A pair of popular Heights restaurants have made some key personnel changes following the departure of one of its founders. The new additions at wine-fueled restaurant Savoir and Patton’s, its companion steakhouse, pave the way for more new concepts from the restaurant’s ownership group.

Savoir owners Haig and Hien Papaian have promoted Eric Johnson, the restaurant’s long time executive chef, to the role of culinary director for both restaurants. His wife, sommelier Lexey Davis Johnson, has been hired as the company’s director of operations. Toby Schwebel has been promoted to general manager for both concepts.

Opened in 2019, Savoir serves an eclectic, European-inspired menu of vegetable plates, pasta, pizza, and more. It’s become a popular destination for its expansive patio, extensive wine list, and lively brunch. Patton’s offers an intimate steakhouse experience centered around Prime beef and classic cocktails.

As part of both Savoir and Patton’s since they opened, chef Johnson has overseen the kitchen for both restaurants. Davis Johnson brings experience as a sommelier and manager from both B&B Butchers and Doris Metropolitan. Schwebel has worked at a number of Houston restaurants, including B&B Butchers.

“We are thrilled to have our team of combined talent,” Haig Papaian, co-owner of The Papaian Group said in a statement. “The most exciting change for us will be a much more enhanced customer experience. With chef Eric Johnson, who has been with us since day one as culinary director, our guests will experience the familiar tastes that we’re known for and new craveable items that we believe will please our customers’ palates. And with the dynamic duo of Lexey Davis Johnson as director of operations and Toby Schwebel as general manager, we’re truly excited for visitors to experience an elevated customer service.”

These changes come following the recent departure of Savoir co-founder and operating partner Brian Doke, who tells CultureMap he’ll be devoting his attention to Heights & Co., his patio bar that’s across the street from Savoir, and a new, unnamed project.

“After creating Savoir and Patton’s, leading the restaurant through the pandemic, and growing it into what it is today, I’ll be moving on to focus on the next phase of my career centered around Heights & Co. and the new restaurant launch next year,” he said in a statement.

Similarly, The Papaian Group also has plans to grow in 2023 with unnamed concepts that “fill some of the gaps in nightlife and dining in the Heights and Garden Oaks/Oak Forest areas,” according to a release.