51 Lincoln Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

NEWTON, MA - Local hotspot 51 Lincoln has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

The restaurant's owner, Jeff Fournier, told Boston.com the move may come as a surprise to its loyal diners, but a number of outside factors, including an influx of new eateries in the Boston area and the rising cost of running a small restaurant, have made it increasingly difficult to run a small restaurant.

Fournier also said that he does not plan on closing 51 Lincoln, which has received numerous accolades from critics during its nine-year tenure.

The decision comes a week after he closed Waban Kitchen in Newton, but Fournier told Boston.com that he did not factor the two moves into one another.

The upscale Newton Highlands dining spot offers a constantly evolving menu, rooted in American-style staples.