Aviary Wine & Kitchen in Austin closes after one year under new ownership

Mike Smith and partner Chris Ragland purchased Aviary Wine & Kitchen in the summer of 2023 in hopes of reviving the longtime restaurant, which was on the verge of closing due to financial losses from Covid and a historically hot summer.

The duo’s stewardship lasted about a year. The owners announced this week that they have permanently closed the wine bar and restaurant at 2110 S. Lamar Blvd.

Smith, whose resume includes management roles at Gumbo’s and Shoreline Grill, said he and Ragland, who founded restaurant business Hearth and Counter last year to buy Aviary and North Austin Italian restaurant Andiamo, cited their initial economic challenges and factors in Austin’s restaurant market as reasons for closing.

“Given the huge financial hole we inherited and other external pressures we face, like other Austin businesses operating in highly desirable commercial spaces, we have had to make the difficult decision to cut our losses and cease operations. The restaurant industry in the area is currently being severely impacted. A popular restaurant not far from Aviary was forced to close just a few weeks ago despite drawing large crowds. It is unfortunate that Austin restaurant owners are currently facing such a situation.”

From 2023: Austin restaurant veteran buys two popular long-standing neighborhood restaurants

Smith said in the press release that his current focus is on establishing payment plans to meet financial obligations to employees and other suppliers and creditors.

There is no information on whether the closure of Aviary will impact Andiamo.

Marco Fiorilo originally opened Aviary as a home furnishings store in 2006 before converting it into a full-service restaurant and wine bar with his partner John Coronado in 2017. Fiorillo continues to operate two locations of the Wham Bam Bagels food truck, and Coronado partners with restaurant entrepreneur Tatanka Guerrero.

Although the owner was new, one face was very familiar to Aviary regulars: Alex Bell. The wine bar and restaurant’s beverage director started at Aviary in 2016 after already being a regular at the shop for several years.

“When I was asked to join this revolution, I knew we were going to create something amazing. For the past 8 years, Aviary Wine & Kitchen has been my love letter to this incredible city we call home. From every glass poured to every cork pulled, it was an honor to share the wines that I was confident would instantly inspire conversation, contemplation, celebration and connection with such a beautiful community,” Bell told the American-Statesman. “Over those 8 years, I have been so fortunate to work with some of our city’s most loving, kind-hearted, thoughtful and talented wine and culinary professionals who have made me better every day in their presence.”

Bell runs the popular Midnight in the Garden pop-up wine-pairing dinner and will continue that series with rotating chefs. He also consults on wine programs across the city.

Chefs Dan Garr and Zakk Pollard, who worked for Aviary’s former executive chef Andre Molina, stayed on after the acquisition. Garr has taken a job at omakase restaurant Sushi by Scratch, and Pollard is planning a pop-up fried chicken restaurant, Days-Go-By Guys, according to Bell.

This is an evolving story.

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