closings

Mario Batali’s La Sirena Will Close at the End of the Year

The bar at La Sirena. Photo: Melissa Hom

La Sirena isn’t long for this world. Joe Bastianich and Mario Batali’s Chelsea restaurant will close at the end of this year, after two short and not very successful years. According to a spokesperson, the restaurant’s last day of business will be December 31.

According to Eater, sales at the restaurant have slumped since those allegations first surfaced. La Sirena also seemed like the most likely of Batali’s restaurants to first close. It occupies a sprawling space in the Maritime Hotel, and was received tepidly when it opened. In his review, New York critic Adam Platt wrote that it “looks like a dinosaur to me … a large and glittering cruise ship of a place,” and was unimpressed by the cooking. The restaurant’s two chefs left in July. Batali remains a partner in the restaurant group, as the divestment process is ongoing.

La Sirena will be the fourth B&B Hospitality Group restaurant to close since Batali was first accused of sexually harassing and abusing women last December. Additionally, Batali was fired from The Chew, which was subsequently canceled, and his books and branded products were removed from his restaurants and Eataly, in which he has a stake. Batali remains a partner in the restaurant group, as the divestment process is ongoing.

One of Batali’s NYC Restaurants Will Close for Good