Aqui will shutter

Controversial chef Paul Qui will shutter his Montrose restaurant — but he's not leaving Houston

Aqui will close December 23.

Photo by Eric Sandler

Montrose restaurant Aqui will close December 23, chef-owner Paul Qui announced. Instead, Qui, chef de cuisine Jillian Bartolome, and general manager Adam Mathews will open a new concept focused on "Filipino bites" that will open in spring 2019 at a new location that has yet to be announced.

“Although it is bittersweet to close Aqui, our team is very excited for all the projects we have in store for Houston in 2019," Qui said in a statement. "Houston is our home and we are excited to continue to add to its rich culinary story.”

Even prior to its opening in August 2017, Aqui had been mired in controversy due to Qui's arrest in March 2016 on suspicion of two Class A misdemeanors: unlawful restraint and assault causing bodily injury to a family member. Although Caldwell County District Attorney Fred Weber ultimately dismissed the charges when the alleged victim, who was Qui's girlfriend at the time of the incident, "declined to participate as a witness," many people chose not to patronize the restaurant.

Despite that, the restaurant received considerable acclaim for its innovative mix of Thai, Japanese, and Filipino flavors. Bartolome earned a James Beard semifinalist nomination in the category of Best Pastry Chef and won this year's CultureMap Tastemaker Award in the same category. Chronicle critic Alison Cook awarded the restaurant four stars; she also published a companion essay defending the decision to review it at all.

Closing Aqui is only the latest setback for the chef. Qui, his Austin flagship, closed in August 2016, reopened as Kuneho in January 2017, and then closed for good in November 2017. Tacqui, a taco concept in Dallas, closed this year after less than six months in business.

Still, Qui seems determined to make a go of it in Houston. He and Bartolome will host a series of pop-ups to preview the new, unnamed concept. They're also inviting customers to make one last trip to Aqui before the closure. The restaurant will maintain its regular hours through December 9. After that, it will be open from December 12 to 16 and 19 to 23.

closings

into the woods

Intimate Houston cocktail lounge adds European-inspired outdoor patio

Clarkwood cocktail bar in Montrose courtyard

Photo Courtesy of Clarkwood

The Gin Design Group brought together shades of cream, gray, and white to deliver an elevated ambiance.

Houstonians, there’s a new al fresco destination for the summer — Clarkwood, the chic cocktail bar in Montrose, has expanded with a 1,500-square-foot courtyard bar.

Housed in a 1930s building that was once home to the Star Engraving Co., Clarkwood became an immediate favorite for date nights and celebratory sips when co-founders Army Sadeghi and Mason Clark opened it in 2022. Indeed, the only problem is that it has never had enough room to accommodate everyone who wants to join the party. The courtyard doubles Clarkwood’s capacity and adds versatility to its nightlife programming, including ambient DJ sets and seasonal late-night events.

Nominated for Bar of the Year in the CultureMap Tastemaker Awards, Clarkwood’s elevated ambiance has been thoughtfully extended to the outdoors by Houston's Gin Design Group, with shades of cream, gray, and white combining with lush greenery and old world glamour reminiscent of Europe. Meanwhile, a rotating lineup of DJs and other late-night programming will either energize or chill the atmosphere.

“The courtyard bar is a reflection of our commitment to thoughtful, high-design hospitality,” Sadeghi said in a statement. “It gives us space to push creatively — with new drinks, music, and experiences — while staying true to the intimate elegance that defines Clarkwood.”

To celebrate the expansion, Clarkwood is offering two cocktails that will only be served in the courtyard bar. The Clarkwood Punch Bowl is a shareable libation crafted tableside with gin, elderflower, cold-pressed Texas grapefruit, tonic, and rosé. For a more tropical drink, the Mezcal Matcha Colada combines mezcal and blanco tequila with ceremonial-grade matcha, pineapple, banana, and coconut cream.

And for those who can’t imagine summer without an Aperol spritz, there’s the Gold Hour Spritz Menu. Launching this season, the menu features three unique spritzes and is available nightly from 6-8 pm.

Clarkwood is open daily from 5 pm-2 am.

Photo courtesy of Clarkwood

The Gin Design Group brought together shades of cream, gray, and white to deliver an elevated ambiance.

cocktails nightlife openings