Austin Dive Bar Lala’s Is Opening in South Austin | Eater Austin

"A South Lamar wine-focused restaurant was sold to hospitality operator Mike Smith in August and is now part of his new Hearth and Counter group with partner Chris Ragland. Owners Marco Fiorilo and John Coronado cited pandemic impacts and a tough summer as reasons for the sale; chef Andre Molina departed after the purchase while wine director Alex Bell stayed on. The kitchen is now being run by former sous chefs Zakk Pollard and Daniel Garr alongside new chef Steven Dziewanowski. The concept traces back to a 2006 furniture store that added wine and snacks in 2009 and was fully revamped into a wine-and-kitchen format in 2017." - Nadia Chaudhury