Chef Bryan Caswell Severs Ties With Astros Owner Jim Crane’s Restaurants

In one of the year’s biggest chef shuffles, Bryan Caswell has departed his post as chef of Astros owner Jim Crane’s forthcoming Italian restaurants.

CultureMap reports that Caswell will not be involved with the opening of Kristalla and Osso, planned for the 500 Crawford building near Minute Maid Park. According to Caswell, the departure was a mutual decision, and now he plans to focus on his beloved seafood restaurant Reef and bringing new concepts to Houston.

“Reef is my baby. You’re going to have to blast me out of this place,” told CultureMap’s Eric Sandler. “It’s been almost 10 years, now. It’s time for a new coat of paint. It’s time for a new thought and a new idea.”

As for what exactly that means for the restaurant’s Gulf-inspired cuisine, Caswell didn’t elaborate on any specific changes he has in the works for the menu.

• Top chef splits from Astros owner's restaurants to focus on new projects, revamp Reef [CultureMap]