Sad news came to Tokyoites on the news last night as video footage of a fire at the historic Kanda Yabu Soba. News reports that no one was injured in the fire. The fire started last night during dinner service. One of the restaurant employees smelled smoke and the restaurant was quickly evacuated.
What I will miss about the restaurant besides the soba is the okamisan (female proprietor) who would sing out each order. This singing is a tradition that has been passed down. It is something that I have only seen (I should say heard) at Kanda Yabu Soba.
UPDATE: On the 20th of February, the day after the fire, a Kanda Yabu Soba spokesperson said on NHK news that they hope to reopen the restaurant in about six months’ time. They ask for the support of their customers if they reopen. We all have our fingers crossed.
Food Sake Tokyo Updates 20130220 includes all updates to my book, Food Sake Tokyo, including Kanda Yabu Soba (page 111).
Food Sake Tokyo 
Very sad news. It has been on my list of places to try for years.
Hopefully they will reopen. I will post updates here on this blog as I hear of them.