Papi Cuisine closes location in Baltimore's Federal Hill neighborhood

The high cost of doing business has forced another restaurant in Baltimore's Federal Hill out of business. Papi Cuisine has closed after 12 years in business, co-owner Alex Perez announced Tuesday in a social media video.

Papi Cusine descirbed itself as an "Afro-Latin Fusion restaurant." The restaurant's lease was set to expire in November.

Perez cited ongoing problems with "maintenance, plumbing, electrical, refrigeration and so on," saying the issues made operating in South Baltimore unsustainable.

The Papi Cuisine brand will continue, Perez said, noting he has been working for several years to expand its product line to national retailers.

Perez added that his personal focuses are now film and media, followed by hospitality ventures.

Perez's business partner, Berry Clark, told the Baltimore Banner the restaurant was sometimes forced to close "for weeks at a time" when the grease trap backed up.

A few weeks ago, the partners began forwarding reservations from Papi Cuisine to Proper Cuisine, a sister restaurant owned by Clark, according to the Banner.

Papi Cuisine began as a food delivery service before evolving into a private dining and catering company, according to its website. Perez developed the restaurant's unique style by blending techniques and flavors learned from his Dominican father and African American grandmother.

Wave of Baltimore restaurant closures

Papi Cuisine's shutdown comes amid a string of recent restaurant closures in Baltimore. Mother's Federal Hill Grille closed its flagship location in January after 27 years in business.

Banditos Tacos & Tequila closed its Federal Hill location in March after 14 years. The space was taken over by GameOn Bar+Arcade, which had recently closed its South Charles Street location while searching for a larger venue.

In Fells Point, Riptide seafood restaurant closed in January after six years in business, and Bondhouse Kitchen closed after four years.