Sambrooks Management Company (SMC), owner of upcoming modern Steakhouse Andiron, 1751 Sea and Bar, The Pit Room, The Patio at The Pit Room, and Candente, announced Louis Maldonado as Andiron’s Executive Chef and Mario Da Silva as the Chef de Cuisine. 

Chef Maldonado comes to Andiron from Ann Arbor, MI where he was Chef-Partner for the Pulpo Group and their three concept Dixboro Project. He graduated from the California Culinary Academy in 2002 and rose through the ranks at multiple Michelin Star restaurants including French Laundry in Yountville, Aziza (Chef De Cuisine), Mourad (Culinary Director) and Cortez (Executive Chef) in San Francisco where he led the team to earn 1 Michelin star in 2008.   Chef Louis world class culinary skills along with an extremely high level of operations and team building experience to Andiron.

Mario Da Silva graduated with a culinary degree in 2010 from the University of Yaracuy in Venezuela. From culinary school Chef  worked under renowned Chef Carlos Garcia at Alto Restaurant, a San Pellegrino top 50 Restaurant in Latin America. Most Recently, he was an executive chef for multiple concepts with the Boca group in Miami, Florida.

Andiron will provide a unique steakhouse experience that incorporates the traditional with the new. The menu will honor the traditional steakhouse while also offering a modern small plate progressive dining experience. The concept will revolve around sourcing the world’s finest ingredients, treating them simply, and preparing them with live-fire techniques. 

“We knew as soon as we met and ate around Houston with Chef Maldonado that Louis and Andiron were the perfect match. Louis has amazing culinary experience and standards. He is ready to create and deliver what we think will be one of the best menu offerings in town,” says Michael Sambrooks, owner of Andiron. “We look forward to introducing Chef Maldonado to Houstonians and letting them see what he can accomplish at Andiron. Both of these guys are incredibly talented and passionate chefs.”

“I am excited to lead Andiron’s team for this incredible opening,” says Chef Maldonado. “Andiron’s commitment to only the best in terms of the room, service and cuisine aligns with where I want to be. I couldn’t be more excited to deliver Andiron to the diners of Houston. I also look forward to settling into Houston, an area where I have friends and family close by.”

The Andiron building, which was recently renovated by Radom Capital, originally housed the Star Engraving Company and was once home to the Houston Children’s Museum. Located directly across from Stages Theatre’s new home, The Gordy, the two spaces will share access to a 300-car parking garage.

Construction at Andiron is in the final stages, with the full wood fired kitchen in place and amazing design work from AvroKO finishing up. They expect to be open towards the end of this year.