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It has become a familiar downtown Minneapolis story: Culinary entrepreneurs bravely try to revive the glorious art deco landmark that is the Forum Cafeteria. Sadly, the effort fails.

This time around, the restaurateurs were Josh Thoma, Kevin Fitzgerald and Jack Riebel, and the restaurant was dubbed Il Foro (Italian for "the forum").

Their 11-month-old effort, led by chef Joe Rolle, joins a fraternity of past tenants that includes the Forum, Mick's, the Paramount, Scottie's on Seventh and, most notably, Goodfellow's, which enjoyed a nine-year (1996-2005) run.

Since the Il Foro ownership wouldn't talk to the Star Tribune, I can only speculate on the demise. One guess? An ill-fated reliance on the large amount (four rooms) of private-dining real estate.

"We're excited about those opportunities," said Thoma in November 2014, when the project was announced. "Corporate spending is back, and there aren't that many places downtown that do a power lunch."

Perhaps that important side of the business didn't pan out as projected.

(Construction on the partnership's other project, the much awaited — and much delayed — remake of the Lexington in St. Paul, continues; they're now aiming for an autumn opening.)

It should be noted that of the four high-profile Italian restaurants to open in Minneapolis last year, only one — Monello — remains. Two (Il Foro, Parella) have closed, and one (Scena Tavern) is being rebranded and remodeled.

Still, don't discount the allure of Italian cooking. Three independently owned Italian restaurants — Mucci's, Italian Eatery and Z Italiano — have debuted in the past six months.

Now open

Jefe Urban Hacienda (219 SE. Main St., Mpls., ­jefeminneapolis.com) is up and running in the former St. Anthony Main Event Centre. The Mexican restaurant and bar ­­­(and riverfront patio) is the work of spouses Jeff Arundel and Amy Spartz, the co-owners of the nearby Aster Cafe.

Read full reviews and other restaurant news at startribune.com/dining.