Goodnight and Good Luck

Montrose honky tonk masterminds reveal ambitious plans to open 3 new concepts

David Keck and his partners in Goodnight Hospitality are finally ready to talk about the "hole in the ground" next to Goodnight's Charlie's. Keck, along with partners chef Felipe Riccio and local businessman Peter McCarthy, unveiled an ambitious plan to open three new concepts directly in front of their smash hit Montrose honky tonk.

Slated to open in 2019, they are as follows:

Montrose Cheese and Wine: a retail shop that will feature a rotating selection of 12 to 15 cheeses along with a selection of 75 wines focused on (but not limited to) organic, biodynamic, and natural production, In addition, the 760-square-foot shop will also feature gifts, accessories, and wine-related tools.

Rosie Cannonball: a casual, European-inspired restaurant with a wood-burning grill and oven that will serve pizzas, breads, and a wine list centered around "an expansive list of affordable and delicious wines."

While those both will be welcome additions to the neighborhood, the highlight is a fine dining restaurant called March. The 28-seat, Mediterranean-inspired restaurant will leverage both Keck's extensive knowledge of wine as well as Riccio's work at some of the world's greatest restaurants, including Blue Hill at Stone Barns and Osteria Francescana.

“I cooked in Europe for two years, which helped me understand that a restaurant can be more than a dining experience,” said Riccio in a statement. “It can be emotional, educational, inspiring. Fine dining is more relevant now than ever because it’s a perfect combination of thoughtful attention to detail, constant drive for excellence and hospitality—making a guest feel welcome.”

Keck has been quietly assembling March's wine list for the last two years, which has allowed the Master Sommelier to create a cellar from a wide range of producers and include vintages that haven't been poured in Houston before. In addition, the staff will consist of "industry professionals with extensive wine experience."

Opening three concepts in close proximity to each other might seem like a problem, but McCarthy explains the reason for the decision.

“We love how eclectic and vibrant the neighborhood already is, and we believe the surrounding restaurant and bar scene is representative of the Houston culinary scene at large." McCarthy added. "We can only aspire that our three concepts add to that. That vibrancy, coupled with the added efficiencies of our concepts and retail anchor Biscuit Home in close proximity, made for an easy decision.”

For all Keck's talk about his affection for two-stepping and shots of whiskey, he and Riccio always seemed a little overqualified to oversee the operations at Goodnight Charlie's. This announcement allows the duo to unleash the full range of their talents, which should make Houston an even better place to eat and drink. The competition for the best new restaurant of 2019 starts now.

Peter McCarthy.

Courtesy of Goodnight Hospitality

Peter McCarthy.

openings chefs

Mutiny on the White Oak

Staple Heights wine bar and restaurant will shutter after 6 years

Photo by Jenn Duncan

Mutiny will close on January 31.

A wine bar and restaurant in the Heights is coming to the end of a six-year run. Mutiny in the Heights will close on January 31.

In an email to the restaurant’s supporters, co-owner Mark Ellenberger writes that rising costs for ingredients, insurance, and labor contributed to the decision to close Mutiny. “The closing is driven by increased costs and the traffic just did not sustain the operation,” he writes in response to CultureMap’s request for comment about the decision.

He also thanked Mutiny’s customers for their support. “You weren’t just customers. You were the familiar faces who stopped in after work, the couples who always sat at the same table, the friends who brought visiting family ‘to their spot.’ You celebrated birthdays here, toasted milestones, celebrated wedding receptions, had first dates, and made this place feel alive.”

Ellenberg and his wife Emily Trout opened Mutiny Wine Room in January 2020 as a companion to Kagan Cellars, their award-winning winery. It featured selection from boutique wineries that produced between 500 and 5,000 cases per year. Patrons could sample more than 30 by-the-glass options along with an extensive selection of bottles.

Food has always been part of Mutiny’s offerings. Originally, the restaurant served California cuisine, but last year it changed its name to Mutiny in the Heights and adopted a more family-friendly menu that includes a burger, meatballs, and steak frites.

Between now and January 31, Ellenberger writes that Mutiny will run specials for up to 50-percent off wines for both dine-in and to-go. Details about an anniversary/farewell on January 22 will be shared on social media.

As for the future, Ellenberger explains that he’ll continue to focus on Kagan Cellars, including launching a wine club. “We will also keep our hand in the hospitality sector through our investment in Stella Kenwood in Sonoma, CA.”

Elsewhere in the Heights, The Kid, a craft beer and burger concept from the owners of The Flying Saucer, quietly closed at the end of the year, Chron reports. Earlier this week, Rocket Farm Restaurants announced it will replace it’s Tex-Mex restaurant Superica with a casual steakhouse called Star Rover.

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