NEWPORT BEACH

The doors to Sid’s Steakhouse in Newport Beach closed abruptly this week, and owner-turned-fugitive Sid Soffer says it had nothing to do with the 27 health code violations filed in May against the popular restaurant.

The closure was brought on by staffing problems, said Soffer, who manages the restaurant from Las Vegas. He said the restaurant was shut down because it had become too difficult to manage employees from so far away.

Soffer said he has received some offers on the restaurant, but has yet to decide whether to sell it.

Soffer fled to Las Vegas five years ago to avoid an arrest warrant filed against him for failing to appear in court to face charges of building code violations at several of his Costa Mesa properties.