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    Carmelo's Revived

    Steakhouse owner saves beloved Memorial-area Italian restaurant

    Eric Sandler
    Jan 2, 2018 | 10:31 am

    A beloved Houston restaurant that was slated to close has a new owner that will allow it to keep its doors open. B&B Butchers owner Ben Berg has purchased Memorial-area Italian restaurant Carmelo’s Ristorante from owner Carmelo Mauro, the restaurant announced Thursday evening.

    When Mauro decided to retire after 37 years in business, he planned to close Carmelo's after service on Christmas Day, but Berg’s purchase means it will reopen beginning with dinner service on Wednesday night. All of Carmelo’s current staff has been offered the opportunity to retain their current positions; most importantly, the restaurant’s long-time chef Fidel Cardozo will remain in his role. Berg's brother Daniel is moving to Houston from New York and will serve as Carmelo's executive chef, the Chronicle reports.

    Both Mauro and Berg spoke to Cleverley Stone on her radio show Saturday morning about how the deal came together. Mauro told Stone that Berg’s acquisition ensures that Carmelo’s customers will be able to dine on all of their favorite dishes for the foreseeable future.

    “The meatballs are still there,” he promised.

    Mauro noted that Stone introduced him to Berg (the host referred to herself as the “matchmaker” for the transaction). After he met Berg for the time, Mauro said he knew he was the right person to purchase the restaurant.

    “When I first met him, that night when I went home I said to (my wife) Hilary, 'I like that guy. He sounds honest,'” Mauro said. “When I was talking to him, (I said) ‘I’m involved with some organizations,’ Ben said without hesitation, ‘tell me which one, and I’ll keep it going.’ That tells me he cares about people.”

    Berg told Stone that he had been familiar with the restaurant since he lives nearby and that he respects Mauro’s history in the business. When Stone asked if he planned “big changes,” Berg firmly replied “no.” He also affirmed that he’ll keep the Carmelo’s name for “as long as (Mauro) will let me have it.”

    “The place has such great history and people. Everyone knows it,” Berg said. Later, he added, “It’s going to be like Carmelo’s never closed . . . We’re just going to get it all ready and go back to normal hours.”

    Berg’s biggest challenge will be dividing his time between his businesses. B&B Butchers just opened a second location in Fort Worth, and he has plans to open a fine dining restaurant called Benjamin’s in downtown Houston later this year. Thankfully, he has Mauro as a resource to assist with his new purchase.

    “Carmelo has been unbelievable,” Berg said. “Even when he goes off for his trip, I can email him anytime.”

    Carmelo's reopens Wednesday.

    Carmelo's Ristorante Interior
      
    Carmelo's Ristorante/Facebook
    Carmelo's reopens Wednesday.
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    a fresh start

    Award-winning Houston cocktail bar diverts to new home in Montrose

    Eric Sandler
    Jun 12, 2025 | 5:00 pm
    Diversion cocktail bar Montrose
    Photo by Manoah Rodriguez
    The Vilanova Ritual is prepared tableside in a teapot.

    An award-winning Houston cocktail bar has found a new home. Diversión will reopen Thursday, June 19 in Montrose’s food-focused Harlow District development.

    Located at 1226 W Clay Street, Diversión Montrose will occupy one of the two houses that comprise Emma Jane, the European-inspired teahouse that opened last year. It replaces the original location of Diversión that opened in early 2021 in Spring Branch. Both Diversión’s original location and Degust, its companion tasting menu restaurant, quietly closed last year.

    Known for its polished service and elaborate cocktails, Esquire magazine named Diversión’s original iteration to its list of the Best New Bar in America for 2022. That ethos has been “refreshed” to be “a more intimate and playful setting,” according to press materials.

    Patrons will find a new cocktail menu that includes drinks such as the Operation: ‘White Flame’ (vodka, dry vermouth, Earl Grey, and caviar); the Sand Dollar Beach, an on-trend mini martini; and the Vilanova Ritual, which is prepared for two people in one of Emma Jane’s signature tea pots. Food options include Korean fried chicken, a Japanese-style mushroom salad (sunomono), and caviar service with crème fraiche dip, soy caramel, and crepes.

    While the original Diversión required a special trip to Spring Branch, the new one could be one stop on an evening in the Harlow District. Located on the property that served as the home to treasured Italian restaurants Nino's, Vincent's, and Grappino di Nino, the development now includes upscale Italian restaurant La Griglia, premier sushi spot Katami, and lively patio bar Verde Garden.

    Diversión will be open Tuesday-Sunday from 5 pm-1 am.


    Diversion cocktail bar Montrose
      

    Photo by Manoah Rodriguez

    The Vilanova Ritual is prepared tableside in a teapot.

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