13-Year-Old South Congress Staple Botticelli’s Is Just Closing for Now

Botticelli’s, the longtime Travis Heights Italian restaurant, isn’t closing permanently just yet. After originally announcing its last day of service on Sunday, July 19, the 1321 South Congress Avenue restaurant decided that the shutter is now a temporary now instead, with the goal of seeing if reopening is possible in the near future.

Co-owner Andrew Botticelli shared the update on Monday, July 20, writing that the restaurant is now only closing temporarily “in hopes we can weather the storm,” according to his public Facebook post. The decision to reopen or actually close permanently will be made within the next several weeks, as he noted: “We’re hoping to find a path forward that makes sense during these unprecedented times.”

The 13-year-old restaurant is known for Italian classics like ravioli with pumpkin and brown butter and sage, bolognese, tiramisu, and a popular dish of duck served two ways. In addition to a quirky interior, the restaurant had a spacious outdoor patio and beer garden that frequently hosted live music. No reason was given for the closure.

Brothers Andrew and Matt Botticelli opened Botticelli’s in 2007, in what was previously Texas comfort food and live music spot Beck’s. Just before closing, the Italian restaurant had been open for dine-in and takeout services during the novel coronavirus pandemic.

In 2013, the Botticellis bought a second restaurant down the street at 1716 South Congress Avenue, which became wine bar Little Barrel and Brown. They had difficulties staffing the restaurant and sold it in 2017. That restaurant turned into sushi bar Neighborhood Sushi from hospitality group McGuire Moorman, which opened last month.

Fellow longtime Italian restaurants on South Congress, Vespaio and Enoteca Vespaio, are still open for dine-in service.

Update, July 23, 10:38 a.m. This article, originally published on July 20, has been updated to include updated information from Botticelli owner Andrew Botticelli regarding the shutter status of the restaurant.

• Botticelli’s [Instagram]