When Pearl’s centerpiece restaurant Cured closed at the start of this year, the old brewery’s stately 1904 administration building began to empty out, refilled with a question: What’s next? Now there’s an answer: An Italian steakhouse, with plans to open later this year
Called Rosso, the new restaurant is a project from La Union Hospitality, a new restaurant group formed by Mixtli co-founder Rico Torres, controversial “Top Chef” winner Gabe Erales and “Chef’s PSA” podcaster André Natera.
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A press release calls Rosso, “an ode to classic ‘red sauce’ Italian restaurants,” with steaks, pasta dishes and a bar. Details, including an exact opening date and who will act as Rosso’s executive chef, will be announced later.
“We’re honored to join the community at Pearl, an iconic destination we’ve long admired,” the partners said
Torres is the co-owner of the progressive Mexican restaurant Mixtli in Southtown. He confirmed Thursday that nothing will change with Mixtli, and that Rosso represents a chance to branch out. In addition to his podcast, Natera’s credits include two-time honors as “Best Chef” from the Dallas Morning News.
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RESTAU-RANT:These prices are too damn high
Erales, who helped open the Michelin-recognized Austin Mexican restaurant Comedor, was fired by that restaurant in 2020, shortly after “Top Chef” season 18 finished filming. The Austin American-Statesman reported in 2021 that Erales admitted to having a consensual sexual relationship with a female member of his kitchen staff, then cutting her hours
Cured closed Jan. 4 after more than 12 years at Pearl, which recently also lost Full Goods Diner and Carriqui. The Houston group Bludorn Hospitality Group is taking over the Carriqui space
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