Produce Co. and Mrs. Klein's Pickle Co.

Mabel's on Main

The downtown Scottsdale mid-20th-century New York speakeasy developed by Aaron May closed in August. Very soon after, a new concept called the Beverly opened in its place. The Beverly is owned by Genuine Concepts, the restaurant group behind the Vig and Little Woody. The company kept Mabel's dark wood and leather furnishings but added a patio. The pub fare features ahi sliders, a Green Eggs and Ham flatbread, fish and chips, fried chicken and burgers.

Mary Coyle Ol' Fashion Ice Cream Parlor

Opened in 1951, this ice-cream parlor near Seventh and Missouri avenues in Phoenix served heaping bowls of ice cream topped with whipped cream and a cherry to generations of Arizonans. It closed at the end of September because owner Mike Stoffey said he couldn't sell enough ice cream to pay for the expensive lease. Stoffey, a Phoenix resident and longtime customer, bought the business in 2011.

The Local

This upscale urban restaurant from chef Chris McKinley, formerly of Atlas Bistro, and general manager Adam Hargett, formerly of Merc Bar, closed in October, not even six months after opening. Summer business was slower than anticipated, Hargett said. In November, Paz Cantina took over the space at Roosevelt and Third streets in downtown Phoenix. The taqueria is the work of a group of dining-industry veterans: chefs Michael Reyes (Pure Sushi, the Compound Grill, Otro Cafe), Brian Webb (Hey, Joe! food truck) and Joseph Aguayo (Verde, which is closed). Look for street tacos and tortas filled with chicken al pastor, pork belly, shrimp and carne asada.

Noca

In October, after an acclaimed six-year run, owner Eliot Wexler officially closed his restaurant at Camelback Road and 32nd Street in Phoenix. He is now focused on expanding Nocawich, a sandwich concept he originally developed for Noca's lunch hour. A new storefront is expected to open in downtown Tempe by the end of the year.

Rancho de Tia Rosa

This popular Mesa restaurant, which opened in 2001, closed in October. The Sirrine family, the owners, were not able to complete a new lease agreement. They hope to reopen elsewhere next year. The Gilbert branch, at Higley and Guadalupe roads, remains open. Rosa's Mexican Grill, a different Mexican restaurant with a similar name, will take over the Mesa space at 3129 E. McKellips Road.

Le Chalet

This charming Glendale restaurant known for Swiss fondue and French crepes closed in October. Swiss-born owner Alain Keller said he couldn't reach a new lease agreement with the shopping center's landlord. Keller is looking at two spaces nearby. He said he is also open to taking on investors.

Monti's La Casa Vieja

Nearly 60 years old, this iconic steakhouse was Tempe's oldest restaurant. Housed in the historical Hayden House on Mill Avenue, Monti's shuttered in November. The house, where Arizona politician Carl Hayden was born in 1877, will be preserved and incorporated into the high-rise tower development planned for the site at Mill Avenue and Rio Salado Parkway.

The Lodge

Developed by chef Aaron May, this Scottsdale hangout was known for its woodsy atmosphere and massive Sasquatch Burger. It closed in November but will reopen in Tempe, in the former Sail Inn property at 26 S. Farmer Ave. That's across from the Farmer Arts District, Fox Restaurant Concepts' new complex, housing Culinary Dropout and Madison Improvement Club.

Petite Maison

In November, chef/owner James Porter closed his French restaurant after five years in Scottsdale. Just weeks later, a group of investors reopened the space as the Upton, a contemporary American kitchen. Porter's sous chef, Chris Schlattman, is running the kitchen at the Upton, 7216 E. Shoeman Lane. Look for dishes like Chinese char siu ribs with smoked peanuts and cilantro pesto; and Southern fried picnic chicken with house pickles and local amber honey.