Plane & Level Coastal, the popular aviator-themed fine dining restaurant in Fairhope, is closing its doors.

The closure was announced in a statement posted on the establishment's website and social media pages on Sept. 9, where they thanked patrons and the local community. In their statement, they said the decision to close was "not made lightly" and was not due to a lack of success or support.

Months after opening, founder Brian Culwell suddenly passed away, with his family, led by his wife, Amelia Culwell, and their children, continuing on.

"Despite unimaginable personal grief, she and her children poured everything they had into keeping this dream alive — not just as a business, but as a living tribute to resilience, family and beauty in the face of hardship," their statement reads.

However, they stated that recent events "involving individuals acting in pursuit of their own self-interest" forced Plane & Level Coastal to "either compromise those values or walk away with integrity. We chose the latter."

"This restaurant was built on heart, not ego. And while there will always be noise and speculation, let us be clear: this was not a failure. It was a conscious decision to protect something sacred, rather than surrender it to a process we believe was predatory and deeply misaligned with what Plane & Level Coastal stood for," the establishment said.

In his own statement posted on social media, Chef Orlando Amaro, culinary director for Plane & Level Coastal, said the decision to close was not his and was not under his control. He said he plans to continue working in Baldwin County and teased a new project coming.

"It has been an honor to create, alongside an incredible team, a culinary concept built with passion, discipline and love for gastronomy," Armaro said. "Your support, your loyalty and your enthusiasm confirm that the work we've done has been impeccable - and that the best is yet to come."

Opening in 2023, Plane & Level Coastal garnered glowing reviews, earning a reputation for its exceptional hospitality and diverse culinary offerings, having introduced a new Italian-style menu earlier this year. In 2024, Plane & Level was named as one of the best dining spots on the continent by Distinguished Restaurants of North America (DiRōNA).