Montrose Restaurant And Bar Scene - More Coming

[Mick]

I've seen this bar/club mentioned on this site, in the "Montrose" section.

Lynn Hornaday was one of the owners of the bar, and I worked with Lynn at a downtown stockbrokerage house, during the period when she and Marion were getting the bar up and running.

I moved to Australia early 80's and had lost contact with Lynn long before that.

Does anyone know Lynn's whereabouts? Is she still in Houston? She was from South Texas originally, if memory serves me correctly.

Thanks!

Mick

[EastEnd Susan]

I've seen this bar/club mentioned on this site, in the "Montrose" section.

Lynn Hornaday was one of the owners of the bar, and I worked with Lynn at a downtown stockbrokerage house, during the period when she and Marion were getting the bar up and running.

I moved to Australia early 80's and had lost contact with Lynn long before that.

Does anyone know Lynn's whereabouts? Is she still in Houston? She was from South Texas originally, if memory serves me correctly.

Thanks!

Mick

I lost track of everyone right after Marion was killed. Very sweet people.

[musicman]

Police are trying to catch a couple of restaurant robbers who have been terrorizing customers in the Lower Westheimer area.

Vera Wolf and at least a dozen others have been robbed at gunpoint since early December.

The suspect demands purses, wallets, cash and cell phones.

full story

[tmariar]

I heard about that, but can't play the video in the story. Does it say what restaurants have been hit? From the small map, it looks like a much broader area than what I'd call Lower Westheimer.

[sevfiv]

I agree - from the crummy map, I'd say that it encompasses way more than lower Westheimer. But we are sticklers here

I can't get the video to play in Firefox -or- IE.

[musicman]

I heard about that, but can't play the video in the story. Does it say what restaurants have been hit? From the small map, it looks like a much broader area than what I'd call Lower Westheimer.

some of the people were out on the restaurant patios when they were robbed. it didn't mention any specific restaurants so customers wouldn't be scared off most likely.

Edited January 24, 2008 by musicman

[ricco67]

First off, let me just say that KTRH and some of the other news sites' new formats really annoy me. I much rather read the news and see the video, I'd like an option.

Secondly, from what I can see it looks like they hit a number of places On west gray (One's a meal, Barnaby's maybe?). On the other end they seem to have hit the Wendy's, the other SEEMS like it might be the Brown Bag.

As far as the others in "Lower Westheimer" seem like they possibly hit including (from what I can surmise) is Niko Niko's, Ming's, or another I can't think of.

It's definitely a lousy map.

[musicman]

Secondly, from what I can see it looks like they hit a number of places On west gray (One's a meal, Barnaby's maybe?).

from the west grey curve location, it looks like some places are east of that so it would be more farrago-esque, front porch, etc.

[Zippy]

Someone with a CCL could take care of this problem pretty easily.

[west20th]

Someone with a CCL could take care of this problem pretty easily.

Wonder if the "Pink Pistols" are still active.

[Vertigo58]

or the Guardian Angels

[west20th]

or the Guardian Angels

Not in Houston, I think. Q-patrol is gone too.

[sevfiv]

I remember Q-patrol - haven't seen it around the last few years...lack of volunteers maybe

[ToolMan]

I hope they find my wallet. It's the on the says Bad Mother Fu****

Edited January 26, 2008 by ToolMan

[houstonmacbro]

As the economy worsens I think we'll see an uptick in crimes.

[Urbannomad]

I saw some Guardian Angels walking around 19th st in the Heights a couple of weeks ago with their red berets on. Of course they didn't exactly look like the toughest or sanest people themselves so it didn't' make me feel any safer, but it did give me a laugh to see how seriously they were taking themselves. Seems likes those kinds of groups always attracted the most "interesting" characters.

[Vertigo58]

I saw some Guardian Angels walking around 19th st in the Heights a couple of weeks ago with their red berets on. Of course they didn't exactly look like the toughest or sanest people themselves so it didn't' make me feel any safer, but it did give me a laugh to see how seriously they were taking themselves. Seems likes those kinds of groups always attracted the most "interesting" characters.

That it certainly did!. Background checks were hardly suggested.

[Zippy]

Looks like there will be more townhomes/apartments coming.. I always enjoyed a fine evening at Vino Bistro.. I'm very sad to see it close.

http://swamplot.com/bistro-vino-the-honeym...ver/2008-07-17/

http://www.bistrovino.net/

[sevfiv]

That's a shame - I consider it an asset to the neighborhood

the Chronicle article:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headli...iz/5892134.html

[capnmcbarnacle]

That's a shame - I consider it an asset to the neighborhood

the Chronicle article:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headli...iz/5892134.html

Bummer. I always liked this place. I went there for dinner the day I got engagd and had my wedding rehearsal dinner there. It was a cool joint. I wish I could go one last time. Sigh.

[Anjie0301]

My dad was the piano player there on Thursday nights. (Joe Nettles). He'd been there for about 15-18 years along with one of the bartenders and a few more. He still plays parties and has an after school music program that he teaches, but he's mostly retired. It's kinda sad because it was a nice place. He'd played other places around town like Brennans (right after I was born), and Vargos, etc.. but he'd been at the Bistro the longest.

In '87, he had an album out and also did some soundtrack work for a movie. I recall him starting the Bistro gig shortly after that.

It closed two weeks ago. He said that the owner said that business was slow and had been for a while.....in addition to the high taxes.

My dad always has his eye on the future and loves to stay busy. ....nevertheless, the Bistro will be missed by a lot of folks.

Edited July 18, 2008 by Anjie0301

[dbigtex56]

Chip, chip, chip....

And another piece of Montrose disappears.

[samiamj]

This establishment was a memorable first date. I remember they had a jazz singer who played the piano. Her voice was angelic and I ordered duck salad and ravioli. That was 8 years ago and I am surpised that I haven't been there since then. What was I thinking? I will miss this charming bistro.

[Zippy]

We've had the various date-night dinner there, as well as the occasional professional organization Christmas party there.. We'd make it about once a year for a treat..

Wonder if there is interest in opening in a different location? (Heights maybe? )

[lockmat]

Nancy is back from vacay:

More details have surfaced about the sale of Bistro Vino at 819 W. Alabama.

Last week's story said a residential developer bought the Montrose-area eatery and an adjacent parcel from its longtime owner who sold because the taxes had gotten too high.

Group LSR, which develops condominium buildings here under the InnerLoopCondos.com brand, purchased the site.

Developer Ben Lemieux said the company isn't likely to make a decision on what to develop there until next spring.

"The condo market is challenging right now," he said, referring to the ability for buyers to get financing. "But there's still a lot of people who want to live in condos and want this as a lifestyle."

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/busine...ff/5896453.html

Group LSR: http://www.lsrmanagement.com/main.html

Edited July 20, 2008 by lockmat

[trymahjong]

Dean's Credit Clothing has begun preparing to move into the new constructed building on Fairview and Morgan---meeting with local civic asso and contracting for additional parking at the cotton exchange--but i was wondering with ziggy's and boheme so close --meteror to the east---baby barnaby's and the country bar to the west----can this little neighborhood support another bar?

[musicman]

so are they actually moving or is this just another location?

[dbigtex56]

Dean's Credit Clothing has begun preparing to move into the new constructed building on Fairview and Morgan---meeting with local civic asso and contracting for additional parking at the cotton exchange--but i was wondering with ziggy's and boheme so close --meteror to the east---baby barnaby's and the country bar to the west----can this little neighborhood support another bar?

Are they closing their current location, or will this be Dean's II?

Parking seems to be a limiting factor. A few years ago, Montrose had a younger, poorer, more adventurous population. Many people didn't have cars, and bars could do a decent business with a (literal) walk-in trade. Things have changed - just look at the area surrounding the Pacific Street strip. Several buildings have been razed to provide parking for out-of-neighborhood patrons. People who want The Montrose Experience are more likely to commute these days, and the bars have had to provide parking to accomodate them.

Parking at the Cotton Exchange? The Cotton Exchange I'm familiar with is at least a couple miles from Fairview and Morgan, in downtown Houston.

The proximity of other bars shouldn't be a problem. They're not in direct competition. You won't find many Ripcord people at Meteor, or vice-versa.

I imagine the neighborhood associations will be taking a long, hard look. There has been an influx of people who want the glamour of 'the bohemian neighborhood', but without, you know, those darn bohemians.

[trymahjong]

Are they closing their current location, or will this be Dean's II?

Parking seems to be a limiting factor. A few years ago, Montrose had a younger, poorer, more adventurous population. Many people didn't have cars, and bars could do a decent business with a (literal) walk-in trade. Things have changed - just look at the area surrounding the Pacific Street strip. Several buildings have been razed to provide parking for out-of-neighborhood patrons. People who want The Montrose Experience are more likely to commute these days, and the bars have had to provide parking to accomodate them.

Parking at the Cotton Exchange? The Cotton Exchange I'm familiar with is at least a couple miles from Fairview and Morgan, in downtown Houston.

The proximity of other bars shouldn't be a problem. They're not in direct competition. You won't find many Ripcord people at Meteor, or vice-versa.

I imagine the neighborhood associations will be taking a long, hard look. There has been an influx of people who want the glamour of 'the bohemian neighborhood', but without, you know, those darn bohemians.

this is supposed to be a second location for Dean's--and the cotton exchange is that old old building across the street that repairs extra long trucks---Dean's will only use that parking lot after the business closes--but one of the worries is that lots of times tow trucks will just leave those disabled trucks in the parking lot at night---

[capnmcbarnacle]

There has been an influx of people who want the glamour of 'the bohemian neighborhood', but without, you know, those darn bohemians.

Don't be so oppressive toward the newcomers.

Shouldn't a man be free to live in a turreted Bexar-meets-Bordeaux ranch chateau among an "ecclectic" mix of shops and restaurants without the constant sight of what Homer Simpson called "lousy beatniks?"

[trymahjong]

guess the bohemes and gentrifications and whoever else makes avondale their homes are satisfied that deans won't be too negative an impact on neighborhood or parking etcetc------------dean's has asked for a "late night permit" what ever that is-------- everything seems set to move forward---TNT will lease out their parking to dean's after they have closed---never heard of that before--how will you know those cars are going to dean's? i know plenty who park there and go to ziggy's---and "jewels" has closed---sad since that little strip could have been a funky little magnet for other retail--maybe? but guess everyone will pounce on that parking space also---i was told that "boheme" the wine bar/cafe (althought it doesn't serve food and is mainly full bar not just wine) got a $$$ fine for setting up tables in their limited parking spaces---now those tables on side and in back and new parking next door in front of scuplture house---

and now there is interest in the older building across the street---fairview and morgan---used to be a post office? the talk is that is was tied up in divorce thing--now divorce thing settled (?)--maybe another bar in the future?

there used to be a railroad that lead to the fairgrounds on fairview--one of the bars on crocket and fairview still has a loading dock--- the folks at the avondale historic architecture tour --have come up with pictures of the trolley car that made a left turn at taft and ran rail towards first montrose commons--

i love finding out all these little details---

[Domelover]

Thanks for the info, that's pretty interesting. I'd been meaning to check out Dean's for some time now, and I guess pretty soon they'll come to me! The truck shop (the cotton exchange, it's called?) often leaves huge flatbeds, buses, and other vehicles in their lot overnight, as there's really no other place to put them. On weekends the TNT strip's parking is packed, and in fact people parallel park all up and down Taft. There are about 6 bars and restaurants on the Fairview/Hyde Park drag and none of them have much parking to speak of, yet they seem to be doing well. I went in Boheme briefly on Saturday and it was stupid-packed, couldn't get any service from the amateur bartenders. Dean's ought to fit in nicely, and hey, you won't have to go far for your drugs or bj needs.

[infinite_jim]

It's likely to attract my crowd, and "we are the music makers, we are the dreamers of dreams"

This is more a consolidation of bohemians opposed to what you fear, but parking will be an issue I'm sure of it.

[plumber2]

Are they closing their current location, or will this be Dean's II?

Parking seems to be a limiting factor. A few years ago, Montrose had a younger, poorer, more adventurous population. Many people didn't have cars, and bars could do a decent business with a (literal) walk-in trade. Things have changed - just look at the area surrounding the Pacific Street strip. Several buildings have been razed to provide parking for out-of-neighborhood patrons. People who want The Montrose Experience are more likely to commute these days, and the bars have had to provide parking to accomodate them.

Parking at the Cotton Exchange? The Cotton Exchange I'm familiar with is at least a couple miles from Fairview and Morgan, in downtown Houston.

The proximity of other bars shouldn't be a problem. They're not in direct competition. You won't find many Ripcord people at Meteor, or vice-versa.

I imagine the neighborhood associations will be taking a long, hard look. There has been an influx of people who want the glamour of 'the bohemian neighborhood', but without, you know, those darn bohemians.

"The Cotton Exchange" is just a play on words for a second hand clothing store I presume, not the downtown former commodities trade building.

[sevfiv]

There are some banners on the fence now advertising restaurant equipment liquidation

[cwrm4]

Heard from a reliable source that the Bistro Vino building has be released by the new owner. 3 year lease, possibly for restaurant. But, no renewal option on the lease.

I suspect the existing kitchen equipment in there is quite old and worn-out.

Edited September 5, 2008 by cwrm4

[lockmat]

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nb/hei...ws/6046997.html

The salmon-hued building and former residence at 819 W. Alabama, home to the Bistro Vino restaurant for 24 years, is expected to be the site in about two years of a nine- to 11-story condominium.

The facility will include more than 80 condominiums priced from $190,000 to $400,000.

[sevfiv]

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nb/hei...ws/6046997.html

Just what we need. Gross.

[OkieEric]

Just what we need. Gross.

maybe it will be another riparian

Bistro Vino must have lost some trees from Ike, since it is now very visible from W Alabama. Still disappointed that I never tried it

[LTAWACS]

Hrm...

[dbigtex56]

From the article:

"The short questionnaire that has appeared on the company

[therepguy]

Looks like there will be more townhomes/apartments coming.. I always enjoyed a fine evening at Vino Bistro.. I'm very sad to see it close.

http://swamplot.com/bistro-vino-the-honeym...ver/2008-07-17/

http://www.bistrovino.net/

Your quote hit the nail right on ...based on recent events... its a keeper!

[dbigtex56]

"The Cotton Exchange" is just a play on words for a second hand clothing store I presume, not the downtown former commodities trade building.

Cotton Brothers Inc. (400 Fairview) is a blue corrugated metal building near the northwest corner of Fairview and Morgan.

It has nothing to do with the Cotton Exchange or clothing. They fix brakes on big trucks.

Any further word on Dean's II? I'm not clear as to which building is (was) under consideration. Is it the brick one, on the northeast corner? Or the formerly brick one on the southeast corner, which has been remuddled beyond recognition?

[trymahjong]

Cotton Brothers Inc. (400 Fairview) is a blue corrugated metal building near the northwest corner of Fairview and Morgan.

It has nothing to do with the Cotton Exchange or clothing. They fix brakes on big trucks.

Any further word on Dean's II? I'm not clear as to which building is (was) under consideration. Is it the brick one, on the northeast corner? Or the formerly brick one on the southeast corner, which has been remuddled beyond recognition?

Dean's is a green and cream buiding that is having the interior second story torn out for a high ceiling main floor and building a

roof top bar--with a pretty good view of downtown--

they've gotten their liquor permits and signed "good neighbor" papers with the residents assoc-- how soon will they open? hmmmmmmm haven't heard--but a lot of the gossip at the green market was about BABY BARNABY'S moving into the vacated market on taft and fairview---any info on that?

[trymahjong]

there might be a another bar at morgan and fairview-- have you seen the renovations of the old post office building? i hear that the owner of boheme is renovating upstairs for apartments and down stairs for cafe/bar/? space ------the parking nightmare will only get worse

[dachmation]

Interesting--

when you live in the neighborhood-- you hear things-- I've heard Boheme's liquor license is up for renewal and the local neighborhood civic isn't happy with the parking, traffic and noise issues-- apparently the owner of Boheme charmed the assoc with promises of back yard parking --full front parking and off site parking-so no protest would be lodged in 2007-

-the parking problems has only gotten worse since Dean's apparently "lost" the agreement to park off hours at the Cotton Brothers lot across the street- and ziggy's is still tied up in court with the lot owners (next to reeves antiques) -and the lot across the street will be "tenant only" or the "new " cafe? -a nightmare-- if you live in the apartments there and depend on "on" street parking----you really get fed up -- fast-- plus the lack of parking makes the amount of circling cars searching for available parking--another nightmare--

i'm thinking the civic club will be wondering if Boheme makes good on the parking promises or a mass mailing to TABC + COH permits might be in the future-- will that be beneficial? who knows-- but probably will be replayed later as Ziggy's and Dean's come up for renewal-- what ever happens traffic will still be a nightmare

Edited July 15, 2009 by dachmation

[htownproud]

this is truly upsetting. i live a few blocks away and love that this area is finally becoming a truly walkable area. having previously lived in chicago and new york, i can tell you (although I'm surprised that I need to) that parking is an issue when you live in true city. if your apartment doesn't provide parking, and you don't want to pay for it otherwise, then you are often stuck driving around looking for places or walking a distance. this why people pay premiums for apartments with parking.

im shaking my head at this unfortunate development.

[names]

Having been a patron to both bars mentioned in the thread, I did not find any difficulty finding parking within a couple blocks of the establishments on busy weekend nights. There is plenty of on street parking north and south of Fairview along Morgan in the neighborhood.

Why does the code call for commercial use properties to have so much on site parking? It seems like prescriptive coding for suburbanization, which is good only if the area was to undergo a Haussmann type of recapitalization but I seriously don't think this area is a supertall candidate in any regard as is.

The on street parking is a positive development for the pedestrian environment, and I find accounts of the parking problem disingenuous & more so a perceived problem by the neighborhood in order for them to stymie and control their neighbor's property.

[musicman]

The on street parking is a positive development for the pedestrian environment, and I find accounts of the parking problem disingenuous

the few times i've been to boheme, some of the patrons do park without regard to the neighborhood. this puts new meaning to the phrase on street parking.

[dachmation]

i live close to these bars and somedays are better than others when it comes to parking hassles --but the "other" days can be horrible--blocking sidewalks. parking up to the stop sign so you can't see oncoming traffic, or bumpers sticking way into your driveway--mainly tho-- it's coming home each day to the hassle of searching for on street parking by your apartment--when you attended a civic meeting and the owner of the bar aknowledged the parking "nightmare situation" and made promises --not to complicate it further

here is the COH code-- you can do the math as you gauge the square footage of Boheme, Dean's and Ziggy's-- now of course there's Pinot and Picasso on taft--it's funny but if you talk to any of thse owners they all refer/allude to TNT's parking as a resource--that might add up to 7 spaces total--still not enough to cover the requirements of each as set down by COH

http://www.municode....id=10123&sid=43

chap 26--art vIII division 2 class 7 =>10.0 spaces for every 1,000 square feet of GFA and outdoor decks, patio and/or seating areas

could it get worse? another rumor has the owner of "hungry's" buying the former market at taft anf fairview and wanting to put in a chinese restaurant---

Edited July 16, 2009 by dachmation