Keith McNally, the restaurateur behind NYC French brasserie favorites like Balthazar and Augustine, just announced this his Soho bistro Lucky Strike will be permanently closed.
McNally put up a very candid post on Instagram this morning sharing the news:
“Sadly, I had to close Lucky Strike for good yesterday after 31 years. Greedy landlord during lockdown syndrome.”
Later he wrote, reminiscing over the fond memories of the restaurant, “For the first seven nights after it opened 31 years ago, I was Lucky Strike’s D.J. I’ve never been happier.”
This comes after McNally himself was hospitalized due to coronavirus. Luckily he recovered and was released after eight days in the hospital earlier this week, but not without his restaurants taking a hit, apparently.
Lucky Strike lived at 59 Grand St., and was known for its boho bistro charm and as a staple in the Soho neighborhood since 1989. Its menu had French bistro classics like onion soup, salade Niçoise, and croque monsieurs, as well as more American takes like flatbreads, burgers and sandwiches. It was a go-to for its history and coziness though, rather than its food.
You can still donate to Lucky Strike’s employee relief fundraiser here.
featured image source: Instagram / @luckystrikesoho