This downtown Raleigh restaurant served its last meal Sunday

The smoke-centric Southern restaurant Bare Bones has closed on Fayetteville Street in downtown Raleigh.

It has been open for a little more than a year.

Bare Bones announced the closing on its Facebook page and said Sunday was its last service.

Restaurant group Eschelon Experiences, owned by Gaurav “G” Patel, transformed the former Asian restaurant Zinda into Bare Bones last year, building a menu around ribs, burgers, smoked meats and southern snacks and sides.

Patel said Monday the closing is due to the high volume demands of a nearly 7,000-square-foot restaurant in downtown Raleigh.

“I think the Bare Bones concept is phenomenal and would consider doing this somewhere else,” Patel said. “The market loved the food and the atmosphere, but the sheer size of the space didn’t allow it to become profitable. We’re really sad for it to go.”

Between Zinda and Bare Bones, the company has controlled the space at 301-120 Fayetteville St., for more than seven years, but Patel said Monday it’s likely time to move on.

Eschelon also owns the cocktail bar The Haymaker in downtown Raleigh, sushi and steakhouse spot Mura in North Hils, among other restaurants.

Patel said Eschelon is finding jobs within its other restaurants for Bare Bones employees.

News & Observer restaurant critic Greg Cox gave Bare Bones a two and a half star review earlier this year, finding lots of potential in the restaurant’s smoked offerings, if somewhat inconsistent.

This story was originally published October 30, 2017 at 12:33 PM with the headline "This downtown Raleigh restaurant served its last meal Sunday."