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

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.

Food
Leadership in Action: ‘Family, Community and Spiritual Connection’ Drives Success for Henry Richardson

How did you get to where you are today? The present moment is a combined history of my family, my time as an athlete, my passion for learning, and my desire to see the world be better. I grew up as a successful springboard and platform diver, however, an injury caused me to seek alternative treatments to heal my body. In that process, I discovered the power of yoga, exercise, meditation, mindset, and nutrition. This holistic approach eventually led me to open a Pilates and cycling studio called DEFINE body & mind. I opened studios around the nation, and after selling most of my business between 2017-2019, I was ready to explore how I could make an even greater impact on the wellbeing of our community. In 2023, I started actively working on a brand new multi-family/apartment concept called, Define Living. The idea focused on offering health and wellness services within a beautiful apartment setting to increase the wellbeing of our residents. Having a strong sense of community is the number one factor in living a happy life, so why not build a community where daily fitness, cooking classes, and social connection are the norm? We opened Define Living in March of 2024, and we couldn’t be happier with how things are being received. We are already looking at building more concepts like this in the Houston area and beyond.

Keep Reading Show less

Photo by Lynn Lane

HOUSTON GRAND OPERA’S second fall repertoire production is Gioachino Rossini’s Cinderella. The colorful, commedia dell'arte-inspired production opens Friday, Oct. 25, and stars Grammy Award-winning mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard — a breathtaking brunette beauty, even when doused in soot — in bel canto role of Angelina, known to her mean step-sisters as “Cenerentola.”

Keep Reading Show less
Art + Entertainment

BRETT MILLER WAS just 10 years old when his parents took him to a screening of the 1925 silent film, The Phantom of the Opera, starring Lon Chaney as “The Phantom” of the Paris Opera House, with an accompanying soundtrack played live by an organist. The film contains one of the most famous “reveals” on celluloid (We won’t give it away!) and is all the more shocking when accompanied by live music played on the Phantom’s favorite instrument.

Keep Reading Show less