Classic Italian Eatery Carmelo’s Will Be Revamped Into Two New Restaurants

Next month, classic Houston Italian restaurant Carmelo’s Cucina Italiana will officially be reborn as two brand new restaurants.

The building at 14795 Memorial Drive is currently being remodeled into B.B. Italia Kitchen and B.B. Pizza, according to a press release. “Carmelo’s was really a part of the community and had loyal, lifelong customers,” co-owner Benjamin Berg said in a statement. “I grew up eating incredible Italian-American food in New York City, and I can’t wait to give the city I now call home a world-class Italian restaurant and continue the legacy of a family-owned-and-operated business.” The remodel includes an updated dining room, a new outdoor patio, and a horseshoe-shaped bar.

The first restaurant, B.B. Italia Kitchen will classic Italian-American dishes with modern updates, and its sister spot B.B. Pizza will sling New York-style pies, calzones, and submarine sandwiches for delivery and take-out. Menus have not been made available just yet, but Berg’s brother and business partner Daniel Berg will oversee the kitchen, as he does at the duo’s other restaurants, B&B Butchers and B.B. Lemon.

Back in January, Berg shuttered Carmelo’s after purchasing it from longtime owner Carmelo Mauro, who operated the restaurant for 37 years. At the time, Berg didn’t indicate that he was planning to use the space for two new establishments, but did hint at forthcoming menu changes.

B.B. Italia Kitchen and B.B. Pizza are set to open at the end of April. Stay tuned for an official opening date.

• Carmelo’s Closes Until Late Spring For A Major Revamp [EHOU]