Bernadine's and Hunky Dory Construction Underway

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• Mid December construction of Bernadine's & Hunky Dory. Photo: Jakeisha Wilmore
• Mid December construction of Bernadine's & Hunky Dory. Photo: Jakeisha Wilmore
• Mid December construction of Bernadine's & Hunky Dory. Photo: Jakeisha Wilmore
• Mid December construction of Bernadine's & Hunky Dory. Photo: Jakeisha Wilmore
• Rendering of Hunky Dory and Bernadine's. Photo courtesy of Treadsack Restaurant Group
• Rendering of forthcoming Hunky Dory. Photo: Hunky Dory/Facebook
• Rendering of Bernadine's. Photo courtesy of Treadsack Restaurant Group
• Bernadine's Dining Room Photo courtesy of Treadsack Restaurant Group
• Bernadine's Bar Area Photo courtesy of Treadsack Restaurant Group

Crews are making progress at the corner of North Shepherd Drive and West 18th, as the former Salmex Auto & Trucks Sales lot is transformed into two of 2015's most-anticipated restaurants: Hunky Dory, a British-influenced concept and Gulf Coast-focused Bernadine's. Construction on the Treadsack concepts has been ongoing since receiving the green light from the city in September. The build-out of the Michael Hsu designed restaurants (whose work also include Uchi Houston) began to take shape earlier this month. Foreign Correspondents, originally slated to be built next to Hunky Dory, is moving into the Braun Enterprises' The Heights Place on North Main as previously reported.

Hunky Dory will offer a modern tavern feel, serving upscale British comfort food from Chef Richard Knight along with familiar dishes once served at Feast, his former nose-to-tail Montrose restaurant. The dining room of the neighborhood tavern will seat 88 and 44 in the bar area that will also feature an extensive roster of whiskies. Hunky Dory's expansive patio is expected to seat 86.

A similar vibe will carry over to Bernadine’s led by Graham Laborde. The chef's seafood-centric menu will boast grilled oysters, a raw bar, BBQ crab, house-made boudin and andouille sausage and other Gulf Coast fare. Treadsack Beverage Director Travis Hinkle is heading up the wine, beer and cocktail program, keeping the Gulf Coast theme in tact. Wineries and breweries along the coast will be highlighted as well as cocktails native to the region.

Both concepts are on track to open in March or early spring of 2015. While construction continues, diners can receive a sneak peek of the food to come at Treadsack's pop-up-style test kitchen, Kipper Club located at 4400 North Yale. Bernadine's preview dinner will take place January 30 and Hunky Dory's February 13. Tickets for both are $100 each.