Mari Vanna's Shabby-Chic Russian Hideaway Closes Down on Melrose Place

What's up with Melrose Place? Mari Vanna, which opened to mild fanfare, a mostly solid Jonathan Gold review, and a worldwide network of shabby-chic Russian eateries, closed abruptly over the weekend in the former Bastide space.

A tipster wrote in to say that they were trying to claim their Groupon on Saturday, only to find it shuttered. Phone calls to the restaurant went unanswered while Yelpers chimed in to confirm the closure. Some reports are saying that they're simply renovating, but that's an age old excuse. Mari Vanna opened back in June 2013 after a lengthy build out. No word on what's happening with the prime location next.