Since it opened in 2014, Kitchen 713 has been something of an unlikely success story. Although chef-owners Ross Coleman and James Haywood first worked together at Minute Maid Park, little about their collective culinary past hinted at what the restaurant, which tags itself as serving "flavors of the South, globally inspired," would deliver.
The chefs' ability to blend classic Southern dishes with unexpected flavors in dishes like turkey neck lettuce wraps with nuoc cham sauce and fiery jerk ribs has earned raves from professional critics and patrons alike. Indeed, the restaurant's biggest problem has been its physical location in the Second Ward; the building's owner refuses to allow any alcohol to be sold there or even for patrons to bring their own, but that situation will soon be changed.
Coleman announced Wednesday morning that Kitchen 713 has plans to relocate to a new location that will allow the restaurant to sell alcohol and expand its menu. The Canal Street location is closed effective immediately. The chef did not immediately respond to a request for additional comment on where the new location will be or when he expects it to open, although the announcement promises more details will be released via social media.
Selfishly, I'm hoping for the answers to be "near Montrose" and "by the end of the summer." After all, the restaurant's Southern fried chicken, which is only served during Sunday brunch, generates rave reviews. Houstonians shouldn't be denied the pleasure of eating it for too long.
