Between his recent retail takeover, his food trucks and his successful bar and restaurant ventures on Lower Westheimer, California native Shawn Bermudez seems to have quite enough to keep him busy — but you won't find him resting on his laurels.
On a recent weekday, between calls from employees and vendors, Bermudez gave CultureMap a sneak peek of two high-profile ventures set to open this spring and summer along the busy corridor.
Adjoining Bermudez's Boondocks, in the space formerly occupied by Liquid, plans are being laid for Stone's Throw, an Americana bar cheekily named for its proximity to Bermudez's other spots. A collaboration with Hunter Montgomery, the general manager of Royal Oak, the bar will offer about 16 Texas-brewed beers on tap and a simple seasonal cocktail menu.
Chef Brandon Shillings has crafted a tasty menu that includes a mouthwatering meatloaf tort.&
The opening date has been set for May, but there's still much to be done: Current building plans prescribe bigger windows and architectural flourishes on the Westheimer-facing facade, construction of an second-floor balcony with banquette seating and the creation of an outdoor patio — one that offers plenty of privacy from Boondocks next door.
Bermudez said that the space will be small but inviting, a sort of neighborhood hangout. Expect intimate seating, copper-topped tables and bars.
That metallic touch will carry over down the street at Pistolero's, where the distinctive angular entrance that most recently belonged to Nabi has received an all-over copper treatment. Wooden planters out front will soon be filled with cacti in advance of an anticipated March opening.
"The timing wasn't right, but the location made so much sense for me," Bermudez explained of the fast-tracked plans for the Westheimer space, where tacos and tequila will be the main fare.
He warned, though, that chef Brandon Shillings — formerly of Catalan and Benjy's — has crafted a tasty menu that also includes a mouthwatering meatloaf torta, which pairs perfectly with Mexican beer.
Unfazed by a confluence of food trucks near brick and mortar restaurants, Bermudez has also started a Montrose Food Truck Lunch program from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. every weekday. On Mondays you'll find Bernie's Burger Bus camped in the Anvil parking lot; Tuesdays belong to Coreanos, Wednesday to Koagie Hots, Thursday to Golden Grill and Friday to Phamily Bites.
Shawn Bermudez has created something of an empire in lower Westheimer.
