Even 6 years is a bit of a stretch. Reef closed in 2017 after Harvey (but was already circling the drain then) and he reopened a couple years later but it never got caught its stride.

The reasons were reportedly numerous (Divorce, booze, over expansion, partnerships falling out, pissing off investors, etc., etc.).

He's done quite a bit of consulting for other restaurants in the meantime, so that's likely what's kept him afloat.

Hopefully lessons were learned and he can find success again. He always seemed like a very nice guy.

drumboy said:

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schmellba99 said:

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Ag_07 said:

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Yeah I know nothing of the restaurant industry but for someone with so many accolades and buzz he sure does have a bunch of restaurants that folded in pretty short order.

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Being a good chef doesn't make you a good businessman. Most probably really aren't.

But it is kinda odd at the frequency and how most seem to be in the 18-ish month period, isn't it?

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This has happened several times, maybe too cash-leveraged, who knows. The Treadsack places (Downhouse, D&T & Drive Inn, those 2 places on 18th/Shepherd) all shut down close together and all Bernies Burgers Buses shuttered quickly during covid.

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Bernies expanded too quickly, then the COVID shenanigans did them in.

Don't know why but this thread made me think of the cheeseburger at Hunky Dory.

P.H. Dexippus said:

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Bar Bludorn just down the street. The area is picking up.

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Loved Bar Bludorn and Bludorn itself. Great places from my experience.

Can't wait to give this place a try as we loved Reef.

Thanks for posting about this info FWA!

TXAG 05 said:

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drumboy said:

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schmellba99 said:

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Ag_07 said:

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Yeah I know nothing of the restaurant industry but for someone with so many accolades and buzz he sure does have a bunch of restaurants that folded in pretty short order.

---

Being a good chef doesn't make you a good businessman. Most probably really aren't.

But it is kinda odd at the frequency and how most seem to be in the 18-ish month period, isn't it?

---

This has happened several times, maybe too cash-leveraged, who knows. The Treadsack places (Downhouse, D&T & Drive Inn, those 2 places on 18th/Shepherd) all shut down close together and all Bernies Burgers Buses shuttered quickly during covid.

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Bernies expanded too quickly, then the COVID shenanigans did them in.

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Bernies expanded using their own cash reserves rather than take out loans. When COVID hit, they had no cushion to lean on.

Foreign Correspondents on N Main was also during the peak Houston dining scene. Loved that place.

cajunaggie08 said:

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TXAG 05 said:

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drumboy said:

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schmellba99 said:

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Ag_07 said:

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Yeah I know nothing of the restaurant industry but for someone with so many accolades and buzz he sure does have a bunch of restaurants that folded in pretty short order.

---

Being a good chef doesn't make you a good businessman. Most probably really aren't.

But it is kinda odd at the frequency and how most seem to be in the 18-ish month period, isn't it?

---

This has happened several times, maybe too cash-leveraged, who knows. The Treadsack places (Downhouse, D&T & Drive Inn, those 2 places on 18th/Shepherd) all shut down close together and all Bernies Burgers Buses shuttered quickly during covid.

---

Bernies expanded too quickly, then the COVID shenanigans did them in.

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Bernies expanded using their own cash reserves rather than take out loans. When COVID hit, they had no cushion to lean on.

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I'm sure the fact that it was an overrated burger didn't help either.

schmendeler said:

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Feast would probably be so popular now. They were just 15 years too early. Some people were ready, but not enough.

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Yup.

Loved that place.

While discussing restaurants during that timeframe, did anybody else ever make it to Chez Roux in Conroe? It was certainly an unusual spot for a highly acclaimed British chef (mentor to Gordon Ramsey and Marco Pierre White) to pick. My understanding is he had some connection with the resort developers. Only made it there once but got to sit in the kitchen and watch the staff work. Was a fun night.

Yeah Foreign Correspondent was the best of the bunch imo but the shortest lived.

Stella Sola was another good one

We went to Latuli's on Friday night. FANTASTIC!

We shared the Shiner mussels. Wonderful, really great.

I had the Roasted Filet (cooked perfectly and spinach gruyere crepe) and the most amazing french fries. Crazy, but these fries were amazing. The waiter suggested them.

My wife had the Linguine al Funghi. That was great too.

Can't wait to go back, one of the best dinners I have had. Service was great and the restaurant is really nice. The patio looked really nice for when the weather is cooler.