Ensō , the Japanese-meets-Southern restaurant in Louisville's Clifton neighborhood, is closing, effective immediately.

Since opening in late 2023, the restaurant helmed by chef Lawrence Weeks at 1758 Frankfort Ave. has earned national praise, including landing on Yelp's 25 "Best New Restaurants in the South" list . Weeks was also named a 2024 James Beard Award semifinalist .

The sudden closure comes after Weeks' departure from Ensō and North of Bourbon , 935 Goss Ave., according to a statement shared with the Courier Journal from Ensō' owners Daniel Holyfield, Stacy Holyfield, and Eric Jennings.

"We are saddened to share the news of Chef Lawrence Weeks’ departure from Ensō and North of Bourbon. We thank Lawrence for his contributions and wish him all the best in his future e

See Full Page