Bar Blanc Bistro Closed for the Foreseeable Future

Last week, a tipster wrote in revealing that West Village restaurant Bar Blanc Bistro was closing on Saturday. And sure enough, a walk by this afternoon revealed a dark room and an empty menu box outside.

Following a revamp last year wherein then-chef Cesar Ramirez left for Brooklyn, the restaurant emerged with "Bistro" tacked onto its name and a new energy in the kitchen thanks to the talented, young Sebastian Zijp. But perhaps it wasn't enough. A call inquiring about the restaurant's status earlier in the day yielded a curt response of "yes, we're closed", though when confronted in person, a solemn-faced Didier Palange (co-owner with Kiwon Standen) insisted that they're merely "closed for renovations." Neighbors have rumored to Eater that they are looking into reopening at 41 Greenwich Street, a notion the owners have consistently denied.

Update: An official response from the restaurant: "Bar Blanc Bistro has closed for renovations. Chef Sebastiaan Zijp has left to pursue other opportunities and the restaurant will reopen in the fall with a new name, chef, design and menu."
—Zachary Feldman
· Is the End Finally Approaching for Bar Blanc Bistro? [~ENY~]