Jonathan Levine is coming to the East End. The chef and restaurateur announced that he will open a new location ofJonathan’s the Rub on Navigation Boulevard.

Located in the former Acadian Coast/Gatsby’s Grill space, the new Jonathan’s will occupy 5,500-square-feet with a 1,500-square-foot patio. The new location puts it in close proximity to both Minute Maid Park and Shell Energy Stadium as well as lots of real estate development.

“The area is exploding right now,” Levine said on Great Day Houston. “There’s condos, townhouses, apartments. Midway, one of landlords, is doing the East River project.”

First established as a catering company in 2000, Jonathan’s the Rub has grown to two full service restaurants at the Memorial Green development and in the Campbell Place office building on the Katy Fwy. It has developed a devoted following in the Memorial area for Levine’s signature “new Houston” cuisine that includes everything from lobster tacos and blackened shrimp and grits to Italian American classics and steakhouse fare.

The new location will lean even harder into Levine’s New York roots by offering pizza.

“We can’t wait to incorporate our heritage even more into the menu at this new location and offer authentic New York-style pizza like the kind I grew up with,” Levine said. “We’re having a lot of fun working on that part of the menu now to get it just right.”

Jonathan’s is also a family affair. His son Sam oversees Campbell Place while daughter Jessica is at Memorial Green. Levine’s grandson Jay, who recently graduated from the Culinary Institute of America, has also joined the business.

“We now look forward to getting immersed in another vibrant community in our city – and the opportunity to bring our East Coast meets Gulf Coast food and drinks, warm atmosphere and comfortable dining experience to a new neighborhood – and closer to the major sports and entertainment complexes downtown,” Levine added.