After more than 20 years of operation, Mediterraneo will be closing its doors at the end of the month.

Mediterraneo was one of the few "Italian" restaurants in town helmed by an individual of Italian ancestry, and owner Fabrizio Favale will be taking some time off to revisit the motherland, in particular Rome, where he grew up.

The chef-owner has a loose plan to return to Hawaii and open a new restaurant in a more heavily trafficked spot, and I’d like to hold him to that, but he has no set time frame in mind. Until then, if you want to catch the last bites of his home-style dishes, make those reservations now.

For those who’ve never been there, one dish not to be missed is his oxtail osso buco.

Arrivederci, Fabrizio, and hope to see you soon in a new location.

Mediterraneo is at 1279 S. King St. between Birch and Cedar streets. Call 593-1466.