Patricia Yeo, whose precise, eclectic fusion cookery and painterly platings brought Sapa wide renown, has finally left the restaurant. A source tells us that she has made the decision to start her own place with Strip House owners Peter and Penny Glazier (she announced plans to quit in 2005), an as-yet-unnamed Asian barbecue place, emphasizing ribs, in the space currently occupied by the Monkey Bar. We're not putting on the bib quite yet, though: There has been no official announcement or opening date given.

Update: Yeo tells us that she will not be leaving Sapa as executive chef or partner (at least for now; our source believes it’s a matter of months): “I will probably be spending more time at Monkey Bar, at least pre-reviews. The main concept will be to resurrect old ideas, like ribs, with an Asian spin.”