Chef Michael Feker announced today in an e-mail that he will close his Il Mito restaurant, 605 W. Virginia St., this spring.

The Walker's Point dining spot opened in 2000. Feker has sinced opened and closed a location (Los Mitos) in the East Town neigborhood Downtown and now has Il Mito Trattoria and Enoteca in Wauwatosa.

Said Feker via e-mail, "Il Mito, our first child brought Maricela and I a great deal of joy, satisfaction and growth, but like the maturing of any child it is heart breaking to see your baby reach the age that it needs to move on. Yet it is satisfying when you see and know that you have been a good, consistent, passionate and loving parent." The message, that went to many loyal customers, continued saying, "We would like to personally thank you for making our first born a success. I hope you will come and visit us and let us feed your soul before closing this Spring. Come and taste the passion that you have supported for so many years."

The Iranian-born Feker trained in Europe before opening a restaurant also called Il Mito in Los Angeles. He opened the Milwaukee Il Mito, at the site of somewhat legendary Virginia's bar.