The venerated Italian eatery on SE Belmont will be closing its doors on Nov. 22nd. Karen Brooks of the Oregonian reports that owner, Kerry DuBuse, has decided that they cannot survive the economic downturn:

"I've seen serious recessions over the decades at Genoa," DuBuse told The Oregonian, "but nothing to compare to the economic meltdown in which we now find ourselves. We cannot continue as an economically viable business."

The 38 year old restaurant was a heavy hitter when Portland was wallowing in a dismal food scene, but Brooks suggests Genoa was just not nimble enough to compete with smaller, energetic neighborhood eateries.

The old, formal granddaddy of Italian dining in Portland will be missed. If only because it was a bit of Portland's culinary history.