A reader pointed out yesterday that Sapporo East, the always-reliable Japanese restaurant on First Avenue at East 10th Street, hasn't
been open of late. No one seems to recall the last time they were up and running. There aren't any signs on the restaurant, which opened in 1983, indicating a holiday break or closure. The phone rings and rings and is eventually answered by a generic greeting.
The restaurant closed in August 2010 for "emergency construction" … though there were signs up pointing to the temporary closure.
Anyone know what's going on here?
While writing for Fork in the Road last April, Robert Sietsema named Sapporo East one of the "Six Miracles of East Village Ungentrification."
11 comments:
Oh, no! I tried to go there for dinner on Saturday and noticed it was closed, and was optimistically hoping they were closed for a holiday break.
I ate there on the 23rd. Don't know beyond that.
We ate there on December 27. It was busy and everything seemed normal. It would be a very sad loss.
My wife and I were dating when Sapporo East opened and it's been a favorite of ours since. I can't imagine the EV without it. Our best to Roku and the rest of the great staff there.
Wasn't this the first sushi joint in the EV? If I recall, actually, it was one of the first in the city. A shame if it's disappearing...I dread what will replace it.
- East Villager
Someone was inside on the 31st. The door gate was open but there were no lights on. I was across the street waiting for them to open at 5, but they did not. I hope they are just taking a few days off for the new year holiday.
"Wasn't this the first sushi joint in the EV?"
I believe 'Mie' on 2nd Avenue between 12th & 13th Streets was the first Sushi Place in the EV. They also had a place in the financial district. The owner didn't have a son, so his daughter became the first female Sushi Chef in New York. The NY Times did a story about them. My significant other at that time was Japanese. We used to go there frequently and she introduced me to the concept of not ordering any particular dish but letting the chef make the decision what to put on your plate. Apparently that's what most Japanese people do when going to a sushi bar staffed by a real Japanese chef. She said it was the best way to wind up with the freshest seafood of the day. According to her, the reason that there are no or very few female sushi chefs is that a woman's hands are too warm.
Walked in a few weeks ago and to my surprise the owners of Shima, my usual regular sushi joint @ 12th Street/Second Ave, we're sitting at the bar. If they're either the owners or negotiating to buy out you could surely get some answers by calling or going over there.
The owners of shima and sap east are the same. Yes. I used to work for them. But they might be shifting gears. Owners are aging. Lets wait and see. They are all great people....don't give up yet.
Shima also appears to be closed now, no sign to indicate why or how long.
Yes Shima and Sapporo E are both owned by same man. I've been weekly devotee for 21 years :(... I've gone elsewhere in EV since, but nothing compares to their perfect blend of staff, great quality sushi & kitchen dishes for the price and convenient location...nothing! What concerns me most is that both are closed with no renovation activities visible. However there are no government shutdown signs so it may be a personal or financial Issue going on with the owner. Maybe a buy out..I just hope the staff and all it's glory returns soon.
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