Cassis Restaurant and Wine Bar, Chef George Mavrothalassitis' casual French bistro in the former Palomino location at Queen and Bethel streets, has closed.

The James Beard Award-winning chef, who continues to operate his widely acclaimed fine dining restaurant, Chef Mavro, on McCully and South King streets, said in a release today that "the downtown space of over 13,000 square feet was way too big for what I love to do."

Operations ceased after service Saturday night.

The restaurant closed just short of its first anniversary, which would have been April 30. Chef-owner Mavrothalassitis described the decision to close as "very sad for us all," but said he would turn his attention to the 10th anniversary of Chef Mavro.

Reach Wanda A. Adams at wadams@honoluluadvertiser.com.