Here I am in Italy, only gone from my hometown for one week and big news is happening….all good! Two guys I like a lot have merged their talents to revamp a legendary Houston restaurant, Cafe Annie to become the newly conceived The Annie Bar & Cafe that will lock its glass doors today on May 16 and begin construction immediately the next day to be ready to reopen in early Fall 2019. I must admit I had heard rumors of this before I crossed the pond but was happy to have them confirmed from Berg’s spokesperson this week. It is now official that Benjamin Berg of Berg Hospitality Group announced his plans to revamp the legendary restaurant, Cafe Annie, through a new collaboration with Chef Robert Del Grande. The Houston-based hospitality group owner and James Beard award-winning chef plan to reimagine Cafe Annie and create a new, vibrant restaurant experience.
“Cafe Annie is a Houston institution located in a prime Uptown location and I am extremely happy to have an outpost in this thriving part of Houston,” said Berg, owner of Berg Hospitality Group, which includes B&B Butchers & Restaurant in Houston and Fort Worth, B.B. Italia, B.B. Pizza and B.B. Lem,on. “Chef Del Grande and I will combine our talents to create a lively dining and social scene.”
Berg’s plan is to remodel the 11,000 sq. ft. restaurant space to feature new interiors, lighting and furnishings, and extend the bar area to capture the ambiance of the second floor patio. The menu will build upon the outstanding national reputation of Chef Del Grande and the creative culinary prowess of Berg.
“Ben has an abundance of management expertise, an eye for design and a large focus on customer service,” said Executive Chef and Partner Robert Del Grande, who has more than 38 years of culinary experience. “I’m excited to partner with him as we combine our strengths to create a fresh experience for guests.”
Construction will begin Friday, May 17. A classic reimagined, The Annie Cafe & Bar is expected to reopen in early fall 2019.
photo courtesy of Fulton Davenport
