Ziryab Will Become Horsefeather, A Project from Future Bar Alums

Prepare to say goodbye to Ziryab, as it transforms into a new concept by the name of Horsefeather. Hoodline reports that the new project comes from bartenders Justin Lew and Ian Scalzo (previously key players with Future Bars, the team behind Bourbon and Branch, Rickhouse and Tradition), who filed an application for an alcohol license transfer yesterday.

Soon-to-be-shuttered Ziryab underwent a revamp in 2013, with an interior remodel and the addition of a cocktail program from Zachary Taylor (Hog & Rocks), plus a very popular late-night menu. The cocktail program, which was designed to pair with the restaurant's Mediterranean style of cuisine, proved to be a hit with locals, possibly paving the way for what will now potentially be a fully cocktail-driven bar.

However, Lew, a longtime resident of the neighborhood, says the plan is to "keep the style of the neighborhood and make it approachable," rather than disrupt the neighborhood vibe with a high-concept cocktail bar. The partners plan to implement an "affordable" menu, with the possibility of late-night dining as well.

No word yet on what prompted co-owners Salim and Sameer Nasser to close the restaurant, but luckily for fans of Ziryab, the new project is still in the planning phase, meaning there's currently no concrete timeline for closure. That means there is plenty of time to stop in and say goodbye to the restaurant, which has been a neighborhood fixture for almost a decade.