Nello's Shuttered by Taxman

Balan allegedly stiffed state on tax tab

Nello's managed to open for the dinner rush, but not before its owner was shut out by tax officials who changed the locks and slapped a sign saying the restaurant had been "SEIZED."

A spokeswoman for Nello Balan's restaurant group was taken aback when informed of the closure, exclaiming "Holy sh--!" to the New York Post. The owner of the Madison Ave. eatery has a long history of tax problems dating back to the 1990s and his restaurants have been the target of a number of liens.

Balan is accused of not paying millions of dollars in back taxes to New York State, not that the restaurateur couldn't afford it. Nello is a Manhattan hotspot--known as much for its celebrity sightings and attendant paparazzi as for its pricey menu. The price of a bowl of soup can run about $40 and a single cocktail is $27.

Contact Us