Scuttlebutt round these parts is laying some sad news on us this morning. Phoodie drinkfave Azul Cantina seems to be closing or re-tooling in the short order. Valanni headman George Anni is apparently purchasing Azul from friend and colleague George Markakis, and will be reimagining the restaurant. We hear that a ten-tap beer system is going to be installed, which points to some local craft brew happiness. Azul will be closed for a couple of weeks during renovations, but we don’t know if the name is staying or not.

With the recent departure of mixologist Matt McHale and Chef Jesse Vega, there were rumblings something might be going down. We will sorely miss the Strawberry Menta if this news is legit. Azul was a spot the neighborhood needed, and Markakis put together a restaurant we loved. But the crew at Valanni has developed more than a few restaurants we also get behind (Mercato), so we’re keeping our hopes up for 2009.