Downtown Bar Isla Is Now Closed

Isla, the Peruvian-themed bar and restaurant on West 4th Street, is now closed. Chef de cuisine Julio-Cesar Florez posted the announcement on the bar’s Facebook page, writing, “It was my pleasure and honor to bring Peruvian food of this quality to this city.” It seems like its last day was yesterday on Mother’s Day.

The bar went through many different iterations, beginning with a tiki theme under bar manager Trey Jenkins, then focusing on tequila and rum with former chef de cuisine Roman Murphy. Most recently, it pivoted to a Peruvian focus under Florez, of downtown truck Llama's Peruvian Food Trailer and shuttered Malaga. Peche executive chef John Lichtenberger was also in charge of Isla's kitchen.

Owner Rob Pate, who also oversees next-door bar Peche, turned what was formerly Caribbean rum bar Pleasant Storage Room (which closed in late 2014) into Isla in spring 2015. Eater reached out to find out what is happening to the space.

Pate shared a statement with Eater regarding the shutter: “We gave Isla our best effort, and unfortunately, had to close the restaurant. Thank you, Austin, for giving us a chance to bring Peruvian food to your city. We wish the best for chef Julio and the staff.”

The El Chile Group is opening its own Peruvian restaurant, Yuyo, sometime this summer, though no location has been announced yet.

Sunday, May 14 brought about another shutter: Scarlet Rabbit in Round Rock held its last service yesterday as well. Today, May 15, is also the last day for chef David Garrido’s Radisson Hotel restaurant Dine.

• Isla [Facebook]
• All Coverage of Isla [EATX]