I'm sad to say that 26 Seats, one of my favorite French restaurants in the East Village, has been closed by the Department of Health. The notice is dated August 6th, and as of last night the gate was down during the dinner hour. No word on precisely what violations led the restaurant to close, but we hope they are able to re-open soon. 

We first reported back in March that Luca Lounge was closed for renovations, only to follow-up recently with the unfortunate news that as per the signage outside, the space was evidently for rent.

Well, yesterday we received an email from Vito DiTomaso, who identified himself as Luca's "co-founder, co-chef, member of Luca family, and all around cool dude," so, at long last, here is the official lowdown on the popular Avenue B bar's future ...

In regards to your May 20th article: we must correct you and inform you that Luca Lounge is by no means a goner ... Unfortunately, in the midst of renovations leading into a typically busy and fun summer season, and following months of negotiating, we quite suddenly and unfairly did lose our lease due to an unexpected and outrageous rent increase. However, we fully intend to stay in this community and are planning to move the restaurant to 222 Avenue B--this location is just next door to our original space. So do plan to see a new, improved, and definitely alive and kicking Luca Lounge by the end of July, next door to our former location. Our sister spots, Luca Bar on St. Marks Place and Masso in Long Island City are also open for those who need their Luca fix immediately!

And there you have it.

Say it ain't so ... Local Avenue B favorite Luca Lounge appears to be officially on the market, as per the above signage out front. 

Readers of Imbible will recall that back in March we reported that Luca Lounge was supposedly closed for "renovations," according to a sign posted to the gate. At that time, we also speculated as to whether it was really closed for a remodel, or whether it might actually be done for. On a side note, that speculation prompted one of the owners to send me an email in which she chastised me for suggesting that Luca Lounge might not re-open, and insisted that it would. As a local resident, I was hopeful that it would in fact re-open, and grew increasingly wary when I walked by every day and never saw any signs of life, let alone evidence of construction.

And then up popped this "store for rent" sign, which I noticed yesterday, confirming that despite everyone's best efforts, Luca Lounge is indeed a goner.

But with a sprawling space (plus a massive backyard), the next question is, of course, what's next for the bar formerly known as Luca Lounge? Stay tuned ...

Good Night Mr. Lewis is reporting that rooftop lounge at the shuttered Chelsea club Bed might be re-opening--just in time for the "SATC" movie premiere (Carrie & Co. gave the club a big boost when they visited in an episode of the TV show).

Mark Baker and the Mansion crew have joined forces with the Pink Elephant crew, Alex Martini, Yura and a host of others to get Bed's rooftop reopened for the upcoming season ... The space, formerly known as Bed Rooftop, will be named something along the lines of Sky Garden.

GNML is promising an update on the blog within 30 minutes ... stay tuned.