Chinese restaurant Golden Temple II closes in Syosset

There are cursed locations, and then there’s 6600 Jericho Tpke. in Syosset. Golden Temple II is the latest Chinese restaurant to flame out at this free-standing building just east of Robbins Lane.

Opened in 2015, Golden Temple II was an offshoot of the original Golden Temple (which is still open about a mile and a half east on Jericho Turnpike). It closed earlier this year — a pretty long run when compared to its immediate predecessors Din Din, Hao, Ao, Dao and Tao, all of whom occupied the premises after longtime tenant Empire Szechuan Gourmet closed in 2012. ESG opened in 1992, taking over for Homer’s Oriental, which opened in 1986. (And if you remember what preceded Homer’s, let me know.)

There’s already a sign on the door promising a new restaurant: Master Chef. I spoke to the manager and he said that the new owners were partners in Shun Lee Palace (1971) and Shun Lee West (1981), two of Manhattan’s toniest Chinese restaurants. He said that Master Chef would be modern Chinese and hoped to open by the fall.

Here’s the most exciting development: The new owners are actually doing a gut renovation. Through Tao, Dao, Ao, Hao, Din Din and Golden Temple II (I can’t help it, I love typing those names), the restaurant’s décor has changed very minimally. Maybe a truly new interior can break the curse of 6600 Jericho.