New Spot From Familiar Names to Open in Montrose

Finally, here's one Montrose restaurant change that will likely come as a welcome surprise. The Chronicle reports that Adam Dorris and Plinio Sandalio will convert the old Thai Sticks space on Richmond near Montrose into "affordable" neighborhood restaurant Pax Americana. Dorris is known for helping co-found the Ghetto Dinner pop-up series and for his work at Heights-area Revival Market, and Sandalio worked at Austin's Congress as well as Carillon before accepting a position at upcoming Main Kitchen & 806 Lounge in the JW Marriott. Sandalio told Alison Cook that the "Marriott may try to enforce a two-year non-compete clause that would preclude him from working in the Houston market," although he plans to go ahead with it anyway. And although Lillo & Ella opened just last month, its general Manager, Chris Fleischman, will be leaving that pan-Asian eatery join the team at Pax Americana.

Once open, the restaurant's menu will change frequently and will feature plates that range from $8 to $20 along with larger, shareable dishes. Cook writes that, with Sandalio and Dorris working as bar menu consultants, next-door space Zimm's Martini and Wine Bar will "morph to complement the restaurant," so that it may "serve as an anteroom for the restaurant." The project's investors are Brooklyn Athletic Club/Glass Wall owner Shepard Ross as well as the sons of the property owner, Dan and Mark Zimmerman.
Update: It's expected to open later this summer, possibly in August.
· Dorris, Sandalio to open Pax Americana on Montrose [Houston Chronicle]
· All Other Coming Attractions [-EHOU-]