· BREAKING SHUTTER REPORT: "Smith & Wollensky Restaurant Group Inc., an operator of upscale restaurants in New York and other cities, on Tuesday said it plans to close its Park Ave. Cafe restaurant in Manhattan on Jan. 1. The company said it was unable to negotiate a favorable lease renewal at the location, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing. Smith & Wollensky also plans to sell an adjacent property, called the Townhouse, which is used for private dining events." [Crain's]
· Snack has it that Grayz, once thought scrapped, might go after all: "Sources also say team Grayz now has the keys to the space and is moving full-steam ahead on the project. New opening is now slated for sometime spring 2007." [Snack]
· Despite serious talk about a new venue, Jean Luc has given up his space on the UWS. Cuozzo reports that it'll become a branch of the Vynl Diner. [NYP]
· We'll preface this Sascha Deathwatch update by saying that calls to the restaurant indicated that the downstairs would be open tonight, though not the more formal upstairs: "passing by Sascha with the girlfriend Monday evening at about 8. Noticed that although the tables were outside, there was nary a light, an open door, a drink being served, or the sighting of a living breathing being...you must get one of your sleuths on this...food was decent, and the pastries divine. how sad." [EaterWire/Inbox]
