With the recent opening of Gio Taco downtown, local restaurateur Brian Metzger already has a lot on his plate, but he's also opening another new restaurant (at La Paloma) at closing another. After five years in business, Jax Kitchen on Oracle near Ina will be closing its doors on Sunday, February 16. A weekish later on February 21, Poppy Kitchen will open at La Paloma.

According to a press release, Poppy, part of a super-expensive renovation at La Paloma, will feature "a fusion of the flavors and flair that have defined the Metzger experience, with influences from other Metzger concepts Jax Kitchen, The Abbey and Gio Taco" and will seat 160 in a space designed by FORS Architecture and Interiors featuring a "main dining room, private dining room, bar and large panoramic patio."

On the Jax Kitchen front, the press release quotes Metzger:

“It’s a bittersweet moment to introduce something new and exciting while simultaneously saying goodbye to the one restaurant that started it all,” said Metzger. “We were facing the end of our lease period at Ina and Oracle, and spent a lot of time reflecting on what the future looked like for this company,” he continued, "and we decided that we needed to be more tightly focused on the company's growth brands. We'll forever celebrate the impact that Jax Kitchen had on our family and in this community."

More info about the Jax closing and Poppy's opening to come.