I never understood the concept of Azukar. At times, it was a night club. At other times, it was an all you can eat sushi restaurant. Maybe it was both simultaneously. Regardless, it closed at its location at 1616 J St. (across from Lucca) at the end of April and will reopen soon in the Bel Air Shopping Center at the corner of El Camino and Truxel.

What's exciting is what's replacing it - Purgatory. The new restaurant, owned by restaurant newcomer Don Dunakin, will be a fine dining establishment, says Andy Soto, a restaurant consultant who has been brought in to help bring the restaurant online. The restaurant hopes to open its doors by the end of the summer.

At the front of the venue is a space for guests to drink wine and coffee, with the fine dining restaurant behind it. Downstairs will be a club, which Soto says will bring the type of experience one would expect to see in New York, Los Angeles or Las Vegas. The club will seek an upscale clientele, with no jeans, sneakers or baseball caps allowed.

There's "no shortage of people who enjoy fine food in Sacramento," says Soto. While an executive chef has yet to be hired, the owner has "spared no expense" in his effort to make Purgatory a "dining destination" that aims to compete with the likes of Ella and The Firehouse.

Soto and his consulting company, Spectrum Restaurant Consulting, have previously done work for a number of restaurants, including Sugar Plum Vegan, Green Boheme and Sam's Kosher Style Restaurant & Deli.

Purgatory is currently hiring. For more information, see their Craigslist listing.

Update: Soto e-mails to add that the restaurant is in the final stages of escrow.

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