Upscale Mexican restaurant, founded with a celebrity chef, has closed in Cary
Founded with a celebrity chef behind the menu, an ambitious Mexican restaurant in Cary has closed its doors after three years.
Owned by LM Restaurants and developed with Top Chef fan favorite Katsuji Tanabe, a’Verde Cocina announced Friday, Nov. 14, that it had closed. The restaurant group posted the message on its website and social media accounts.
“Thank you for supporting us,” the post reads. “After much reflection, we’ve made the very difficult decision to close a’Verde. Thank you to our friends and neighbors for your support.”
A’Verde Cocina was notable as Tanabe’s second restaurant opening in the Triangle, following the initial splash and closing of High Horse in downtown Raleigh.
Carolina Ale House owner LM Restaurant partnered with Tanabe to create the lively Mexican restaurant just outside of Raleigh.
When Tanabe closed High Horse in the summer of 2020 it was one of the highest profile closings in the Triangle from the COVID pandemic.
After the closing LM hired Tanabe as a chef in residence at the Glenwood restaurant Vidrio. Then in 2021, Tanabe and LM Restaurants started developing A’Verde Cocina, building the chef-driven Mexican hot spot in suburban Cary. The restaurant opened its doors in 2022 in a transformed former Wild Wing Cafe.
“It’s a good comeback story,” Tanabe said in 2022. “It just gave me back my confidence and the ability to enjoy and showcase my flavors. I come into this with a different mentality and way of seeing things, appreciating much more than years ago.”
A’Verde Cocina built on a wave in the Triangle of upscale Mexican restaurants, with vibrant margaritas, inventive plates like cornbread with honey truffle butter and artisanal tortillas for tacos.
More recently, Tanabe has left the group and opened a series of restaurants with restaurateur Anthony Rapillo, including plans for a revival of High Horse in RTP.
This isn’t the only brand shakeup planned for LM restaurants this year. The large hospitality group is set to unveil a new nightlife concept, Smash Social Club on Glenwood Avenue in Raleigh this month.
