Cherry Izakaya in Williamsburg Closes, Following Sushi Hotspot Cherry's Demise Last Year

The swanky Cherry restaurants have officially ended their tenure with Cherry Izakaya's closure in Williamsburg. The restaurant at 138 North 8th St. shut its doors last month and hasn't paid rent in about two months, according to the building's manager. Cherry Izakaya's original restaurant, Dream Hotel Downtown sushi hotspot Cherry, closed about six months ago, according to an employee at the hotel.

BondSt restaurateur Jonathan Morr and Eugene Morimoto opened Cherry in 2013. The hip Japanese and French restaurant had somewhat mixed reviews. They opened Cherry Izakaya in 2014, aiming for a more casual place with homier Japanese dishes. Since then, Morr has left the Cherry restaurants, according to BondSt. Morr did not immediately respond to request for comment.

It's unclear what happened with the Williamsburg restaurant. The building's manager Daffodil Edwards tells Eater that a "closed for renovations" sign popped up on the door at some point, but it's no longer there. She's been trying to get rent money and has been unsuccessful in getting more information. "It's not in my hands," she says.