The restaurant row at Montrose and Westheimer anchored around Uchi is expanding in a big way. In addition to Ryan Hildebrand's Brande going in across the street in the former Ruggles Grill location, with a planned opening in the fall of 2013, the stretch of Grant Street between Theo's and Baba Yega is also getting a new addition from a noted restaurateur.

Oscar Aguilar, who has previously been involved with Convivio, Mexico Deli and the recently closed Decco Café, is planning to transform an unassuming red bungalow home on the east side of Grant into a new concept based on authentic Mexican cantinas like the one he used to frequent in Mexico City.

"When cantinas started, the idea was that people with very little money went to eat at cantinas. The way it worked was you got a beer and they would bring you a little something to eat, like a tapa, and you order a second drink and they bring you something else, and you order a third drink and they bring you something better — maybe not better but more elaborate, with more protein, maybe fish comes in or maybe a shrimp consommé or then they bring you some tostadas," says Aguilar.

"Now really cool, really beautiful places are taking the cantina model and making it accessible at a higher end."

In partnership with Uchi, which owns the land, Aguilar says he is keeping as much as the original structure as possible, with a renovation and design by Austin's Michael Hsu Office of Architecture, the same firm that created Uchi. The name is still undecided, but expect a modern take on a classic bungalow structure á la Zelko Bistro, with a clean-cut but homey vibe that Aguilar says is inspired in part by New York's Perla.

The two large shade trees in from of the house are staying, and Aguilar is planning a deck that will wrap around the front and side of the house with a spice garden on the other side. Foundation work is set to begin next month with an opening scheduled next year.