Vera, Fulton Market’s Charming Spanish Restaurant, Will Say Adios Next Week

Fulton Market keeps on changing, as restaurant owners Mark and Liz Mendez have announced that they will close Vera Wine Bar, 1023 W. Lake St., after their last service on July 29. The husband-and-wife team opened the space in 2011 and shared the news on Wednesday via Facebook.

Chef Mark Mendez, formerly of Carnivale, offered rustic — often inventive — takes on Spanish classics (tomato bread, piri piri sardines, crab-stuffed piquillo peppers). Liz Mendez, a sommelier, helped introduce a new generation of Chicagoans to the world of sherry. The space quickly became a romantic first-date favorite spot.

The work of keeping the space open for six years, however, took its toll on the couple. Mark Mendez acknowledged the grueling aspect of the restaurant business, telling the Tribune that “we just want to have more of a life. We're tired.”

Chicagoist first reported the shutter. See the Mendez’s full post below. Vera closes next week.