Elementary, My Dear, It's Shuttered

School’s out forever for Elementary — the small nostalgia-themed restaurant has closed its doors. After just over a year, partners Chris Arial, Allan Bautista, and chef Colter Peck announced the closure on Instagram, serving modern global cuisine with a twist — think mole tortellini and gnocchi with chili crisp.

"Unfortunately, we had to reimagine that space ... The guest understanding was hard to override," Arial told Eater Austin.

The restaurant, which opened in July 2023, took playful cues from childhood with themed nights, a colorful palette, and nostalgia-inspired dishes. Located on South Lamar, in a space previously occupied by Henri’s wine bar, Elementary’s owners cited the financial burden of Austin's notoriously slow summers as a contributing factor in their decision to close.

The Instagram parting message from the trio: it's "not goodbye, but see you later." In the meantime, their adjacent wine bar, Hopscotch, keeps the drinks flowing.