No matter what you may think of the food, there's no denying that the nearly three decade old Las Alamedas -- that familiar pink stucco sight along Katy Freeway -- has one of the most beautiful spaces in town.  With soaring ceilings, intricate wrought iron, a gorgeous antique mahogany bar, expansive paintings hanging on broad walls and achingly beautiful views from its dining room onto the verdant bayou, you can at least rely on the scenery to be divine if you're eating there.

It seems now that the space and the restaurant itself might be in peril.  For several weeks, people have wondered why Las Alamedas suddenly shuttered.  Their dormant website is silent on the topic.  But Swamplot, the popular local real estate blog, and the Houston Business Journal have uncovered most of the dirt around the restaurant's unexpected closure.  So are their big wooden doors closed temporarily or not?

According to Swamplot, the troubles arose when the restaurant's old lease lapsed and a new one was negotiated.  Reportedly, the previous owner of the land (and the lease) recently passed away in a plane crash and the new owners increased the amount of Las Alamedas' monthly rent by 50%.

Jorge Sneider, the restaurant's owner, had indicated earlier this month that a settlement had been reached on the lease and that Las Alamedas would reopen on Feburary 6th.  However, since that date has come and gone, fans of the restaurant are getting nervous that the old institution on Voss may never reopen.

The Houston Business Journal reported more positive news today, however.  Sneider is hopeful that the lease will be finalized within the next few weeks and that Las Alamedas will once again be open for romantic dinners, anniversaries, proposals and their famous champagne brunches.

On the rather negative, off chance that they didn't reopen, however, what would you like to see opened in the space instead?