When Carriqui shuttered in October 2025, Pearl developer Silver Ventures promised the building wouldn’t stay vacant long. A year later, it will be revived by a marquee name. Bludorn Hospitality Group (BHG), the outfit behind Houston favorites Navy Blue and Bludorn, will take over the space in the fall.
The move brings three seasoned restaurateurs to the high-volume space. Chef Aaron Bludorn served as the executive chef of Manhattan's world-famous Café Boulud when he met his now-wife, Victoria Pappas Bludorn, the scion of Houston’s Pappas dynasty, herself classically trained in French cuisine.
Cherif Mbodji crossed paths with Aaron when the former was the general manager of Café Boulud, but didn’t hesitate to move South to join the team at Bludorn restaurant. The restaurant turned out to be one of Texas’ buzziest post-pandemic debuts — and the creation of a growing restaurant group that now includes Navy Blue, Perseid, and Bar Bludorn. Three of those restaurants — Bludorn, Perseid, and Bar Bludorn — hold Recommended designations in the Michelin Guide.
Chef Aaron Bludorn (l) and Cherif Mbodji are leading the new Pearl concept.Photo by John-Paul Garrigues.
Although the trio can tout an impressive culinary pedigree, they are staying tight-lipped on their first San Antonio restaurant. A release did not mention a name nor tease any details on the menu. Chef Bludorn is most known for French-kissed New American cuisine that incorporates Gulf seafood and cooking traditions from the American South. But, hey, who’s to say he won’t take a detour?
Whatever is on the menu, BHG will have a lot of seats to fill. When the original home of Liberty Bar was painstakingly renovated after years of disuse, the 19th-century house had 380 seats, including a spacious patio. This makes the unnamed San Antonio restaurant the group’s largest project by almost threefold, although it is certainly accustomed to packed rooms.
According to a press release, more details on the mysterious concept will be revealed in the coming months. Guests can sign up for newsletter updates through Bludorn Hospitality Group's website.
Share a birthday cake at Petite LucieCourtesy of Petite Lucie
