Korean eatery in downtown Hamilton is closed for renovations

A restaurant in downtown Hamilton that is well-regarded for traditional Korean dishes is changing its look for its 10-year location.

The Famous Owl of Minerva location, tucked away on Main St. E. between Victoria Ave. and Wellington St., has paused operations. Hand-lettered signs in the window indicate that Minerva is “temporarily closed for renovations.” A re-opening date has not been posted.

The casual chain has several restaurants in Southern Ontario, and established the location at 309 Main St. E. in the fall of 2013, which is nearly a decade ago. Minerva is known for sizable portions and prompt delivery, and is traditionally open from 11 a.m. till 11 p.m. seven days a week.

The restaurant’s name is an homage to a famous quote from the late-18th and early 19th-century German philosopher Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel that has been taken to mean philosophy comes to understand a way of life just before it expires. The full passage is, “The owl of Minerva spreads its wings only with the falling of the dusk.”

Downtown Hamilton has a number of Korean restaurants. Those include Ajio Sushi Korean & Japanese Restaurant (King St. E.), Chicken Plus (Wilson St., at James N.), Korea House (Cannon St. E.) and Social Lounge (King St. E.).