Atlas Restaurant Group — the acclaimed Maryland-based restaurant group that brought Ouzo Bay and Loch Bar to River Oaks District over two years ago — today announced it will launch a new concept created specifically for Montrose Collective that will significantly grow their Houston footprint. Restaurateur/brothers Alex and Eric Smith have zeroed in on a 5,500-square-feet space in Houston’s most culturally eclectic neighborhood for a first-to-market, original 225-seat Italian concept slated to open in Spring 2022 at the Montrose Collective, a fast-rising new mixed-use project by Heights Mercantile developer Radom Capital that broke ground in February 2020.
The Brothers Smith first made their buzzy debut in 2019 with the side-by-side Houston launches of Ouzo Bay and Loch Bar and have been committed to growing their Houston portfolio across the city ever since. “The success of Ouzo and Loch Bar, combined with the city’s business-friendly environment, made the decision to grow here an easy one,” says owner Alex Smith. He added, “Frankly, we love Houston and plan to continue creating new brands here under the Atlas umbrella wherever it makes sense. And Montrose Collective made absolute perfect sense.”
Indeed, the totality of the mixed-use development rising on Westheimer Road along Grand and Crocker Streets will consist of five buildings, 100,000 square feet of office space and more than 50,000 square feet of retail, including the critically-lauded and perennially popular Uchi restaurant, plus the relocated Montrose branch of the Houston Public Library. All told, Montrose Collective will be home to six new restaurants and 15 new-to-market retail shops when the Michael Hsu-designed project opens with preserved mature live oak trees perched above wide, covered walkways, public art, and natural gathering places.
The brothers tapped local architect Tim Cisneros for the design build out of the new concept, who will work in tandem with Maryland-based designer Patrick Sutton to bring their vision for a neighborhood restaurant featuring handmade pastas, charcuterie and prime steaks to life.
“We couldn’t be more excited that Alex and Eric have selected Montrose Collective for their first Italian concept in Texas,” said Radom Capital Managing Principal Steve Radom. He adds, “I was absolutely blown away by their creativity and attention to detail, on a recent visit to Baltimore, and the quality of their concepts speaks for itself, and I’m confident they will create something special for Montrose that will resonate with locals and visitors alike.”
