Bridget Dunlap’s Mettle Is Now Closed

Mettle, Rainey Street entrepreneur Bridge Dunlap’s first east side restaurant, is now closed. The building will stay in the Dunlap family and transform into a new business in February, according to Facebook and Twitter. The last day of service was yesterday’s brunch on Sunday, January 3. Eater has reached out for more details, watch this space for updates.

Update, 12:50 p.m.: Dunlap told Eater that Mettle closed because of "lagging sales."

Dunlap ATX has decided to close Mettle effective Mon., Jan. 4th. The space will be repurposed as a new concept expected to open in Feb.

— Mettle (@MettleAustin) January 4, 2016

Dunlap opened Mettle in June 2013 with then-executive chef former Olivia chef Andrew Francisco with New American fare. He left and soon joined the opening Gardner team. In August, he split to go back to Oregon. Carson Symmonds took over his position at Mettle, where he created a more internationally-focused menu with dishes like lamb tikka masala, escargot, beef tongue banh mi, and kimchi fried rice. He is also currently in overseeing the kitchen of the relocated Lustre Pearl East. The space also featured local designs from Austin designers, like the glass sculpture by Leigh Taylor Wyatt.

Recently opened by Dunlap ATX is Burn, the Italian pizzeria restaurant on East 6th Street. Also under the group’s belt are Container Bar, Clive Bar, and Bar 96 on Rainey Street, along with the forthcoming new Lustre Pearl.