Two new signs saying simply "CLOSED" hang on the doors of Mo's Cucina, 717 N. Plankinton Ave. Downtown. Chairs and tables are disorganized and the bar is stacked with stuff. From my walk past this morning, Mo's Cucina appears closed. The restaurant also has been removed from mosrestaurants.com.

The Italian eatery that started as Mo's Market, a wine store and deli, opened in 2001. Owned by Milwaukee's Mo's Restaurant Group and, of course, John "Johnny V" Vassallo, the Mo's Cucina space is directly north of the popular Mo's Irish Pub and across the street from Mo's, A Place for Steaks.

I always like both Mo's Market and the Cucina. The space had a welcoming feel, the food was always consistent and service friendly too.

Before I was aware the closed signs, I saw Vassallo at his Mocha Coffee Bistro yesterday. He told me, that he wanted to "talk soon" and had some news. Vassallo always is working on new, exciting projects, so I wouldn't be surprised if plans for the Cucina space are already cooking.

I have calls and e-mails into Vassallo, so stayed tuned to these pages for updates. In the meantime, if you are heading out to lunch, do the Pub not Cucina.