Signage arrives for East Village outpost of Sakagura

Over at 231 E. Ninth St., signage is up for Sakagura here between Second Avenue and Third Avenue ...



This former Robataya space will be the second outpost of Sakagura, which has been serving sake to New Yorkers since 1996 in Midtown.

Sakura Yagi, COO of the TIC Restaurant Group, confirmed the news in an email. "Customers will be able to enjoy selections from our renowned sake list as well as familiar, Sakagura-signature dishes as well as new dishes specific to our downtown location," she said.

Sakura and her father, Shuji Bon Yagi, operate a handful of nearby Japanese establishments, including Soba-ya, Curry-Ya, Rai Ken and Hi-Collar.

Expect a September opening date.

Robataya, which featured the robata technique of cooking proteins over a charcoal grill, closed at the end of 2017 after nine years in operation.

Robataya to become Sakagura on 9th Street

The former Robataya space on Ninth Street between Second Avenue and Third Avenue is staying in the family.

Shuji Bon Yagi, who owns six nearby Japanese establishments, including Soba-ya, Curry-Ya and Rai Rai Ken, has plans to convert the restaurant to Sakagura ...



The address is on this month's CB3-SLA docket for a new liquor license. (The meeting is Monday evening at 6:30 p.m.)

The questionnaire on file with CB3 shows that Sakagura will have a lunch and dinner service daily. Lunch hours are 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., with dinner from 6 to 11 p.m. The proposal calls for 10 tables seating 42 diners (and a 16-seat counter).

There's also an extensive sample menu on the questionnaire (PDF here) showing a variety of dishes, including housemade soba noodles and rice bowls.

Robataya, which featured the robata technique of cooking proteins over a charcoal grill, closed at the end of 2017 after nine years in operation.

Robataya has closed on 9th Street

Missed this one. EVG reader jba shared the news that Robataya closed on Ninth Street between Second Avenue and Third Avenue.

There's a short message about this on the restaurant's website:

Notice of Robataya Business Closing
Robataya will be going out of business on December 30, 2017.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your patronage.

The Japanese restaurant, which opened in 2009, was part of Bon Yagi's (Soba-ya, Curry-Ya, Rai Rai Ken) empire.

Robataya rises on East Ninth Street

The always-reliable Col Legno closed up last June at 231 E. Ninth Street near Second Avenue. (It was a favorite of Alex's at Flaming Pablum.)

Now, the location is getting ready to open as a Japanese robata-style restaurant...