September is almost the month when restaurants can stop worrying about hurricanes and slow summer business. Almost — but not quite. This month, there are a few significant closings, from the sad demise of an Uptown restaurant after its owner’s death to a rent hike closing a chef’s original Bywater cafe, the sobering list continues.  

After 30 years, a chef steps away

Momo Young has been cooking versions of her native Japanese cuisine for more than three decades, originally running her own restaurant, Ninja, in the Carrollton neighborhood, where Boucherie is now located. She opened Ajun Cajun on Oak Street in 2019, catering to fans of her yakiniku garlicky ribeye po’ boy served at festivals, including the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. Her mash-up between Japanese and Cajun dishes also included savory rice bowls and ramen. While the restaurant is closed, Young’s daughter Angel plans to keep her chef mama’s specialties on the menu at festivals starting with Japan Fest in City Park on October 11. 

Apolline closes after 14 years Uptown 

Keith Andrews was the heart and soul of his restaurant Apolline Uptown on Magazine, a gracious host who knew customers by name and made everyone feel welcome. When he died on July 5, shortly after being diagnosed with cancer, the restaurant was gutted. “It is with a heavy heart that we announce the closing of Apolline Restaurant,” his sister Sharon Andrews announced on Instagram. “The loss of our founder has left a hole that we were unable to fill.”  The family expressed gratitude to Apolline chef Billy Prats and to the staff and patrons through the years, “who truly made Apolline his happy place.” 

Alma Cafe shutters flagship location

After five years in its flagship Bywater location, Alma Cafe closed on August 31. Chef-owner Melissa Araujo announced on Instagram that the modern Honduran restaurant, a popular brunch destination, was unable to reach a lease agreement with the landlord. “We are so grateful to the community for supporting us over the years, but this isn’t goodbye!” Alma’s new Mid City location, which opened in February, remains open with the same menu along with an oyster bar. Araujo, a two-time James Beard Award semifinalist, stated that the closure was not related to the ongoing Medicaid fraud investigation. Araujo said she was trusting the court process and was confident she  would “eventually be cleared of these charges.”

A popular vegan restaurant closes “for now” 

I-tal Garden, a locally owned Treme restaurant that has seriously upped the city’s vegan game,  posted on Instagram that it would need to close “due to circumstances beyond our control. We are temporarily closed until further notice. We are deeply grateful for your continued love and support.” There is no word on a timeline for reopening.