Vegetarian Favorite Pukk Will Be Replaced by Spice on 1st Avenue

Vegetarian Thai favorite Pukk shut its doors last night after 11 years in the East Village, reports EV Grieve. There wasn't much warning for the shutter, but a sign posted in the window thanks customers for their "loyal business" over the years. Eater critic Robert Sietsema (back when he was the critic for the Voice), said: "In contrast to both the ho-hum vegetarian restaurants of the East Village and the mediocre Thai places found nearly everywhere else, Pukk is manna from heaven....Pukk's fake-duck salad ($4) is nothing short of miraculous."

The sign in the window adds that an outpost of Spice, the Thai mini-chain by the same owner, will move into the small space and open April 2.