Shop Around: Chef Kristian Niemi sells Rosso

Chef Kristian Niemi announced in his monthly Bourbon restaurant and bar newsletter that he is no longer the owner of Rosso Trattoria Italia.

Niemi sold the Forest Acres restaurant “a few months ago,” he said, to Richard Couture.

“Long story short, my business partner is retiring and I am working on some other projects, and we met someone we felt comfortable with to carry on the high standards you’ve come to expect at Rosso, so we sold it to him a few months ago,” Niemi said in the newsletter. “He’s had years of hospitality experience and is eager to continue making Rosso one of the best restaurants in the state.”

Niemi opened Rosso in 2009, and it quickly became known for its seasonal menus featuring locally sourced meats and produce.

Niemi’s entrance onto Columbia’s dining scene began at The Blue Marlin, where he was the restaurant’s first general manager. From there, Niemi opened Mr. Friendly’s New Southern Cafe in Five Points in 1995 and then went on to open Gervais & Vine in the Vista. Niemi also opened Solstice Kitchen, Rosso and, in 2013, Bourbon whiskey bar and Cajun-Creole kitchen.

Travis Rayle, the Rosso chef hired by Niemi, will remain “at the helm of the Rosso kitchen,” Niemi said.

This story was originally published May 20, 2016 at 5:03 PM with the headline "Shop Around: Chef Kristian Niemi sells Rosso."