Haddingtons, which opened on West Sixth Street in the first days of the new year in 2011, closed after service on Sunday. The restaurant maintained a menu of highly praised American-style gastropub fare and craft cocktails, despite being plagued by one of Austin's worst cases of Chef Shuffle-itis.
Haddingtons' Michael Polombo tells Eater Austin, via e-mail:
"After much consideration, it's become clear that Haddingtons American Tavern has to evolve. Austin has many well-executed dining options, and we were never able to fully recover from the initial difficulties we experienced — despite ultimately cultivating a staff that was terrific and well versed in operations. I'm very appreciative of the heartfelt support given by our team and loyal guests."But the Haddingtons space won't stay empty for long. Polombo writes that he's "pleased to announce" that his business partner Scott Hentschel, also of ELM Restaurant Group (24 Diner, Easy Tiger Bake Shop & Beer Garden) will take over the space for a relaunch:
"Scott Hentschel, an existing partner in Haddingtons, and his talented team at ELM Restaurant Group (24 Diner, Easy Tiger Bake Shop & Beer Garden, Key Bar) love the space and are very enthusiastic about creating a new concept at the site. The forthcoming ELM project will launch in the coming months with the support and partnership of the current restaurant group.Haddingtons saw a number of executive chefs in its two-year existence: original chef Zack Northcutt moved over to sibling restaurant Mulberry after just three months in the Haddingtons kitchen, replaced by James Corwell, who left after eight months, replaced by CT Turgeon, who stayed on for nearly a year until Jacob Weaver took over as culinary director of both Mulberry and Haddingtons in June 2012, before leaving a few months later to take a gig as sous chef at Perla's. Weaver left Haddingtons in the hands of Kyle Burgess, formerly of Round Rock's Studio Kitchen.Existing staff members are encouraged to interview with ELM for a position at one of their other locations and/or the new concept. I'm confident that the relaunch will result in a welcome addition to the neighborhood and the dining scene at large."
Polombo tells Eater Austin that Mulberry is "doing very well."
Update: That sister restaurant to 24 Diner, Easy Tiger? It's Arro. Details here.
· All Haddingtons Coverage on Eater Austin [-EATX-]
· All Restaurant Closings Coverage on Eater Austin [-EATX-]
Haddingtons. [Photo: Patrick Michels/EATX]