Not many signs of life at The Toucan and the Lion

We can't recall the last time that we saw the well-regarded Toucan and the Lion open for business over on East Sixth Street near First Avenue.

This may not be a big surprise: New operators were aiming to take over the nearly two-year-old self-described "Asian gastropub" during this month's CB3/SLA committee meeting. (Read about that here.)

There isn't a sign noting a closure on the front gates … or any messages on their voice-mail, website or social media properties. (Their last Facebook update is from Sept. 17.) And the restaurant is no longer available for reservations on OpenTable. ("We're sorry, but the restaurant you requested could not be found.")

Prior to the Toucan and the Lion, which opened in January 2012, the address was home to Mara's Homemade.