You won't recognize the former Lan Cafe space on East 6th Street

[EVG photo from April]

A rent hike did in Lan Cafe, the family-run Vietnamese vegan restaurant at 342 E. Sixth St. The homespun Lan closed at the end of April here between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

And as we first reported, an omakase-style restaurant is in the works for the space from one of the owners of Kura, the upscale sushi bar at 130 St. Mark's Place.

Here's how the under-renovation space is looking now, via these photos by Vinny & O …





No word on an opening date here… not that anyone may be able to tell if the place is open by the looks of the façade.

Omakase-style restaurant in the works for former Lan Cafe on East 6th Street

The Lan Cafe space apparently won't be sitting vacant for too long.

The Vietnamese vegan restaurant at 342 E. Sixth St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue closed for good after service on April 29. The family who ran the place these past nine years said that high rents were to blame for the closure.

According to materials on file (PDF!) at the CB3 website ahead of this month's SLA committee meeting, an omakase-style restaurant is in the works from one of the owners of Kura, the upscale sushi bar at 130 St. Mark's Place.

The configuration for the new space shows 9 tables seating 18 people, plus eight counter stools. The proposed hours are noon to midnight, Sunday-Thursday; until 2 a.m. on Friday-Saturday. The applicants are seeking a full liquor license. (Lan Cafe did not have a liquor license.)

The SLA committee meeting is May 18 at the CB3 office, 59 E. Fourth St. between Second Avenue and the Bowery.

Lan Cafe says goodbye

[Photo by Michael Hirsch]

As we first reported, the Vietnamese vegan restaurant at 342 E. Sixth St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue was closing at the end of this month.

The above sign has greeted customers the past few nights: "Due to difficult economic times and high rent these past few years, we are sad to announce that Lan Cafe will be closing its doors permanently."

In addition, the Nguyen family offers an unnecessary apology:

"We are truly sorry for any inconvenience we have caused[d] you all these years."


[Photo by @2001films]

Updated

Here's one last photo of the Nguyen family (from left): Kyh, Lan and Chad …


[Photo by Bill the Libertarian Anarchist]

Last call at Lan Cafe tonight

The Vietnamese vegan restaurant at 342 E. Sixth St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue closes for good at midnight.

Read why here.

Photo this afternoon by Grant Shaffer

[Updated] 2 weeks left to enjoy Lan Cafe

As we reported back on March 26, Lan Cafe, the family run Vietnamese vegan restaurant at 342 E. Sixth St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue, closes at the end of this month. after service on April 29.

The lease is up and the rent is also going up.

Meanwhile, the space is on the market. There isn't a mention of rent on the listing at ABS Partners.

The ad notes that the space will be ideal for "restaurant, wine bar, juice bar, coffee shop, hair/nail salon."

Lan Cafe is closing at the end of April

You have until the end of next month to visit Lan Cafe, the cozy Vietnamese vegan restaurant at 342 E. Sixth St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

An EVG reader and Lan regular first told us about the coming closure at the end of April. A Nguyen family member confirmed it for us. The lease is up, and well — you know the rest. (Also, despite the posted 2 p.m. time during the week, Lan doesn't open until 5 p.m.)

And the list of recent East Village restaurant closings continue… as Lan joins Mitali East … Ginger … Pukk … Puebla Mexican Food … Benny's to go … Mercadito…