Resurrection of an icon.
Photo by Chuck Cook Photography
Formerly RDG + Bar Annie
When legendary Houston chef Robert Del Grande moved Cafe Annie to a new location in 2009, a rebranding into RDG + Bar Annie didn't exactly sit well with longtime regulars, who reportedly just continued to call it Cafe Annie. In 2016, Del Grande brought back the restaurant's classic logo and Southwestern dishes to the new space.
The restaurant, which has operated since 1981 and established Del Grande at the forefront of Southwestern cuisine as Houston's first Beard Award winner, is now broken up into three main sections, including the upscale Grill Room, the more affordable Bar Annie and the upscale casual Blvd Lounge.
One Fifth: Steak closed July 31 to revamp into its Romance Languages concept, but many are wondering if the interior will truly be redesigned.
Photo by Mai Pham
4. One Fifth: Romance Languages, 1658 Westheimer
Formerly One-Fifth Steak
In late July, chef and restaurateur Chris Shepherd closed One Fifth: Steak, the ragingly popular first incarnation of his eatery One Fifth, which will reconcept into five different eateries over the five years time. Yes, this is Houston's first reconcepting restaurant. One Fifth: Romance Languages plans to open by September 1, after just a month long hiatus to transform the entire restaurant into a new one.
While not much is known about the upcoming menu or digs, the Press recently reported that there won't be any radical changes to wine director Matthew Pridgen's program, but more neo-Latin wines that reflect the menu's pivot to European and Mediterranean cuisine will be available.
The bar at Alice Blue
Photo by Kirsten Gilliam
Formerly Shade
After 14 years as a Heights staple, known for its shrimp and grits and more Southern comfort fare, restaurateur Claire Smith decided to close up shop and do something fun. She opened Alice Blue, a new modern American bistro that welcomes back a handful of her former employees— an industry best-of staff really— including chef Kent Domas who turns out a menu of solid bistro fare, including housemade pastas and seasonal fare with a European bent. A shiny new bar program from Sean Jensen also updates the restaurant it factor.
2. Helen in the Heights, 1111 Studewood
Formerly Arthur Ave
Back in March, after just six full months in business, Helen Greek Food and Wine pulled the plug on its underperforming red gravy offshoot Arthur Ave Italian American, revamping into Greek taverna Helen in the Heights. After a quick month-long renovation chef William Wright and team reopened with a menu of Greek best hits and a more casual vibe than the Rice Village flagship.
“I honestly thought we’d face a much more uphill battle to right the wrongs,” Tim Faiola told the Press in June, which included creating a better restaurant "culture" and a vibe that's much more casual.
1. Peska Cocina Latina, 1700 Post Oak, #1-190
Formerly Peska Seafood Culture, Peska Seafood & Steak and Peskarne
“We’re trying to find our niche,” Peska consultant and owner of Grazia Italian Kitchen Adrian Hembree told the Press in July. “Can we sit and watch things unfold? There’s no time to do that. At this point, it’s about surviving. Every day is a new day.”
The restaurant, once helmed by chef protege Omar Pereney, and known for both its seafood market and high end seafood dishes (with a high end price tag) has rebranded with a ktichen now run by chef Chris Loftis- an alum of both the Killens and Hugo's restaurant groups— and a menu that's inspired by the cuisines of Mexican, in particular, those found at owner Maite Ysita's restaurants in Mexico City and Acapulco.
Also rebranded or rebranding:
Karma Kolache, 17415 FTM 529 Formerly Koala Kolache
Koala Kolache at 17415 Farm to Market 529 changed its name to Karma Kolache in May. The two-year-old breakfast shop has been known for its wide variety of kolaches, croissants and its take on the famed Dominique Ansel pastry, the Cronut.
Jimmy Chew Asian Kitchen, 1609 Westheimer
Perhaps the strangest rebranding news in sometime has been about this late night Chinese spot on Westheimer that offered a $20 lobster special. The owner went on The Cleverley Show in June, according to CultureMap, to explain that the restaurant had shuttered but now has a new unnamed hotshot chef on board and is currently looking for investors to help reconcept and reopen.
