Aoi Kitchen closes on 6th Street; owners announce new concept for the space

Aoi Kitchen wrapped up nearly five years of service at 320 E. Sixth St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue last night. 

In an Instagram post about the closure, the owners of the Japanese Yoshoku restaurant announced a new concept: 

... as one chapter ends, another begins. We are thrilled to share that we will be reopening as a wine bar (aiming to open in the middle of August). Our new venture will allow us to continue our passion for hospitality in a fresh and exciting way. We invite you to join us in this new journey, where we will offer a carefully curated selection of fine wines and a warm, inviting atmosphere. 

Eater's Robert Sietsema gave Aoi high marks ... and it brought stability to an address that had seen a whirlwind of restaurants in a short time, including 'Merica.

Aoi Kitchen coming soon to 6th Street

Signage is now up at 320 E. Sixth St. between First Avenue and Second for Aoi Kitchen (thanks to the EVG reader for these photos and tip!) ...



The incoming restaurant's Instagram account promises "Japanese yoshoku and izakaya."

Aoi marks the fifth restaurant to try this spot in recent years. There was Zerza, which closed in September 2016. Then came the World Famous 'Merica, an alleged attempt at satirizing the "real America," which bombed after three weeks in business. Zerza then returned to service for four months, then there were blink-and-you-missed it stints by Amoun and Mazmaza.