What’s next for Ubuntu?

Napa’s first and only vegetarian restaurant had an enviable debut and an unexpected eclipse, making the New York Times list of America’s top 10 new restaurants in 2008 and attaining Michelin-starred status before closing its doors last fall.

“Ubuntu is where virtue meets naughty sensuality,” the Times‘ Frank Bruni wrote in early 2008; and vegetarians, vegans and omnivores alike flocked to the Main Street eatery located, almost teasingly, hard by the meat-eaters’ paradise that is Cole’s Chop House.

But in October of 2011, the restaurant announced a “sabbatical” it indicated would end this spring.

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The place didn’t go entirely dark: Founded by Sandy Lawrence in 2007 as a combination vegetarian eatery and yoga studio, Ubuntu has continued to host yoga classes above the kitchen and dining room.

(You can read an interview with Lawrence in my May, 2008 “Napa Insider” column for NorthBay biz magazine, The New Napa: Bring Your Appetite.)

As reported by EaterSF, Upvalley restaurateurs Hiro Sone and Lissa Doumani of Terra in St. Helena were pursuing a lease on the restaurant, but could not agree with Lawrence on the terms of a deal.

Now the foodie website has alerted us to a Craigslist ad for a “World Class Napa Restaurant Space For Sale – Turnkey Fully Equipped.” 

Among the selling points in the ad:

• Space: 4,200 SF (3,200 SF Main Floor + 1,000 SF Mezzanine)
• Seats: 111 Seats (76 Dining Room; 22 Patio; 13 Bar) + 1,000 SF Private Dining Room on Mezzanine
• Liquor License: Type 41 — Beer and Wine
• Lease: New Lease Available Direct from Landlord at Market Rates
• Parking: Convenient Public Parking 
• Attractive stone walls with 30 foot ceiling
• Abundant natural light
• Award winning restaurant with acclaimed design using sustainable materials
• Excellent Fung Shui 
• Seller spent over $4.0 million on this space. You will never find another opportunity like this in Napa or anywhere else.

The ad refers inquiries to Bruce Breitman, DRE# 00658377, of BBG, Ltd., DRE# 01290704: Phone 415-435-4506.