Anyone going to the Grand Re-Opening of Gratifi today? (Houston: appointed, 2014)

[HookTheBrotherUp]

I've noticed a film crew out at the Gratifi restaurant on Taft and Fairview; I pass by there sometimes in the early hours of the morning, like 5:00 AM, and I noticed white tents out there lately, and extension cords coming from the restaurant across the street from it (I guess they are borrowing power). I passed by again early today and saw a crew outside, so I stopped to ask them what was going on and it is a crew from the show Restaurant Impossible. They were re-doing the restaurant.

I did a search and found a couple of links to it... one says 'no more reservations for the Grand Reopening January 23rd'. 'Just curious to hear if anyone went/will go to it.

gratifi kitchen + bar | All hand made with our own recipes. 100% Texas craft beer.
Restaurant Impossible Comes to Gratifi To Save the Struggling Restaurant

[Mr. Krinkle]

Restaurant Impossible Comes to Gratifi To Save the Struggling Restaurant

[crono_clone]

I wanted to, but by the time I found out about it, reservations for the grand re-opening was already full. Sigh, there goes my chance to be on TV!

[bluepencil]

i'm glad they're doing something to gratifi. i really wanted to like it, but nonexistant service, mediocre drinks and bland food are not a good combination at any price. here's hoping the revival does the neighborhood justice!

[Oildog]

I think many of the niche businesses in that area will suffer as it yuppifies with townhomes. Bar across street has had trouble as well. Maybe something more 'solid' than fancy would work there (see Harrys).

[Mr. Krinkle]

Originally Posted by Oildog

I think many of the niche businesses in that area will suffer as it yuppifies with townhomes. Bar across street has had trouble as well. Maybe something more 'solid' than fancy would work there (see Harrys).

Are you talking about Boheme? That place is always packed...one of my favorite bars in Houston.

Chachura seems to do pretty well and Max's Wine just opened.

[Oildog]

Didn't know Maxs had opened yet. Was thinking of Fairview, which closed last year.

[crono_clone]

Yeah, Max's opened last Thursday and I was there this weekend. You'd never know you were right in the middle of the gayborhood with Meteor and F Bar just across the street lol. Oh gentrification. It looks pretty similar to their location on Wash Ave, and they have a "seasonal" section on their menu that's different from the other location.

Yeah, I was disappointed when The Fairview closed. Judging by the crowd that's always at Cuchara and now Max's, maybe it was too laid back for the area? I also heard that their liquor and beer selection don't exactly stand out.

[theSUBlime]

I live two blocks from Gratifi and I really like their drinks, especially their Bloody Mary, but the service and food is kinda lacking. Cuchara is an overpriced waste of time. I still don't get it. Boheme seems like a laid back environment but often too busy for me now. They all have their issues. In a city this big and busy, I think you can survive with mediocre food, even expensive, mediocre food -- someone will like you or happen upon you. But when it comes down to it, I think you really have to have the decent service aspect of a restaurant down. Gratifi had a lot to work on...

[HookTheBrotherUp]

I noticed the other day they were "Red Tagged" by the city... I'm guessing it had something to do with the work done in the middle of the night a few weeks ago by the television crew. I wonder what permit they did not pull?