moving up

Aaron Bludorn's rising star protégé moving from Memorial to Montrose

Bar Bludorn Aaron Bludorn Alexandra Pena

Chef Allie Peña is returning to Bludorn in May.

Photo by Lauren Holub Photograph

Diners will soon notice a change in the kitchen at one of Houston’s most prominent fine dining restaurants. Beginning in late May, Bar Bludorn executive chef Alexandra “Allie” Peña will become the executive chef at Bludorn, chef-owner Aaron Bludorn’s namesake, Montrose-area restaurant.

Peña replaces Bludorn’s current executive chef, Chase Voelz, who’s leaving Houston to be closer to family. It’s a bittersweet moment for the growing hospitality group, Aaron Bludorn tells CultureMap.

“Chase is such an incredible member of our team and such a pivotal part of where Bludorn is today. We’re sad to see him go but understand he has a family he has to take care of,” Bludorn says. “I can’t say enough good things about the time I’ve spent with him. He’s an incredible leader. I’m excited to see what he does in the next part of his career.”

Alexandra Pena Chase Voelz Bludorn Chefs Alexandra Peña and Chase Voelz.Photo by Emily Jaschke

When Voelz announced he’d be leaving, Peña requested she be considered as a candidate to replace him. It will be a full circle moment for the chef, who quickly rose from prep cook to sous chef at Bludorn before moving to Navy Blue as the opening executive sous chef. To ensure continuity, Bludorn’s current executive sous chef, Clayton Shaw, will replace Peña as Bar Bludorn’s executive chef.

Aaron Bludorn recognizes that moving Peña from Memorial to Montrose will put a brighter spotlight on the young chef, who earned a nomination for Rising Star Chef of the Year in the 2025 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards. Just as she did at Bar Bludorn with dishes like a tuna tostada and smoked cabrito, Pena will have the opportunity to shape the menu at Bludorn.

“I think Allie coming is an opportunity for her to write her future and help Bludorn usher into the next generation,” he says. “As the menu changes seasonally, a lot of those changes will be hers and things she develops alongside myself. I’m not ready to give up 100 percent control, but it will be collaborative. I want to give her he opportunity to let her voice shine through.”

Of course, the restaurant’s fans shouldn’t worry. Menu staples like the short rib ravioli, oysters four ways (raw, smoked, fried, and roasted), and steak with twice-baked potato aren’t going anywhere. Bludorn confirms that weekly specials like the Wednesday night prime rib will also remain in place.

“I’m a lucky man when this thing happens. It’s bittersweet to see Chase leave, but it’s awesome to give this opportunity to Allie and her be so excited to execute on it,” Bludorn says.

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a CultureMap Exclusive

Houston's 'Chinese takeout bar from the future' touches down in Webster

Courtesy of The Rice Box

A rendering previews The Rice Box's new location in Webster.

Houston’s Chinese takeout bar from the future is coming to the Bay Area. The sixth location of The Rice Box will open in Webster later this summer.

Located at 114 El Dorado Blvd, the new location will be called Rice Box Space Center after NASA’s headquarters at the nearby Johnson Space Center. Founder John Peterson tells CultureMap that it’s a bit of a homecoming for him and his wife/business partner, Jenny Vo, as they grew up in the area. As with every new location, the restaurant created a movie-style poster to announce its opening.

Rice Box Webster movie poster The Rice Box Space Center is expected to open later this summer.Courtesy of The Rice Box

For its first truly suburban location, Peterson plans to offer a more efficient pickup system for to-go orders. Dubbed The Rice Box Pickup Reactors, the system applies Rice Box’s sci-fi aesthetic to curbside ordering. As seen in the rendering above, the building will have six slots that drivers will pull into to get their orders.

“The goal is to have guests in and out with food in hand in around 90 seconds,” Peterson writes in an email. “It’s still pickup, but we’re trying to make that moment feel more intentional and more connected to the digital side of Rice Box instead of treating it like an afterthought. We’re looking at this opening as both a new store and a prototype for how Rice Box can work in more suburban markets without losing the part of the brand that makes it feel like us.”

Bay Area-area diners can expect the same menu as the Rice Box’s other locations. That includes staples such as General Tso’s chicken, sesame chicken, beef with broccoli, and orange peel beef. The restaurant also serves traditional Chinese-inspired fare such as Chongqing chicken, cumin beef, mapo tofu, and chow fun noodles.

Recently, Peterson rolled out a new version of Rice Box’s dumplings. Available in chicken, pork, or vegetable, each style of dumpling comes with a different wrapper that enhances the filling’s flavor. They’re also available either steamed or fried.

The Rice Box started as a food truck in the early 2010s. After moving to a permanent location in the Greenway Plaza food court, it has opened brick-and-mortar locations in the Heights, River Oaks, Rice Village, and Memorial.

openings news-you-can-eat the rice box

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Aaron Bludorn's rising star protégé moving from Memorial to Montrose

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