IntheKnowHouston Posted April 21, 2022 Share Posted April 21, 2022 I am not certain if the building at 1947 West Gray St has a name, but it's labeled as 1947 W Gray on marketing and leasing materials. This property is across the street from the River Oaks Shopping Center and the Driscoll at River Oaks. Apart from its proximity to the River Oaks Shopping Center, it is not part of the development. Braun Enterprises owns the 1947 W Gray property that houses a two-story commerical building. Men's clothing store Men's Warehouse is a ground floor tenant. https://braunenterprises.com/property/1947-w-gray https://braunenterprises.com/media/e/c/1/a/f/1/1947 W Gray Flier.pdf 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IntheKnowHouston Posted April 21, 2022 Author Share Posted April 21, 2022 The family behind Lebanese restaurant Mary'z Mediterranean Cuisine is opening an upscale dining concept at 1947 W Gray St. Albi will occupy the second floor. The restaurant will serve Mediterranean and Middle Eastern fare. I don't know if this is slated to open in late 2022 or early 2023. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amlaham Posted April 21, 2022 Share Posted April 21, 2022 1 hour ago, IntheKnowHouston said: The family behind Lebanese restaurant Mary'z Mediterranean Cuisine is opening an upscale dining concept at 1947 W Gray St. Albi will occupy the second floor. The restaurant will serve Mediterranean and Middle Eastern fare. I don't know if this is slated to open in late 2022 or early 2023. Fun fact :) Albi means "My heart" in Arabic 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbigtex56 Posted April 22, 2022 Share Posted April 22, 2022 I notice that 1927 W Gray (same block, formerly Pier 1) has had a construction fence around it for the past couple of weeks. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texan Posted June 17, 2022 Share Posted June 17, 2022 On 4/21/2022 at 8:08 PM, dbigtex56 said: I notice that 1927 W Gray (same block, formerly Pier 1) has had a construction fence around it for the past couple of weeks. Pier 1 is now gone. Anyone know what's happening? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hindesky Posted June 17, 2022 Share Posted June 17, 2022 1 hour ago, texan said: Pier 1 is now gone. Anyone know what's happening? Chase Bank is moving across the street into this. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texan Posted June 17, 2022 Share Posted June 17, 2022 8 hours ago, hindesky said: Chase Bank is moving across the street into this. Now I wish I wouldn't have asked. What a disappointment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amlaham Posted June 17, 2022 Share Posted June 17, 2022 2 hours ago, texan said: Now I wish I wouldn't have asked. What a disappointment. Nooo, this is good news, because that probably means they're going to consolidate their space and move out of their current location across the street (which is a significantly larger site). Now THAT site, I think is bound for something on a larger scale. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IntheKnowHouston Posted November 14, 2022 Author Share Posted November 14, 2022 (edited) On 4/21/2022 at 8:08 AM, IntheKnowHouston said: The family behind Lebanese restaurant Mary'z Mediterranean Cuisine is opening an upscale dining concept at 1947 W Gray St. Albi will occupy the second floor. The restaurant will serve Mediterranean and Middle Eastern fare. I don't know if this is slated to open in late 2022 or early 2023. More about Albi coming soon to 1947 W Gray St ( 1947 West Gray ). This is a new upscale dining concept from the family behind Lebanese restaurant Mary'z Mediterranean Cuisine. It's located on the second floor. According to their website launched over the summer, Albi will serve Mediterranean and Middle Eastern fusion fare. Late fall 2022 is listed as the estimated opening. Hiring events took place last month, which is a possible indication this could open by year's end or early 2023. Website: https://albihouston.com/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/albihouston Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/albihouston Edited November 14, 2022 by IntheKnowHouston 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IntheKnowHouston Posted November 14, 2022 Author Share Posted November 14, 2022 (edited) Renderings of Albi. These were uploaded to Albi's website this summer. I adjusted the lighting on the images because they were so dark. The original renderings are available on Albi's website and social media platforms. Albi is a new upscale restaurant from the family behind Lebanese restaurant Mary'z Mediterranean Cuisine. It's located on the second floor of 1947 W Gray St ( 1947 West Gray ). About the design (from the website): "The pointed arches, commonly used in Middle Eastern architecture, are used to bridge the gap between cultures. The red, black and yellow color scheme provide an edgy, yet elegant aesthetic to the restaurants ambience. The use of reflective surfaces gives the space the illusion of infinite spatial openness. The mix of velvet, conrete, marble and wood allows the space to blend the old with the new in an eccentric play of classic architecture." Edited November 14, 2022 by IntheKnowHouston 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IntheKnowHouston Posted January 2, 2023 Author Share Posted January 2, 2023 On 11/14/2022 at 4:14 AM, IntheKnowHouston said: More about Albi coming soon to 1947 W Gray St ( 1947 West Gray ). This is a new upscale dining concept from the family behind Lebanese restaurant Mary'z Mediterranean Cuisine. It's located on the second floor. According to their website launched over the summer, Albi will serve Mediterranean and Middle Eastern fusion fare. Late fall 2022 is listed as the estimated opening. Hiring events took place last month, which is a possible indication this could open by year's end or early 2023. Albi anticipates an early 2023 debut. This is a new upscale dining concept from the family behind Lebanese restaurant Mary'z Mediterranean Cuisine. It's located on the second floor. Here's a blurb about it from a mid-December Houston Press article: "Albi, 1947 W. Gray, is slated to open in late January. Nano and Jimy Fakhoury are behind the new Mediterranean concept, partnering with hospitality professional Aladdin Nimri to open a restaurant whose name means 'my heart' in Arabic." "Nano and Jimy are siblings who are part of the family-owned Mary'z Mediterranean, which has two restaurants in Houston. The new concept will be upscale Mediterranean inspired by Lebanese, Turkish and Greek cuisines. There will also be a selection of charcoal-grilled Mediterranean kabobs." https://www.houstonpress.com/restaurants/the-lymbar-opens-bun-b-finds-trill-a-home-14697158 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IntheKnowHouston Posted February 16, 2023 Author Share Posted February 16, 2023 More on Albi, including an updated opening timeline from Houston Business Journal yesterday. Albi is an upscale Mediterranean / Middle Eastern dining concept in River Oaks. It's from the family behind Lebanese restaurant Mary'z Mediterranean Cuisine. It's located at 1947 W Gray St on the second floor. Despite what's reported in the article, 1947 W Gray is not part of River Oaks Shopping Center. "Albi, an upscale Mediterranean restaurant offering a "vibe dining" experience, will soon open... Brothers Nano and Jimy Fakhoury, the operators of two Mary’z Mediterranean restaurants near the Galleria and the Heights, have chosen 1947 W. Gray St. as the location for their new concept. It will be above a Men's Wearhouse store. The Fakhourys are joined in the effort by hospitality entrepreneur Aladdin Nimri." When the restaurant aims to open: "The restaurant doesn’t have an official opening date yet. But Nano Fakhoury said the hope is to start inviting the public to dine at Albi by mid-March." https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2023/02/15/albi-restaurant-to-open-river-oaks-shopping-center.html 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IntheKnowHouston Posted May 5, 2023 Author Share Posted May 5, 2023 Exterior sign design for Albi. The upscale Mediterranean / Middle Eastern restaurant is located at 1947 W Gray St. Aria Signs shared this a few weeks ago in an Instagram story. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IntheKnowHouston Posted May 5, 2023 Author Share Posted May 5, 2023 I think the last two weekends, Albi hosted private previews for family and friends. Below are photos of the restaurant shared on Google Maps, Instagram, and Facebook. Albi is an upscale Mediterranean / Middle Eastern restaurant is located at 1947 W Gray St. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IntheKnowHouston Posted May 5, 2023 Author Share Posted May 5, 2023 According to KPRC, Albi is open at 1947 W Gray. It's across the street from River Oaks Shopping Center. Below are photos of Albi included in a press release. https://www.click2houston.com/features/2023/05/04/photos-ritzy-new-mediterranean-restaurant-opens-in-river-oaks-district/ 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hindesky Posted August 23, 2023 Share Posted August 23, 2023 Didn't know it till now but the entrance is on Peden St. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IntheKnowHouston Posted November 21, 2023 Author Share Posted November 21, 2023 According to CultureMap today, Albi is closed for good. The Middle Eastern and Mediterranean restaurant was located at 1947 W Gray St, Suite 200. The space won't remain vacant for long. CultureMap reports Clé Group will take over the lease and open a new concept. Expect more details to be revealed soon. Details from CultureMap: One of this year’s most promising new restaurants closed its doors last weekend. Albi, an upscale Mediterranean restaurant in River Oaks, has served its final meals... Clé Group partner Zack Truesdell writes in a text message that the successful hospitality company... is in final negotiations to bring a new, still unnamed concept to the space. https://houston.culturemap.com/news/restaurants-bars/albi-restaurant-river-oaks-closed-1/ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IntheKnowHouston Posted November 21, 2023 Author Share Posted November 21, 2023 3 hours ago, IntheKnowHouston said: According to CultureMap today, Albi is closed for good. The Middle Eastern and Mediterranean restaurant was located at 1947 W Gray St, Suite 200. The space won't remain vacant for long. CultureMap reports Clé Group will take over the lease and open a new concept. Expect more details to be revealed soon. Details from CultureMap: One of this year’s most promising new restaurants closed its doors last weekend. Albi, an upscale Mediterranean restaurant in River Oaks, has served its final meals... Clé Group partner Zack Truesdell writes in a text message that the successful hospitality company... is in final negotiations to bring a new, still unnamed concept to the space. https://houston.culturemap.com/news/restaurants-bars/albi-restaurant-river-oaks-closed-1/ According to a managing partner and a spouse of one of Alibi's co-owners, CultureMap's article is incorrect. They claim Albi is closed temporarily and not permanently. The spouse shared the restaurant did not sell their restaurant to Clé Group. In regards to the temporary hiatus, she says it is due in part to the hiring of a new executive chef. The closure will allow staff, mainly the kitchen, to regroup. After flooding the comment section of CultureMap's social media accounts and at least one local dining Facebook group, CultureMap revised the article. The updated article notes the following: One of this year’s most promising new restaurants closed its doors last weekend. Albi, an upscale Mediterranean restaurant in River Oaks, may have served its final meals, but whether it is gone for good remains a matter of dispute. ...Clé Group partner Zack Truesdell writes in a text message that the successful hospitality company... is in negotiations to bring a new, still unnamed concept to the space. However, Truesdell notes, the deal isn’t done yet. ...After publication of this article — and after CultureMap had made repeated requests for comment via every option available, including former public relations reps — Albi co-owner Nano Fakhoury... insists that the restaurant is only temporarily closed. According to Fakhoury, the temporary closure occurred following the dismissal of executive chef Christian Hernandez and the subsequent departure of his sous chefs. ...Fakhoury tells CultureMap that his partner contacted Clé Group but says they’re committed to reopening Albi with new leadership in the kitchen. https://houston.culturemap.com/news/restaurants-bars/albi-restaurant-river-oaks-closed-1/ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_cuevas713 Posted December 23, 2023 Share Posted December 23, 2023 (edited) I hate Cle Group. They're just a bunch of dbags who want to make a quick buck. What they've done to the old Christian Science Church is ridiculous. And all they seem to attract are wannabe gangsters in 2023 Camaros Edited December 23, 2023 by j_cuevas713 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkultra25 Posted December 24, 2023 Share Posted December 24, 2023 23 hours ago, j_cuevas713 said: I hate Cle Group. They're just a bunch of dbags who want to make a quick buck. What they've done to the old Christian Science Church is ridiculous. And all they seem to attract are wannabe gangsters in 2023 Camaros Camaro production ended on November 22. Charger and Challenger production likewise ends on December 31. These are sad times in the four-wheeled d-bag community. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IntheKnowHouston Posted April 27 Author Share Posted April 27 (edited) It appears Albi closed its doors a few weeks ago at 1947 W Gray St, Suite 200. There isn't a post announcing the closure on Albi's social media. I also don't recall seeing an Instagram story about it. Albi's Google listing is marked temporarily closed. Replacing Albi is Fancy's, a new nightlife concept from Clé Group. I think this may be the concept CultureMap mentioned last fall when incorrectly reporting Albi closed. At the time, Cle Group told the the publication they were in talks to take over the space. Fancy's will be Clé Group's second go-round in River Oaks. The hospitality group operated Bisou at 4444 Westheimer Rd, Suite A-120, in River Oaks District. The restaurant and lounge closed earlier this year. Based on Fancy's Instagram bio, it's an "elevated bar and lounge...offering specialty cocktails and bites." It appears the Instagram account for Fancy's was previously for Bisou. I think Fancy's aims to open this summer. https://fancyshtx.com https://www.facebook.com/fancyshouston https://www.instagram.com/fancyshouston Edited April 27 by IntheKnowHouston Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IntheKnowHouston Posted May 21 Author Share Posted May 21 (edited) On 4/27/2024 at 9:50 AM, IntheKnowHouston said: Replacing Albi is Fancy's, a new nightlife concept from Clé Group. I think this may be the concept CultureMap mentioned last fall when incorrectly reporting Albi closed. At the time, Cle Group told the the publication they were in talks to take over the space. Fancy's will be Clé Group's second go-round in River Oaks. The hospitality group operated Bisou at 4444 Westheimer Rd, Suite A-120, in River Oaks District. The restaurant and lounge closed earlier this year. Based on Fancy's Instagram bio, it's an "elevated bar and lounge...offering specialty cocktails and bites." It appears the Instagram account for Fancy's was previously for Bisou. I think Fancy's aims to open this summer. https://fancyshtx.com https://www.facebook.com/fancyshouston https://www.instagram.com/fancyshouston Fancy's opened over the weekend at 1947 W Gray St, Suite 200. The bar and lounge is the latest nightlife venture from Clé Group. It took over the space previously occupied by Middle Eastern restaurant Albi. CultureMap notes "the new bar reflects their desire to spend time in an environment that’s more grown up than the nightclubs that have powered their success." As for the space, "inside, the space features Roberto Cavalli textured wallpaper and deep red chandeliers. An onyx bar will serve as a lively gathering spot." https://houston.culturemap.com/news/restaurants-bars/fancys-cle-group-river-oaks/ Edited May 21 by IntheKnowHouston Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AS_ Posted May 21 Share Posted May 21 Albi saga was hilarious. We'll see if the neighborhood fancies Fancy facing them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.