Restaurateur Burt Rapoport had high hopes for his newest venture, Clematis Social, on bustling Clematis Street in downtown West Palm Beach.

Billed as a chic neighborhood restaurant, Rapoport designed a menu around affordable small plates that he thought would be popular with value-conscious diners. The timing seemed right, too, as Clematis Street entered its latest revival.

Rick Sheridan takes out a speaker at the former Clematis Social restaurant. With its affordable small plates, Burt Rapoport was optimistic about the venture when it opened in December in West Palm Beach, but he closed it in June. 'I have never seen such a softness in the restaurant business,' he said. (Chris Salata / The Post)

But on June 27, the celebrated restaurateur did the unthinkable: He closed Clematis Social after only six months.

“It’s been extremely frustrating,” Rapoport said. “I thought the menu was perfect for its time. It just never took off.”

If a veteran like Rapoport is finding the restaurant business tough sledding, other restaurant owners had better be bracing, too — especially as the region settles into its traditionally slow summer season.

“It’s going to be a long, hot summer,” said Bill Watson, an owner of West Palm Beach’s Big Time Restaurant Group, owner of City Oyster, City Cellar, Rocco’s Tacos and Grease Burger Bar restaurants.
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