Restaurant rumors blow through this town like cyclones race across Oklahoma. Apparently one just touched down. Last evening Moxy Contemporary Bistro was suspiciously dark, then came the telltale sign on the front door, this time not the usual "closed for remodeling" puffery but something more definitive: "Sorry for any inconvenience. We are now closed. Thank you for your support." And this oddity from Moxy's website: "We are closed for regular business but will open for large private parties if anyone would like to say goodbye."
When Moxy opened in late 2003, it was the cutting edge restaurant in the CWE. Even as recently as last year, it was garnering favorable local press.Then late in 2009, Brasserie by Niche moved in right next door, and Moxy suddenly became the homing beacon for its pesky new neighbor ("you know, it's on Laclede, right next to Moxy").
There was speculation that Brasserie stole away much of Moxy's business. (It could also be speculated that Moxy should have benefitted from Brasserie's overflow.) Regardless, Moxy remains closed until further notice. -- George Mahe