Guerrero Moving Alma to Montrose; Sophia Shuttered

After service Saturday night, former Samba Grille chef David Guerrero shuttered his Peruvian restaurant Alma in the energy corridor. According to Chronicle restaurant reviewer Alison Cook, Guerrero plans to move Alma to 1722 California Street, which is the property he originally intended to use for his Latin American tasting menu restaurant EVO. Cook awarded Alma three stars in January, but the restaurant never quite found its audience in west Houston. With the move to Montrose, Guerrero hopes to find greater success. No word on a timeline for Alma's opening or what this development means for Evo, but Eater has reached out to Guerrero for comment and will update if he does.

Update: Guerrero confirms that EVO is still in the works, but he "has to make sure people are familiar with the ingredients and the flavor first," which he hopes to achieve at Alma's new location.

Moving on to a restaurant that's already in Montrose, BYOB restaurant Sophia closed at the end of February. A lockout notice is posted at the restaurant's doors and a for lease sign has been erected in its parking lot. Since the space, which was also home to Cafe Artiste, is a stand-alone building with its own parking, expect it to be snatched up quickly. If any Eater readers know a restaurateur with an eye on the space, hit up the tipline.

· Alma Cebiche + bar [Facebook]
· Sophia Houston [Official Site]
· David Guerrero Shuts West-Side Alma to Move It to Montrose [29-95]
· Modern Peruvian Thrills of Alma Cebiche [Houston Chronicle]
· 'Dude What Gives?' Cafe Artiste's Disappearing Act [Swamplot]
· All David Guerrero Coverage on Eater Houston [-EHOU-]

David Guerrero [Gary R Wise] Sophia [-EHOU-]