Gallo Blanco leaving the Clarendon Hotel?

Gallo Blanco Cafe could leave the Clarendon Hotel in Phoenix after dinner service on Saturday, Jan. 31, The Republic has learned exclusively.

Doug and Denise Robson, who created the lauded restaurant's concept and menu, have "made a business decision to part ways with the Clarendon Hotel," Doug said.

Gallo Blanco opened inside the hotel in 2009. The couple had an operating agreement to oversee the Clarendon's food and beverage programs, which include the restaurant, catering, rooftop bar and poolside service, according to hotel owner-operator Ben Bethel.

Bethel said he and the Robsons, who own a company called DR Hospitality, have been negotiating terms of a new operating agreement. About two weeks ago, Bethel said, he received a letter from an attorney representing the Robsons saying they would cease work at Gallo Blanco on Jan. 31.

"I'm dumbfounded, actually," Bethel said. "We've been very successful over the years. It came to us kind of as a shock."

Robson confirmed the letter, but said the action was "as a result of an ongoing dispute for years with the hotel," adding he has offered to continue operations as usual until terms of a transition can be reached. Neither Robson nor Bethel disclosed details on the move, as advised by their attorneys.

"Gallo Blanco is the most successful thing I've ever done," Robson said. "It is extremely difficult for us to walk away from it."

The modern-Mexican restaurant is one of Republic restaurant critic Howard Seftel's top 10 hotel restaurants in metro Phoenix.

The timing is bad for the hotel, Bethel said. Jan. 31 is the night before the Super Bowl XLIX, the days before which have bumped room rates to $1,000 to $2,500 a night with a three-night minimum stay.

Bethel seemed confident that the dining room would be open on Super Bowl Sunday. He also said the restaurant's 65 staff members, who are employees of the hotel, will keep their positions and pay.

Robson is hoping for an "amicable" split. "What we want to do is make sure both brands are not tarnished," he said.

The Robsons also run a standalone Phoenix restaurant, Otro Cafe, on Seventh Street north of Bethany Home Road.

Details: Gallo Blanco Cafe, Clarendon Hotel, 401 W. Clarendon Ave., Phoenix. 602-274-4774, galloblancocafe.com.