It's been another unpredictable year for Austin restaurants — for every opening, it seems we've encountered a surprising shutter.While fine dining destinations were hit the hardest, no concept proved untouchable. We've already rounded up the high-profiled closures from the first half of the year. Here's your comprehensive list of 2016:
LaV Restaurant & Wine Bar
LaV opened to praise in March 2014 and quickly attracted a slew of accolades. However, on New Year's Day 2016, the French restaurant said au revoir. "We've come to see that it's not fiscally feasible to continue to operate laV at its current level," the owner said. "Rather than cutting corners or providing an experience that doesn't hold up to the high standards we've set for ourselves, we've decided to close the restaurant."
Mettle
Bridget Dunlap of Rainey Street fame closed her first restaurant concept, Mettle, just days after laV's shutter. Mettle opened in summer 2013 as one of the most anticipated restaurants of the season. Unfortunately, lots of anticipation and a popular Sunday brunch couldn't save the restaurant. Dunlap ATX reported that the decision to close was based on lagging sales.
EZ's Brick Oven & Grill
The sole Austin location of this San Antonio-based restaurant chain opened in 1994, serving pizza, pasta, burgers, and shakes. However, the eatery shuttered in January after a fire caused $400,000 in damage. In August, demolition equipment was spotted onsite.
Arro
In February, news of Arro's closure surprised the restaurant community. In a strange twist of fate, Dunlap ATX acquired the space from Elm Restaurant Group and quickly transformed it into a bar called Parlor & Yard.
Gardner
High-end, vegetable-focused restaurant Gardner opened in fall 2014 and served its last meal in early March. The team quickly converted the space into Chicon, a casual concept that serves as a sister restaurant to popular outpost Contigo.
Finn & Porter
After nearly 12 years at the Hilton Austin, Finn & Porter closed its doors in April. The fine dining establishment shuttered to make way for two new concepts in the hotel, including Cannon + Belle, helmed by former Finn & Porter chef Peter Maffei.
El Arroyo: Far West
El Arroyo's 20-year-old outpost in the Far West neighborhood closed in April. "The store really needed to be remodeled," said owner and Austin Landmarks CEO Ellis Winstanley. "And we weren't interested in renewing with that landlord due to an ongoing dispute between us." Thankfully, the original El Arroyo on West Fifth Street is still open.
Al Fico
Long-awaited Al Fico abruptly shuttered in May due to lease issues, after only six months of service. The concept from owners Jeff Courington and Kelly Bell (who are also behind Vino Vino) had been in the works for several years and debuted to critical acclaim as part of Austin's ongoing fascination with Italian fare.
Sagra
After debuting downtown in 2007, Sagra reopened on East 11th Street in 2013 with a much-loved brunch, all-you-can-eat mussels, and fresh-baked pizzas. Unfortunately, "the costs of maintaining a large location downtown were just too much," said owners Gabriel and Sarwat Pellegrini. The restaurant held its final service in May.
Ophelia
The Cajun eatery from Dunlap ATX and chef Lynzy Moran, which took over the shuttered Mettle space, abruptly closed in late May, just three months after opening. The address is now home to a sports bar from Dunlap ATX called Trackside. Moran has plans of her own.
Fork & Vine
Anderson Lane favorite Fork & Vine won our Tastemaker Award for Best New Restaurant in 2015. Despite filling a void for fine food in the area, Fork & Vine was unable to reconcile a lease dispute and shuttered in June. The first central location of Jack Allen's Kitchen is slated to take over the space in spring 2017.
Satay
The oldest Thai restaurant in Austin closed in mid-June after almost 30 years of service. But this isn't the last you'll hear from chef/owner Dr. Foo Swasdee, who plans to open a rentable restaurant in the space.
Kin & Comfort
The counter-service restaurant inside Hana World Market at the beginning of July. Kin & Comfort was the unique concept from chef/owner Ek Timrerk, who served up a mixture of Southern and Thai cuisines to devoted fans.
416 Bar & Grille
Burnet Road's neighborhood joint closed in July after less than a year-and-a-half. In its brief tenure, the family-owned eatery wooed diners with all-day breakfast and comfort classics. It was also nominated for Best New Restaurant in our 2015 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards.
Cantina Laredo
Known for its table-side guacamole and drink specials, Cantina Laredo is a Dallas-based restaurant chain with locations across the U.S. The 2nd Street District outpost shuttered in July to make way for Peli Peli, opening in 2017.
Due Forni Pizza & Wine
Austin was alerted to the closure of this upscale Italian eatery downtown after a dramatic lock-out notice was posted in late July. In response, Due Forni’s management and staff said the restaurant regretfully closed after three wonderful years in business.
East Side Show Room
The cozy lounge known for handcrafted cocktails, live music, and locally sourced food closed in late July. But from its ashes rose Ah Sing Den, an Asian-inspired concept from the same team, and one of our favorite new bars of the year.
Benji's Cantina
This Tex-Mex restaurant closure rocked Austin in August. Details are scarce, but owners KPG Hospitality — whose portfolio includes Kung Fu Saloon and Brew Exchange — plan to open a new concept in the same space.
Sao Paulo's Brazilian Restaurante
When Sao Paulo announced its closure in August, Austin lost another neighborhood hangout and campus-area go-to. However, if one door closes, another opens. Sister restaurant, neighboring Taco Joint, quickly expanded into the space.
Prelog's
This modern European eatery bid adieu at the end of August after one year downtown, however there are plans to reopen in a to-be-determined location. In the meantime, the team will continue to provide catering services, private cooking classes, and in-home dining opportunities.
Qui
Perhaps the most high-profile shutter of the year was that of chef Paul Qui's namesake restaurant. Qui's new Japanese-inspired concept, Kuneho, will open in the space on January 2, 2017.
Malaga Tapas & Bar
This 18-year-old Spanish eatery opened in 1998 and eventually moved to the 2nd Street District, where it was a popular destination for wine and classic tapas. Final service was held Labor Day weekend.
El Azteca
East Austin mainstay El Azteca — celebrated for faves like cabrito, carne guisada, and enchiladas — shuttered in late September after over 50 years of service. The restaurant was famous both locally and abroad, having been featured on an episode of No Reservations with Anthony Bourdain.
Olivia
Beloved South Austin restaurant Olivia, one of Austin's first farm-to-table concepts, shuttered in early October due to a changing dynamic in our city's restaurant scene. Chef/owner James Holmes converted the space into a new outpost for his popular Lucy's Fried Chicken.
Brass House
This combination restaurant and jazz club downtown said goodbye in October after four short years. "Due to the rising tide of the downtown Austin rental market, lack of free parking, and unforeseen circumstances, Brass House will be closing its doors permanently," said owner Jason White.
Bacon
Austin's aptly named pork-obsessed restaurant Bacon closed in October. With its hearty sandwiches and all-day breakfast, the restaurant served everyone from bacon-loving Austinites to celebrities like Kevin Bacon since it opened in 2011.
Snack Bar
Austin lost one of its kitschiest dining destinations in October as well. The space will be home to a new restaurant concept tied to the Austin Motel, which was purchased by Greenfield Partners LLC, owner of Hotel San Jose.
Burn Pizza + Bar
Dunlap ATX closed its Sixth Street pizza joint in December after one year on East Sixth Street. The eatery will be replaced by a unique collaboration between the hospitality company and Collide, a creative agency. The project is dubbed Collide ATX.
Doc's Motorworks Bar & Grill
The SoCo location of Doc's, open since 2005, held its last call on December 23. The homegrown chain famous for burgers and beer has two additional Austin outposts, as well as one in Houston. The shutter makes way for a new development project named Music Lane Mixed Use.
Opal Divine's
Another South Congress dining destination will close on December 31. Opal Divine's largest location has served the trademark lineup of approachable cuisine for 11 years. The reason for the shutter? "Austin's 'Keep Austin Weird' fascination is fading into a search for the latest and greatest new restaurant/bar/concept."
Arro.
