Ciano Abruptly Shutters With Plans to Relocate

Two-and-a-half-year-old Flatiron District Italian restaurant Ciano has shuttered. The phone line is dead, the restaurant is no longer accepting reservations on OpenTable, and it was not open for lunch service today. This afternoon, the management Tweeted: "We are moving Ciano to a new space on the UES and re opening in July 2013 ! Space is amazing! Keep everyone posted." Although Ciano got strong reviews when it opened, the buzz died down quickly. For years, it offered one of New York's best fancypants lunch deals.

Sources close to the restaurant whisper to Eater that chef/co-owner Shea Gallante left Ciano earlier this month, although a manager at the restaurant vehemently denied this on Friday evening, saying that Gallante was in the kitchen as recently as Thursday night. Word on the street is that the staff was not told about the impending shuttering of the restaurant, and that it closed after service on Friday evening. Eater has reached out to Gallante, but there's still no word yet on his future plans.
· @Cianonyc [Twitter]
· All Coverage of Ciano [~ENY~]