Jonathan Jones IN at Downtown's El Big Bad

Last month, we reported that an Eater tipster clued us into Jonathan Jones joining the team at downtown gastrocantina El Big Bad, but at the time we couldn't get a confirmation on the move. Now, the rumors have been confirmed, with the Chron reporting that Jones will start begin his job there on Monday.

Formerly of Beaver's and Concepción, Jones gained momentum in Houston because of his hearty comfort food and exotic dishes, burgers and then Latin fare at late El Xuco Xicana, before taking a turn toward more refined dining by joining the team at Hotel ZaZa's Monarch Bistro last year. Jones showed expertise for crafting authentic and fusion Mexican fare at Xuco Xicana, so it seems like a good fit for the chef. His post at Hotel ZaZa has been taken by
Jeff Axline, who has been the banquet chef at Hotel ZaZa since late last summer, and who replaced Jones as executive chef of the hotel and Monarch Bistro just recently.
· Chef Jonathan Jones Is in at El Big Bad [Houston Chronicle]
· Jonathan Jones Out at Monarch Bistro; Jeff Axline In [-EHOU-]
· All Other Chef Shuffles [-EHOU-]

Jonathan Jones [Photo: Hotel Zaza/Facebook]