Upscale Comfort Food Restaurant Olivia Will Shut Down

Olivia, the South Lamar restaurant with a focus on higher end takes on comfort food, is closing its doors. As with the switcheroo trend, owner and chef James Holmes will turn the space into a new restaurant project, to be announced later. The last day will be brunch and dinner on Sunday, October 9.

Olivia’s menu spanned Texas eats, like pork belly, fried chicken, and the famed Willie Nelson (chicken fried steak doused in red eye gravy). The eight-year-old restaurant was named after one of Holmes’ daughters. It was one of Bon Appetit’s ten best new restaurants in 2009.

Holmes also runs Lucy’s Fried Chicken (also named after another daughter). There are three locations: the first off South Congress, second on Burnet Road, and third near Lake Travis.

Before opening Olivia, Holmes worked at the Alamo Drafthouse and ran a catering company for musical performances. He also worked in various New York restaurants and France.

• All Coverage of Olivia [EATX]
• All Coverage of Lucy’s Fried Chicken [EATX]