A seismic shift is quietly taking place at one of Houston’s most prominent steakhouses. Underbelly Hospitality is in final negotiations to sell its steakhouse Georgia James, CultureMap has learned.

The new owners will be the partners behind Bari Ristorante, the Italian restaurant that opened last year in River Oaks District. Underbelly Hospitality owner Todd Mason and members of Bari’s ownership and management team shared the news with the Georgia James staff at a meeting on Wednesday, July 3.

While a representative for Underbelly Hospitality tells CultureMap the deal hasn’t been finalized, the new owners are already making plans to put their stamp on the restaurant. They’ve revised the restaurant’s proposed menu for Houston Restaurant Weeks and announced changes to staff uniforms that will be implemented later this month, according to an email from Bari partner Pedro Teyuca that was shared with CultureMap.

At this point, it is unclear what other changes, if any, the Bari team has in mind for the restaurant’s menu or decor. Bari’s representatives declined to comment, stating the deal to acquire the restaurant hasn’t been finalized.

Underbelly Hospitality founder chef Chris Shepherd opened Georgia James in 2018. The restaurant differs from traditional steakhouses in some important ways. Notably, it cooks all of its steaks on cast iron — rather than with a broiler — to ensure a proper crust that enhances their flavor. In the spirit of Underbelly, the pioneering Houston restaurant where Shepherd won a James Beard Award for Best Chef: Southwest, Georgia James serves sides and appetizers inspired by Houston’s immigrant culinary traditions, such as Viet-Cajun roasted oysters, pho-spiced beef carpaccio, and roasted pork belly with gochujang cucumbers. Its over the top "Baller Boards" — giant wooden planks loaded with meat, seafood, and sides — have been a social media sensation.

The concept earned considerable acclaim, including being named the state’s best new restaurant of 2019 by Texas Monthly critic Pat Sharpe. More recently, it was one of only approximately 1,500 restaurants to earn a prestigious Best of Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator.

Originally, Georgia James replaced Underbelly at 1100 Westheimer. In 2022, it moved to its current home in the Regent Square mixed-use development.

Selling Georgia James is only the latest change at Underbelly Hospitality since Shepherd parted ways with the company two years ago. In June, the company closed Comalito, its Mexico City-inspired taqueria, after only seven months of operations. In March, it closed its Italian restaurant Pastore after less than a year in business. The company will continue to operate Wild Oats, its Texas comfort food restaurant in Spring Branch, two locations of Underbelly Burger, and J9 Wine Bar in Chicago, Illinois.