Rejoice Mala Fanatics: Chinatown's Mala Sichuan Bistro Comes to Montrose

Well that didn't last long. When Dua, the Vietnamese restaurant formerly known as Mo Mong, announced its closure this week after 17 years in business, there were expectations the shuttered eatery would be on the market at least a few weeks. That wasn't the case. Before the last call for frozen cosmos at Dua's closing party last evening, word spread of the Montrose eatery's new owners: Mala Sichuan Bistro.

CultureMap first reported the news, revealing owners Cori Xiong and Heng Chen have been on the hunt for another location for some time. The husband and wife team considered branching westward to Sugar Land and Katy but decided on Montrose, where many within the restaurant industry live and work, including Mala's biggest supporter and now neighbor, James Beard Award-winning chef Chris Shepherd of Underbelly.

The menu won't be identical but many of the bistro's mainstays will possibly be permanent menu fixtures. CultureMap notes Xiong and Chen expect to open by the end of February, depending on the arrival of specially ordered kitchen equipment. Oxheart and Public Services Wine & Whiskey sommelier Justin Vann will be in charge of the beverage program. With the addition of a new chef and menu, could more inclusions be in store? It's possible with the Clumsy Butcher bunch (Underbelly, The Hay Merchant and Blacksmith) across the street.

Mala Sichuan Bistro's expansion outside of Chinatown follows the recent trend of multiple locations of Chinatown and Long Point restaurant favorites. In 2013 and 2014, boba and exotic Asian-inspired dessert chain Bambu Desserts & Drinks, opened five locations outside its Chinatown shop, spanning from North Houston to Southeast Houston. Other examples include LA Crawfish, Nu Ice, Tea Bar Organics, Chez Beignets and Kung Fu Tea. Fingers are crossed that Tiger Den will follow suit but with the construction of Mein Restaurant, it's likely not to happen this year.