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This thread was originally created May 28, 2017. I'm reposting / reupping this because this post and other content from me are no longer available on the forum due to a mod removing my account and its content in "error" (supposedly). An archive link of the thread before its deletion is coming soon. 1801 North Shepherd was the location of Salmex Auto & Truck Sales for years. It later became Treadsack's Hunky Dory and Bernadine's, now closed. Construction photos of the space here: https://houston.eater.com/2014/12/24/7447677/bernadines-and-hunky-dory-construction-underway https://houston.eater.com/2015/2/11/8018615/hunky-dory-and-bernadines-construction-coming-right-along https://swamplot.com/foreign-correspondents-hunky-dory-smashing-car-lots-on-shepherd-now/2014-02-12/ Other discussions about it here: http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/search/?q=dory&type=forums_topic&nodes=10&sortby=newest http://i.imgur.com/goiJgLe.jpg

This was in the previous thread for 1801 N Shepherd Dr. It's being reposted / reupped since the original thread and other content from me were removed. Originally posted by Crockpotandgravel, August 22, 2017 in the thread for 1801 N Shepherd Dr. Ford Fry is taking over the Hunky Dory and Bernadine built out space at 1801 N Shepherd, opening a Tex Mex restaurant and another restaurant. The Tex-Mex restaurant will be Superica as Eater Houston speculated several times this summer. He's also opening a seafood restaurant in the adjacent space, which may be The Optimist. From CultureMap: After a couple of months of rumors and speculation, State of Grace owner Ford Fry has made it official. The native Houstonian-turned-Atlanta-based-restaurateur will open a Tex-Mex restaurant called Superica and a casual seafood-oriented restaurant in the Heights restaurant spaces formerly occupied by Hunky Dory and Bernadine’s. Slated to open in the first quarter of 2018, Houston’s Superica will take over Bernadine’s. Fry will expand the seating capacity slightly by incorporating the space currently allocated to the private dining room. Design changes will give both spaces a more casual look that keeps with the Tex-Mex atmosphere without resorting to cliches like pinatas hanging from the ceiling. ...Superica’s atmosphere will help differentiate it from Houston’s numerous Tex-Mex options. Fry channeled the Hill Country as inspiration for State of Grace’s design, and he wants Superica to have a bit of an Austin vibe that takes advantage of the space’s spacious patios and features live music on the weekends. http://houston.culturemap.com/news/restaurants-bars/08-22-17-ford-fry-superica-tex-mex-heights/

This was originally posted May 28, 2017 in the previous thread for 1801 N Shepherd Dr. It's being reposted / reupped since the original thread and other content from me were removed. Houston Heights, a blog and Facebook run by a realtor Allen Jimenez, is floating the rumor that Ford Fry, the chef who owns State of Grace and other restaurants in Atlanta, has leased the property. Supposedly, another State of Grace is opening there or another Fry concept: State of Grace will be taking over the Hunky Dory / Bernadine's location at 18th and Shepherd. The Riveroak's venue will reinvent the space, menu, and ambiance. They are a 4 Star location according to Yelp, and it looks like their menu leans more on the seafood side, so if you love seafood this may be the place to go in the Houston Heights. http://www.thehoustonheights.org/2017/05/state-of-grace-take-over-hunky-dory.html https://www.facebook.com/HomesOfHeights/posts/847740765374739

http://houston.culturemap.com/news/restaurants-bars/09-29-15-everythings-finally-hunky-dory-as-restaurateurs-get-ready-to-open-three-highly-anticipated-eateries/ http://www.chron.com/entertainment/restaurants-bars/article/First-look-Hunky-Dory-restaurant-ready-to-wow-6536202.php I peaked in the window at the Hunky Dory/Bernadine's building. Hsu's design is stunning. Also peaking in the Foreign Correspondents build out, they have some fun murals on the wall. I hope it is more accessible in terms of an easy place to get in and out for a weeknight dinner without blowing out your budget for the week. Hunky Dory and Bernadine's definitely look to be very pricey, which is understandable given the cash they put down on building out from the ground up. But Foreign Correspondents is going in an existing space. Hopefully that will allow them to have a more moderately priced menu. Lee's Fried Chicken and Donuts is supposed to be doing a soft opening in the next few weeks. 8 Row Flint looks to be close to completing its build out but no word on an opening schedule. Southern Goods, Ka Sushi and Black and White are all up and running.

Richard Knight is taking over Harold's in the Heights. I liked Chef Ware, but thought that he was phoning it in the past year or two. The menu was a bit watered down (no Beaufort stew) and a little like a high end Luby's. Richard Knight is the best and deserves a good break after the clowns running Treadsack submarined Hunky Dory. http://houston.culturemap.com/news/restaurants-bars/03-01-18-harolds-heights-new-chef-richard-knight-feast-hunky-dory-alli-jarrett/#slide=0

Hunky Dory and Bernadine's are owned by a separate entity from Down House and the rest of the currently surviving Treadsack establishments. They could now convert Hunky Dory and Bernadine's bankruptcy into a Chap 7 from an 11 and lighten their load by a lot. It is sad because but for the mismanagement these restaurants should have been able to be around for a long time. At least they leave behind some nice architecture for someone else to make a go at it.

Hunky Dory and Bernadine's closing! http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2017/05/18/hunky-dory-and-bernadines-to-close-in-the-heights.html?ana=RSS%26s=article_search

This was originally posted October 17, 2016 in the previous thread for Java Java @ 911 W 11th St. It's being reposted / reupped since the original thread and other content from me were removed. Change of plans after lawsuit filed No more 60 Pioneers but this will be Presidio with Adam Dorris. From Houston Chronicle: Just last week came news that chef Lyle Bento was suing his Southern Goods partner, Charles Bishop, with whom he had planned to open 60 Pioneers this fall in the former Java Java space, at 911 W. 11th Street in the Heights. In the wake of that split, Pax American chef Adam Dorris will team up with Bishop to open a restaurant called Presidio in that space instead. Contractor Taylor Lee, another partner with Bishop in Southern Goods and Ladybird's, is the third member of the Presidio triumvirate, overseeing the extensive remodeling of the 1940s building. Expect a more casual version of Dorris' s cuisine at Pax, which was rated Houston's number 6 restaurant on the Chronicle's recently released list of Houston's Top 100 Restaurants. The full bar of 20 regional and national beers on tap, cocktails and wine will be curated by Bishop, who's known for his beverage work at such venues as Liberty Bar and Cottonwood. They're promising "everyday food" seven days a week in an atmosphere likened to a"Texas food hall" coupled with a neighborhood bar, all augmented by 4000 square feet of patio space for dining and live music — a Bishop signature. So what will the food be like? Dorris's trademark bold flavors will meet some Southern ideas and carefully sourced ingredients in daytime sandwiches, salads and vegetable dishes. Dorris's skills with charcuterie, salumi and fermentation will get some play. At night, look for Dorris's take on Texas and regional classics, including some dishes that hearken back to his childhood. Presidio will be open continuously and daily, from 10:30 a.m. to midnight Monday through Saturday, and 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday. They're aiming for a late November opening. And Dorris wants to make one thing clear: he remains Executive Chef/Partner at Pax Americana and the driving force behind the restaurant. He recently promoted the talented Martha Wilcox de León to Chef de Cuisine, and she'll continue to run the Pax kitchen daily. Dorris has also hired Daniel Blue, former sous chef at Hunky Dory, to round out his kitchen management team at Pax. Interesting historical note: Blue and Dorris started culinary school on the same day in the same class. http://www.houstonchronicle.com/entertainment/restaurants-bars/article/Adam-Dorris-Charles-Bishop-team-up-on-Presidio-9976909.php

This was in the previous thread for 1801 N Shepherd Dr. It's being reposted / reupped since the original thread and other content from me were removed. Originally posted by crockpotandgravel, September 1., 2018 in the thread for 1801 N Shepherd Dr. La Lucha and Superica restaurant at 1801 N Shepherd in Houston are opening September 17. The side-by-side spots will occupy the space at 1801 North Shepherd Drive, formerly occupied by Hunky Dory and Bernadine’s. Superica, a Tex-Mex spot that first opened in Atlanta, will serve classics like queso, tamales, and tacos, along with margaritas like the Matador, made with pineapple and cilantro. Non-alcoholic libations, including jamaica tea and agua frescas, will also be on offer. He may be bringing sand to the desert with Superica — Houston has plenty of excellent Tex-Mex institutions — but perhaps Fry’s status as a native Houstonian will earn him some extra credibility from the city’s diners. Next door, La Lucha will serve as an homage to Fry’s beloved San Jacinto Inn, where he dined as a child. The brand new restaurant will occupy 4,000 square feet and boasts an outdoor area that will offer lawn bowling and patio seating. As far as the menu is concerned, diners can look forward to dishes like Gulf oysters, chicken fried to order, and burgers. Perhaps most importantly, La Lucha will stay open late on Saturdays and Sundays. Both La Lucha and Superica will arrive on September 17. https://houston.eater.com/2018/8/15/17693338/ford-fry-superica-la-lucha-open-heights-houston-september-2018

This was in the previous thread for 1801 N Shepherd Dr. It's being reposted / reupped since the original thread and other content from me were removed. Originally posted by Angostura, February 8., 2018 in the thread for 1801 N Shepherd Dr. The Ford Fry concept going into the former Hunky Dory/Bernadines space will be called "La Lucha", an homage to the former San Jacinto Inn, serving gulf coast seafood and fried chicken.

This was in the previous thread for 1801 N Shepherd Dr. It's being reposted / reupped since the original thread and other content from me were removed. Originally posted by s3mh, August 24, 2017 in the thread for 1801 N Shepherd Dr. It was designed by Michael Hsu. He is pretty much the gold standard for retail/restaurant architects in Texas. http://hsuoffice.com/project/hunky-dory-bernadines/

This was in the previous thread for 1801 N Shepherd Dr. It's being reposted / reupped since the original thread and other content from me were removed. Originally posted by s3mh, August 24, 2017 in the thread for 1801 N Shepherd Dr. I have not, but I am from Atlanta and still have family there. I have been to Ford Fry's restaurants in Atlanta. He is a brilliant chef and it is nice that he is expanding back to where he grew up. But the Superica concept is very noisy/casual with kitschy stuff on the walls. You can put it anywhere. The old Hunky Dory/Bernadine's space could be so much more than a TexMex place.

Looks like Hunky Dory is getting started. http://swamplot.com/foreign-correspondents-hunky-dory-smashing-car-lots-on-shepherd-now/2014-02-12/

Shade and Glass Wall are closed. Both are being retooled. Shade will be "Alice Blue", a more trendy venue. Glass Wall will try a more casual concept. Something has got to give at Treadsack. Graham Laborde jumped ship. Bernadine's was his creation and he got his dad involved in propping up the restaurant when everything hit the fan. Richard Knight left Hunky Dory and it has not been the same. I doubt that those concepts can survive too long without big talent in the kitchen. And no big name chef is going to come on board until the company emerges from bankruptcy. A bit of a catch 22. https://houston.eater.com/2017/5/15/15641640/treadsack-chefs-leaving-graham-laborde-richard-knight

Yes, opening that many concepts in a year is a strain on resources, especially since, given how long it takes to get a restaurant permitted, there is a lot of cash drain before you see your first dollar in revenue. But putting your nanny and a bunch of family members on corp payroll, especially when the company is almost certainly cash flow negative, is super shady. Sounds like they had a lot of OPM (other people's money), but not quite enough. Based on their typical reservation availability, Bernadine's is almost certainly making money, and Hunky Dory is probably at least breaking even. Canard seemed to be doing pretty brisk business on the times I had been there, but probably not enough to cover the cost of the entire leased space (operationally, Canard/FC was basically a single space). I'm not a frequent enough visitor to JGB to judge.

The spot where 18 hands gallery on 19th just closed has a TABC private club notice up. The business entity has a d/b/a of "We Olive", which is also the name of a wine bar/specialty olive oil retailer in Austin that looks to be set up to franchise the concept. Just tracing the bread crumbs at this point and not confirmed. Proprietors are from the neighborhood. With rents going through the roof, I can understand the trend of going with "it worked in Austin" versus taking a chance on a new concept. But the way new places like Southern Goods and the Bernadines/Hunky Dory compound are printing money, I wonder whether the bigger risk is transplanting a ready-made concept. I also wonder what is going on with Alli's pizzeria. They are just phoning it in. They have sucked me in with the kid friendly stuff. But there is no way they can keep it going once Il Cane Rosso and Mellow Mushroom open.

Town in City's tap room is now open Wed-Sun. Southern Goods is having a soft opening this weekend with limited hours (looks like mostly barbcue for lunch) Ka Sushi and Black and White are built out, staffing up and should be open before the end of the month. Build outs are well underway at the Revival ice house concept, the Treadsack trio (Foreign Correspondents, Bernadine's and Hunky Dory) and Lee's Fried Chicken and Donuts. Alabama Furniture is getting the boot to make way for the new Braun development that looks to have Bernie's Burger Bus as a tenant.

Hugs and Donuts completed a soft opening and will finally have their grand opening soon. It is impressive to look at the list of restaurants currently underway in the Heights: Southern Goods Hunky Dory Foreign Correspondents Bernadine's Ka Sushi Pho Binh Ollie's Fried Chicken Black and White Revival Ice House/Taco Stand Cane Russo And if you stretch the boundaries a bit you can add the Indian place opening at the old Mozelle's location.

There is a TABC application notice up at 4706 N. Main. Have not heard anything else and cannot tell anything from the business entity on the notice. Also, the rumor mill has officially thrown Treadshack (Down House, Hunky Dory, etc.) into the mix as a possible successor to the Boom Boom Room space.

Foreign Correspondents will not be located with Hunky Dory. A seafood restaurant called Bernadine's will replace the Thai portion of the two restaurants in one building concept on 18th street.

Chicken Ranch opens Sunday in the spot on N. Main that used to be Bellissimo. A 2nd Cup coffee will be going brick and mortar in the storefront next to Andy's at 1111 E. 11th. I think they are finalizing lease terms. Los Cucos Signature is opening as soon as final city permits come in. They are built out and staffed up. Sale Sucre told the Leader that they have closed the White Oak location and are looking to reopen in the Heights in a new location with a different name. Foreign Correspondents/Hunky Dory is moving a lot of dirt and in full swing for construction finally. Not in the Heights, but if you are a coffee nerd, you should head over to Paper Co. Coffee in the 1st Ward. They are roasting in house and make great coffee (easily on par with Catalina, Boomtown, etc.). They are in a repurposed warehouse on Elder across the street from the old Jefferson Hospital/Elder St. Artist Lofts. You take Dart from Houston Ave and follow it around to Elder. The entrance to the coffee shop is in the back. The building also houses an art gallery and church. I think they are intending to have a café with food eventually, but are currently just doing pop up dinners. It is a really nice space to relax and have your favorite caffeine fix. So far, it has not been infested with hipsters setting up office with their laptops everywhere.

I have not been to Skinny Ritas, but know a lot of folks who have. Praise has been universal and strong. Creative menu, good drinks and very vegetarian friendly/healthy without getting all caught up in the douchy "Fresh Mex" thing that is all over Austin. I did try Alli's Pizzeria. Heights General Store downsized the grocery into the hallway on the west side of the store and has dedicated the east side of the first floor to the new pizzeria. I have to say that it is very good. For $8-10, you can get a personal sized pizza that is fairly close to a Neapolitan style pizza (very thin crust). Beats Collina's pizza by a mile. It is quick too, as the pizzas are cooked under high heat and it is counter service. The do serve beer and wine, too. This is a great place to go to when you do not feel like cooking and do not want to deal with the crowds/prices of places like Down House, LKHH, etc. Also, if you just haven't been able to get high end pop up dinners from talented local chef's served in a Shell station, you will be excited to learn that your wait is over. The folks behind Down House and DT are doing a series of pop up dinners at the soul food restaurant at the Shell station on the corner of Yale and Crosstimbers. No, really. I am not making this up: http://blog.chron.com/foodchronicles/2014/08/chef-richard-knight-to-inagurate-new-kipper-club-test-kitchen/#26014101=0 I have also heard that Hunky Dory/Foreign Correspondents are finally getting permits and should be breaking ground soon.

I think the Hunky Dory ownership is the same as the Down House. They already know the private club license routine.

Either "Hunky Dory" and "farm to table Thai" in the same phrase is good satire or we're doomed by our own pretentiousness in one square block. I'm putting a bird on it.

http://treadsack.com/news/foreign-correspondents/ The plans now include a farm to table Thai restaurant to share the same property as Hunky Dory.