Bludorn Sets His Sights on Memorial, Will Open a 'Tavern' this Fall

Victoria Pappas Bludorn, Aaron Bludorn and Cherif Mbodji (photo by Alex Montoya)

THE TEAM BEHIND Houston’s acclaimed Bludorn and Navy Blue restaurants is expanding its footprint. The yet-to-be-named concept is slated to open late 2023 in Hedwig Village.

2022 James Beard Semifinalist Aaron Bludorn, along with his business partners — wife Victoria Pappas Bludorn and Cherif Mbodji — have leased the former home of Jonathan’s the Rub, a 4,900-square-foot space tucked away just off I-10 at 9061 Gaylord Drive.

Their third hometown venture will take inspiration from the bustling bar at Bludorn with a classic, upscale tavern feel; the restaurant will be open daily for lunch, dinner and cocktail service. The Memorial project follows the much-anticipated fall 2022 unveiling of Navy Blue, the modern-American seafood restaurant in Rice Village that pays homage to the gems of the Texas Gulf Coast.

“This location is particularly special to us given that Victoria grew up in the Memorial area,” said Aaron Bludorn in a release.

Since opening Bludorn in the summer of 2020, the talented trio has not only earned popular and critical acclaim, but also raised over $100,000 for non-profit organizations, including C-CAP, World Central Kitchen, Texas Food and Wine Alliance and the Houston-based Southern Smoke Foundation.

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