The Heyward is No Longer Serving Grits and French Toast Sandwiches in Williamsburg

The Heyward — a Williamsburg bar/restaurant serving Southern fare — is now closed. The restaurant no longer accepts reservations on OpenTable, and its website displays a note about the closure, though it does not give a reason. The restaurant opened in late 2014 in the former Zebulon space at 258 Wythe Ave. It was known for South Carolina dishes like a hoppin’ John, shrimp and grits, and a ridiculous but highly regarded breakfast sandwich that featured ham, eggs, and fig jam on two slices of French toast. Eater critic Robert Sietsema called it "one of the best things we’ve tasted all year" in 2015, and in a review, he awarded the restaurant two stars — making it stand out in a neighborhood flush with "cleaned-up Southern" restaurants. Eater has reached out to the team and will update with more information.

Update: Owner Matthew Hechter of Select Hospitality and Design writes in an email to Eater that the company decided to sell the restaurant due to projects in California. His company recently took over the space of iconic West Hollywood restaurant Dominick's, which closed last December after 67 years in business. They are also developing three more restaurants in California. "Although we will miss our great regulars the focus on new endeavors out West led us to the decision to sell The Heyward," Hechter writes.

The Heyward french toast sandwich

• All Coverage of The Heyward [ENY]