Raku to Close Doors on November 15th

[Corine2]

Posted: 11/8/07 at 11:34pm

My favorite restaurant is closing. I am so sad about this.
If there are any restaurants out there or clubs that can save Raku please get in contact with me.
I love Raku sushi. It will be a sad day on November 15th.
;-(

PS Eddie Varley drew this cartoon of me at Raku at one of my Corine's Corner Happy Hour parties. I am holding a tray of Corine's Corner rolls which is spicy shrimp tempura, avocado, cucumber and caviar. Delish. Get one till November 15th.




Updated On: 11/12/07 at 11:34 PM

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 11/9/07 at 12:01am

I want to hear more about these restaurant saving clubs.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 11/9/07 at 12:08am

My favorite restaurant is closing. I am so sad about this.
If there are any restaurants out there or clubs that can save Raku please get in contact with me.

Could you run that by me one more time?
Are you looking for a restaurant or a club to TAKE OVER Raku? Or to give it money so it can stay open? How exactly does that work?

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 11/9/07 at 12:12am

I will buy out all their shima aji when it goes on clearance.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 11/9/07 at 12:42am

Maybe you could have a bake sale or sell something to raise money to benefit Raku...snowglobes?

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 11/9/07 at 12:46am

How long have they been in business and how long have you been shilling them? Maybe there is a correlation?

Posted: 11/9/07 at 7:09am

this is the place where the waiters take naps on the tables?

[Ida Noodleman]

Posted: 11/9/07 at 7:14am

Clubs that can save a restaurant? Do mean like the Kiwanis Club doing a benefit to raise money for them?
Maybe the Shriners should stop focusing so much time and attention on children who suffer burn injuries and focus on what's really important, sushi.

Updated On: 11/9/07 at 07:14 AM

[Ida Noodleman]

Posted: 11/9/07 at 7:19am

Is Sally Struthers doing anything right now? Does anyone know? Maybe she would be willing to act as spokesperson for the Save The Sushi Fund.
I can see the infomercial now.

[wexy]

Posted: 11/9/07 at 8:50am

Restaurants have lives just us. They're born and they die and some live longer than others. Corine is attempting RR (restaurant ressucitation).

[SonofMammaMiaSam]

Posted: 11/9/07 at 8:54am

Pesky Health Department.

[Corine2]

Posted: 11/9/07 at 8:56am

I am really upset about this. I don't own Raku. Raku is my favorite restaurant. Raku on west 47th street became my living room before theater for the past two years.

I want some large restaurant or bar to add raku sushi to their club. Like Gotham Comedy club, China Club, etc. Raku sushi is my favorite place on the planet. Ray is a doll and made his customers feel at home.

If someone out there owns a large bar that does not have food they should contact me. I am trying to help save my living room.
It must sound weird but I loved going there not for the decor of the place. For the incredible food, great prices and fantastic homey feel. No other restaurant made me feel this comfortable.

Someone save Raku sushi.!!!!

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 11/9/07 at 9:01am

et tu, raku?

[Corine2]

Posted: 11/9/07 at 9:06am

Raku will not die. Not if I can help it!

IT IS AN OUTRAGE. HIS LANDLORD WANTS TO DOUBLE HIS RENT. No small, charming restaurants can afford to operate in this City.
First YODO. Now, Raku.

HOW MANY STARBUCKS, McDonald's, Duane Reade's do we need in NYC.
There are only chains that can afford to operate in NYC. SERIOUSLY COUNT THE STARBUCKS ON EACH AND EVERY BLOCK.

ARE WE SUPPOSSED TO JUST DRINK COFFEE AND GO TO BANKS?

IT MAKES ME SICK. Updated On: 11/9/07 at 09:06 AM

[Corine2]

Posted: 11/9/07 at 9:24am

PS If any of you want to go to my last Corine's Corner Happy Hour at Raku please join me from:

5-7 At Raku sushi the prices are 30 percent off for sushi rolls and 50 percent off for beer, sake and wine.

I will be there. So, why not stop on over and cheer me up. I love Raku. I know it is only a place but it feels like a home to me.

November 12th
47th and 8th.
Come say hi.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 11/9/07 at 9:34am

Honey, you have to go to the banks to drink at Starbucks.

[Corine2]

Posted: 11/9/07 at 9:36am

TRUE!!!!
At least we still have the Edison. If that closes I will die.
I could not live without my cabbage soup.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 11/9/07 at 11:55am

Raku's closing is a result of too many patrons finding the wait staff asleep on the benches in the main dining area.

I reported it to the Health Dep't.

Posted: 11/9/07 at 12:04pm

What's the story- does the staff really sleep in the dining room? If so, how could that be a health violation. I mean, if it's a bench people put their asses on it- sleeping on it can't possibly be any dirtier.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 11/9/07 at 1:04pm

Raku on west 47th street became my living room before theater for the past two years.
I know it is only a place but it feels like a home to me. No other restaurant made me feel this comfortable.

Apparently it wasn't just the STAFF that was using it as a bedroom. Did they offer pillows and a blanky?

Corine, how much money do you think you might have spent there? Now compare that to how much FREE stuff Mr. Raku gave you.

See a connection?

Now I am all for a decently priced meal, but if what you are saying is true, it seems Mr. Raku wasn't all that smart of a business man. I learned during my days as a bartender that the regulars weren't REALLY my friends, they just wanted free drinks (FREE WINE?).
I understand your concern about the little guy getting stomped on by the big corporate world, but that is life in this time. Unfortunately. People WANT Starbucks, and so they are there.

Oh, and Ida, you are fairly new here so you might as well know...Sally Struthers jokes are off-limits. Especially if it deals with eating or her weight. Just a heads up for the newbie!

[SonofMammaMiaSam]

Posted: 11/9/07 at 1:08pm

All of those 30 to 50 percent discounts couldn't have been helping the bottom line either. Other than the free cup you get from Starbucks once a year, when was the last time they had to discount?

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 11/9/07 at 1:11pm

"Is Sally Struthers doing anything right now? Does anyone know? "

Okay, now I KNOW you are another asshole.

Sally is busy at the Falcon Theatre where she had to take over for a role that Penny Marshal was supposed to play. She had two days to do it, and she's getting great reviews.


So, Noodleman, are you just another sock puppet? Or just some random asswipe?

[Corine2]

Posted: 11/9/07 at 1:16pm

Two things. I spent a lot more at Raku than Raku gave me. I also threw parties once a month and brought 10-30 people each time. Ray is a smart business man. He just does not rip off his customers and the place wants to double his rent.

There is nothing wrong with the staff napping in their clothes. There is no difference with that than eating with the lights on.
There were no health violations at Raku. It is a matter of rent.

And Sammy, I brought a lot of regulars to the place. It is not my fault or Ray's. It is the way things are going. Rents are very high in this City and the small guy is getting squashed.

I will be dining at Raku this evening. Hope to see you there.

[SonofMammaMiaSam]

Posted: 11/9/07 at 1:21pm

A well thought out and implemented business plan would have allowed for rent increases. You swim with sharks, you become suishi. Enjoy your last meal!

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 11/9/07 at 1:22pm

Is that even LEGAL to double somebody's rent? I didn't think so.