One of the Capital Region’s more forward-looking, fashionable restaurants, Midtown Sacramento’s Beast + Bounty, announced today it will permanently close its doors as of January 1.

“Despite years of financial challenges and a sincere effort to renegotiate our lease, we have reached an amicable agreement to part ways with Heller Pacific,” said owner Michael Hargis of the Ice Blocks developer.

When the restaurant on R Street opened in 2017, “It was with the dream of bringing Michelin-caliber quality to a neighborhood restaurant. We poured our hearts, souls and resources into this endeavor,” said Hargis, who also owns LowBrau Bierhalle in Midtown and the new Slow & Low in Elk Grove.

Beast + Bounty, with decor that blended rustic charm and upscale elegance, featured an open kitchen, hanging greenery and floor-to-ceiling windows that brought in natural light. It specialized in a fresh bounty of vegetables, including spiced carrots, roasted cauliflower and wood-fired Brussels sprouts. The meats were cooked on their wood-fire grill, from the popular half roasted chicken to the grass-fed New York steak.

“The response from the Sacramento community has been nothing short of extraordinary, culminating in our inclusion in the Michelin Guide, a recognition we’ll always cherish,” Hargis said.

The Michelin Guide first gave the restaurant a Michelin Plate, a recognition given to notable non-starred restaurants, starting in the 2021 California Guide. The Michelin website describes the restaurant’s food as “incredibly fresh, creative Californian fare.”

Hargis said that in the past few months, “We experienced some of the best services in our history. Under new kitchen leadership and with a front-of-house team that fully embraced the vision, magic was brought to life in our beautiful space. Their passion and dedication have made us immensely proud.”

In a statement provided exclusively to Comstock’s, Hargis wrote, “Hearing your compliments and receiving glowing reviews recently has been bittersweet, knowing we could not make the economics work in the end.”

Hargis characterized the mood at the restaurant as “heartbroken. Restaurants become like children, and Beast + Bounty was the one that demanded the most attention — a labor of love that made its triumphs all the sweeter. The restaurant industry is relentless, especially for those who pour their hearts into it. The razor-thin margins, mental and physical toll, and unwavering passion required are immense. This is, without question, the hardest decision we’ve ever had to make.”

Hargis extended an olive branch to his “fellow restaurateurs,” writing, “Where there was once competition, there is now deep admiration. We stand in awe of those who continue to operate at a high level and serve their communities with excellence.”

Saying that the closure “may be the end of an era for Beast + Bounty,” Hargis added “it marks the beginning of a new chapter. We remain grateful for every guest who walked through our doors, every memory made, and every opportunity to bring our vision to life here in Sacramento.”

Hargis said that he and his “Beast + Bounty Family” are looking forward “to continuing to serve you at LowBrau and are thrilled to share that we will soon announce an exciting new concept coming to the area. While nothing can replace Beast + Bounty, we’re eager to embrace what’s next.”

He concluded by thanking his customers “for being part of our journey.”

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