Buzz: Closed Archives
The Shutter: Hunters, Rene Pujol, and Kin Khao
At the end of a shuttery week, we have a round up of some of the stragglers who are no more. We are here for you if you know of any more.
1) Upper East Side: We received two tips about this one so it must be true. The most colorful piece in the inbox, subject 'Hunters Closed After 30 Years!!!' says this: "The UES staple of good food and conviviality plus the roaring fireplace was shut down Valentines night with zero notice to the long standing staff and hard working chef. These employees, the manager was there 15 years and the kitchen staff are not only out of work but out of money to further line the gold laden pockets of Mr DOUBLE Crossfield...I hope his investment is plagued with disaster after disaster..." [Shutter Inbox]
2) Midtown West: The shuttering of Rene Pujol, another popular one, has been widely covered in the blogs. Again, an excerpt from our most compelling tip: "Rene Pujol (51st bet. 8th/9th), one of the old-school French restaurants that, like many others of its ilk, struggled to find its place in this age of knives-hanging-from-the-ceiling restaurants, has closed. I am representing the restaurant's current ownership to sell the lease. It has 12 yrs remaining and is a significantly below market rent. Bring on the swords!" [Shutter Inbox]
3) Soho: On the answering machine of Soho thai restaurant Kin Khao: "After 16 years Kin Khao has lost its lease...our kitchen staff, and our entire floor staff will be relocating to Kelly and Ping on 127 Greene St." [Shutter Inbox]
ShutterWire: Will Riverdale Garden Become a Restaurant Miracle?
The Riverdale Garden Restaurant, a place that, though you may have never heard of it, is a staple in the Bronx for its locally sourced and daily changing menu, closed on Sunday to the horror of regulars. It was a husband and wife, the bills got too high, the landlord wouldn't let them sell to their buyer—typical sob story. But here is where the similarities to all the other poor saps who have shuttered end and where the real magic begins. Owners Michael and Lisa Sherman, who have worked at Aureole (him) and Lespinasse (both of them) sent out an email blast asking regulars to pledge $5,000 per couple in exchange for a year of free dinners:
"Bottom line is we have 12 couples so far ready to invest $5000 in dining credits, however we need 38 more. We are far from our goal, but are hopeful still...Approximately $100,000 of the money will go to the landlord to secure a 7 year lease and $50,000 of the money will go to the frontage of the building .......an awning and French doors ( and likely a sidewalk cafe). The other hundred thousand will be utilized for working capital. If by chance we can make a profit, profit sharing with our "investors" will be discussed."Find out the response next. >>
The Shutter: Mary Ann's Tearful Signage, Sea Salt, Cafe La Fortuna
Because just one shutter/teary signage sighting won't cut it after the long holiday weekend, here a few more sob stories to share.
1) Upper West Side: A tipster writes this: "Mary Ann's on Broadway has closed; a notice on the door states that they could not agree on a lease extension with the landlord." But that's not all the notice (right) says. It gets a little sadder, darker on the second paragraph: "We would have loved to have said goodbye to everyone individually, but time did not permit since we were hoping for a last minute resolution..." [Shutter Inbox]
2) East Village: Now here's a surprise shutter coming in just seven months after Sea Salt's buzzed about early July opening date. From the inbox: "Walking through the East Village on Saturday night about 9pm I saw that the newish Turkish place Sea Salt on Second Ave was all quiet. Closed and dark on a Saturday night? Not good. I wonder what the deal is -- do you know?" Well if the disconnected phone and perpetually empty space are signs, this alleged shutter looks viable. [Shutter Inbox]
3) Upper West Side: Another UWS shutter via the inbox: "Cafe La Fortuna, the 'oldest cafe on the West Side,' will close in the next week to ten days, according to a staffer who cited an increase in rent." [Shutter Inbox]
Eater Photo Pool/Eating In Translation
Teary Shutter Signage: Cocotte
Eater Pool/Food_in_Mouth
It's been awhile since we've seen any action on the teary signage front, but today we find solace in the somewhat weepy sign at the shuttered Cocotte in Park Slope. The French restaurant, while marginal on the grander scheme of New York dining, did seem to have a faithful brunch following and more than a few fans of its "farmhouse vibe." But nevertheless, place has closed for reasons undisclosed, and the note, while sentimental, does not give hints as to what the owners plan to do next.
· Teary Shutter Signage Encore: Frank's Cries Itself a River [~E~]
· The Shutter Trendwatch: Teary Shutter Signage [~E~]
The Shutter: Rialto, Sur, and the Famous Salerno's!
At the end of a fairly shutter-free week, we have a roundup of the most recent restaurants that have met their most certain demise. Know of any others? We're here for you.
1) Nolita: We received a note yesterday about the shuttering of longtime Nolita Italian joint, Rialto: "Is Nolita pioneer Rialto a piece of history? The restaurant has been boarded up since the beginning of the year. A sign said that it was reopening on February 4 has been ripped down. No one answers the phone, and the voice mail says it is too full to take any new messages. Restaurants come and go in Nolita, but Rialto's been around since the mid-1990s. No more, alas." [Shutter Inbox]
2) Cobble Hill: We got two tips this week about the often empty and now shuttered Cobble Hill spot Sur. Sayeth the first: "I walked by the restaurant Sur on Saturday (Smith St. and Butler St.), and saw it was shuttered & empty on the inside. I ate there with a friend on a Friday night about a year ago, and we were the only people dining...Surprised the place lasted as long as it did." And then a spot check made yesterday reveals someone has already taken over: "...walked by last night and saw a pop-up valentine's store (sorry, no flicks, but neon cardboard signs hawking "valentine day baskets for your sweetheart") doing a poor job of masking a gutted space..." [Shutter Inbox]
3) Richmond Hill: Queens Crap reports that institution, favorite of Bobby Kennedy, and location for Goodfellas Salerno's is shuttered for renovations, but the post and the comments imply it won't be opening up again: "I was recently informed by my doctor in the area that Salerno's has closed. They have had a "closed renovations" sign in the window for a few weeks now. He is usually a pretty reliable source for neighborhood events, so perhaps you know someone who can confirm this? If this is true, I think Eastern Richmond Hill officially qualifies as a slum now." [Queens Crap via Lost City]
The Shutter: El Portal, Jodie's Friends
It's a shuttery end to a shuttery week. Coming up next, Plywood Mania; now, the last of this week's closures. Know of a place that has met their demise? Let us know, yes?.
1) Lower East Side: A tipster emails: "I'm pretty sure El Portal on Allen Street has closed I walked by the other day and it was shuttered, and when I called the number, it was disconnected. Really a shame - they had great burritos." NB, this El Portal is not in any way related to the Elizabeth St. staple Cafe El Portal. [Shutter Inbox]
2) Central Village: Another tipster writes in: "Walked by Jodie's Friends on 8th Street earlier this week. Windows were covered with paper on inside. Phone has been disconnected. Pretty sure this restaurant opened in October 2007 (which you covered). It looked like they spent a good deal on interior design. While certainly not a record, less than 5 months of operations has to be in top 20. Looks like 8th Street, while certainly improved, is not for the weak of wallet (or patience)." [Shutter Inbox; previously]
3) West Village: Zagat Buzz reported of Absolutely 4th on West 4th Street lost their lease and closed. [Zagat Buzz]
4) Chinatown: Chinatown spot Almond Flower Bistro, known for its innovative former chef Chris Cheun, also shuttered this week. [Zagat Buzz]
The Shutter: Palacinka, Kinoko Finished
1) Soho: Palacinka, a Soho favorite for brunch and crepes, is officially shuttered as of last Sunday. The almost tearful sign on the door (see photo) tells customers of the standard lease renewal woes, and to check out sister restaurant Bar Bossa. Our Palacinka regular writes in, "You bastards! Where am I going to eat brunch after 4pm now?" [Shutter Inbox]
2) Upper West Side: From the inbox: "Kinoko, the all you can eat sushi joint (great price but you get what you pay for) on West 72nd Street (just East of Amsterdam) is closed 'for renovations?'"[Shutter Inbox]
The Shutter: Second St. Café, San Luigi, Blair Parrone, &c.
On a gray afternoon, gray news in the form of The Shutter, our regular report on restaurant and bar closings around town.
1) Park Slope: A tipster emails, "Beloved writer hangout and Park Slope plaid shirt hangout Second St. Cafe (right) was closed on Saturday and its windows were covered in the same paper used as table coverings (and crayon medium for young slopers). What goes?" Gowanus Lounge confirms the closing and has the neighborhood react. [Shutter Inbox]
2) Upper West Side: Another tipster: San Luigi on UWS closed. Paper over all the windows. Says it's closed for renovations, but it just opened about a year ago, so that seems unlikely." Though the website is still up, calls to the venue were met with the dread "number not in service at this time." [Shutter Inbox]
3) Midtown East: Yet another beloved tipster reports that East 40's meatery Blair Parrone Steakhouse is doneski. Calls to the venue have been met with an interminable busy signal—which is either a good sign, or a really, really bad one. [Shutter Inbox]
4) Gramercy: The 18th Street outpost of Pongsri Thai "seems to have bit the dust a/o this past sat," per our fourth and final tipster of this afternoon. [Shutter Inbox]
The Shutter: Hell's Kitchen Carnage, Nicole's, Chain Gang Collapse, Hookah House, Sapodilla
The Shutter reports on restaurant and bar closings around town. We invite tales of destruction in your neighborhood to tips@eater.com. Godspeed to the departed.
1) Hell's Kitchen: Attention restaurateurs. Hell's Kitchen is still a dicey neighborhood to make a go of things in, so if you can't stand the heat, etc. Via the lens of photoblogger WhatISee, evidence of two recent shutterings in the nabe. At left, Japanese eatery Raku; At right, Xing, which looked set to shutter last spring but held on until just before the new year. And, from another tipster, word of one more closing: "Pozzo's Bakery Hell's Kitchen. Does Eater have any clue as to why it closed?" [WhatISee]
2) Upper East Side: Racked had the story of the closing of the Nicole Farhi store on East 60th Street late last year, so it's no huge surprise to report that Nicole's, the surprisingly buzzworthy restaurant in the store has closed as well. Confirms a tipster, "Just walked by Nicole's restaurant on E 60th and restaurant and store are closed. There's a little note on the door saying that they closed as of 12/30/07. Restaurant and store are now empty." [Shutter Inbox]
3) Chelsea: What does it say about the state of the economy when a Ben & Jerry's outpost closes? Perhaps not as much as it says about the general shitshow that continues to be that little thoroughfare we call West 23rd Street. [Crazy Fingers]
4) East Village: Speaking of chains, this reader tip: "the subway (eat fresh! not mta) closed on 1st ave and 14th street, as did the GNC that was right next door. renovations have already begun... fingers crossed it's not a starbucks." [Shutter Inbox]
Ahead: more East Village shuttering, plus a Smith Street farewell. >>Pies-n-Thighs, Last Call
Kalina, 1/16/08
Above, the line last night at Williamsburg's Pies 'n' Thighs, where a grand farewell party was taking place. It is closing on the heels of a run-in with the department of health and some subsequent shell shock from the incident. The Kalina, man of few words and many photos, said, "there was a line stretching to the corner. this place will be missed." While the owners look for a new location, your eulogies will be accepted in the comments.
· BREAKING: Dept. of Health Wins, Pies 'n' Thighs Closing Tomorrow [~E~]
BREAKING: Dept. of Health Wins, Pies 'n' Thighs Closing Tomorrow
Peter Meehan, making a rare but dramatic appearance on the Bruniblog, reports that Williamsburg barbecue darling Pies 'n' Thighs will close tomorrow. In November, the joint had a nasty run-in with the Department of Health, forcing them to shut down their illegal smoker. This, Meehan notes, led to today's news:
Continue reading "BREAKING: Dept. of Health Wins, Pies 'n' Thighs Closing Tomorrow"The Shutter: PM Calls it a Night
While the Meatpacking club PM is currently serving a month-long suspension of their liquor license, word comes in today that closure of the club may be significantly more final. From a reliable inbox source:
The club once manned by brothers Kyky and Unik is no longer. Rumor has it that Kyky, Unik and Dimitri were bought out by major partner Adam Hock of Pure Nightclub in Las Vegas fame and of Hawaiian Tropic Zone in Midtown. The club phone number is being manned by a women saying "50 Ganesvoort" and she states upfront that she is strictly taking messages and forwarding them on to the powers that be. Looks to me like the club just skated through xmas and owes alot of people money.· Liquor Authority Shuts Down PM Lounge [~E~]
Back to top
About Eater
From the newest temples of haute cuisine to the oldest dive bars in New York, from Batali to McNally, Eater has you covered. More about Eater...
Tipping Is Customary
Know about a restaurant opening or closing in your neighborhood, or other NYC restaurant gossip? Do let us know.
Restaurant Search
Archives & Feeds
Full-Content FeedContact Us
Email Eater
|
EATER
Editor
Amanda Kludt
Associate Editor
Leslie Price
Contributors
William Tigertt
David Chang
Eater Radar Editor
Kelly Dobkin
Photographer
Noah Kalina
Banner Design
Khoi Uong
Editors-in-Chief
Ben Leventhal
Lockhart Steele
