Ventura’s on James North will become Rapscallion and Two Black Sheep

In more disappointing news of closures on James North, Ventura’s Signature Restaurant has officially announced that it has closed its doors.

The well-worn and well-loved rustic eatery has been a staple of James Street North since 1988, serving up fine old-world Portuguese fare to hungry Hamiltonians in a setting that brings to mind the inside of a seafaring ship.

Ventura’s closure is one of many recent ones in the James North community, including Artword Artbar and Zyla’s Music & Menu. It seems many of the original establishments that began to define James North as an arts and culinary hub of Hamilton are fading off quickly after being priced out of their rent or simply readying themselves for a deserved retirement.

Ventura's on James North is closing and Matt Kershaw just announced @rapscallionRest & Two Black Sheep are opening in this spot! #HamOnt pic.twitter.com/3O2SiaYLkn

— The Generator (@TheGeneratorCa) November 28, 2019

Luckily, some good news comes out of all of this as well; as Ventura’s vacates their sizeable space, the building will change hands to local restaurant group The Other Bird and will host revived iterations of Rapscallion and Two Black Sheep; two gone-but-not-forgotten Other Bird favourites that Hamiltonians will be thrilled to see return as part of James North’s community.

The Other Bird chef Matt Kershaw made the announcement at a media event within the new Westinghouse HQ on Thursday, November 28th. As of now, no specific opening dates have been set for the new pair of restaurants.

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• closure
• Hamilton
• HamOnt
• hamont eats
• James North
• Rapscallion
• Restaurant
• the other bird
• Two Black Sheep
• Ventura's