It Looks Like Nobie’s Chef Martin Stayer Is Plotting a New Richmond Ave Spot

Nearly two years after opening popular neighborhood eatery Nobie’s, Chef Martin Stayer is working on a new project for Richmond Avenue.

An application filed with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission for permits to serve alcohol indicates that Stayer will open a concept called The Toasted Coconut at 1617 Richmond Avenue. It will take over the space formerly occupied by short-lived seafood restaurant Texas Shrimp Shack. Before that, it was home to a popular Montrose Tex-Mex eatery called Maria Selma Restaurant.

With a name like The Toasted Coconut, it’s hard to predict what Stayer’s got on the menu, which means that it’s time for a little guessing. Perhaps it’s a new tiki bar with Polynesian-inspired snacks. That could make sense, considering Stayer’s background in the bar industry. Maybe the restaurant’s parent company, Sama Sama LLC, holds a clue — in Malay, the phrase “sama sama” means “you’re welcome,” so maybe Malaysian cuisine is on the menu? Nobie’s sommelier Sara Stayer is also on the TABC application, possibly indicating that the forthcoming spot will be home to a solid wine list.

Eater has reached out to Stayer and Nobie’s for more details on The Toasted Coconut. Stay tuned.