Photo by Tom Wallace.

When asked last week about Om's rumored closing, owner Vik Uppal was tightlipped on the restaurant's future, saying only that it would be open for business New Year's weekend. Here's what he didn't mention: The weekend would also be its last. Saturday was the final day for the massive contemporary Indian restaurant, which has sat at the corner of 1st Av. N. and N. 4th St. since Sept. 2009.

Last week, Uppal said he wants to reconcept the restaurant, but wouldn't comment further. The building, which Uppal bought in 2008, is in financial trouble. A November Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal story reported that Central Bank was threatening to foreclose on the former Manufacturers building. General manager Randy Norman verified that Om as a concept is shut down for good.

"It just wasn't meant to be," Norman said. He cited a tough economy and cuisine that just didn't mesh with foodie tastes in the Twin Cities. "I think we were extremely bold when it came to trying to take the Indian cuisine and present it to the Twin Cities in an upscale contemporary fashion," he said. "That was the greatest thing about it and probably the worst thing about it." Norman admitted that filling 200 seats in a two-level restaurant on a regular basis was no easy task.

The restaurant didn't go quietly or without controversy. Om partnered with happy-hour website ThirftyHipster.com for an Asian-themed New Year's Eve bash called "Shanghaied." Unfortunately, the much-hyped event turned into what Thrifty Hipster's Matt Dowgwillo called a "debacle."

On Thursday afternoon, organizers found out that the city wouldn't be granting the expansion-of-premises permit needed to hold the party inside Om's building, Dowgwillo said. A last-minute deal was struck with the Graves 601 to have the party moved to the hotel's 5th floor ballroom. Dowgwillo said he and Uppal tried to notify ticket buyers through email, Facebook and phone calls. Norman said the restaurant shuttled diners who had also purchased party tickets (ranging from $45-$90) to the new location two block away.

Even so, Facebook and Twitter were abuzz with angry partygoers who complained of the last-minute venue change and overly long lines at the bar. Some wanted their money back.

Uppal commented through an email Tuesday: "I was personally at the event and understand from feedback that expectations for the event were not met for guests. I believe that the situation will be resolved properly."

Dowgwillo also chimed in: "We have a meeting set up for Wednesday with all the parties to make this right for any of the guests that were disappointed."

Norman said Om's closing on Saturday had nothing to do with the last-minute change to the NYE party.