Shocking Restaurant News: B-19’s Cooper and Clark ‘Part Ways,’ Divvy Up Famous Eateries

Shocking Restaurant News: B-19’s Cooper and Clark ‘Part Ways,’ Divvy Up Famous Eateries

Grant Cooper and Charles Clark at the late great Ibiza in Midtown.

THE FORMER PARTNERS of the noted Clark Cooper Concepts restaurant company — whose eateries have included the River Oaks shopping strip’s Brasserie 19 and the Rice Village’s similarly scene-y Gratify — issued separate press releases this morning announcing that founding chef Charles Clark and founding restaurateur Grant Cooper have split.


Per a rep for Clark: “Charles Clark and Grant Cooper have decided to part ways after 20 years as business partners. Charles Clark will take the reins and become the face of Brasserie 19. The decision comes as Charles wanted to maintain one to two simple concepts and Grant desired to grow in a different direction.”

“There is no bad blood between me and Grant,” said Clark in a statement. “We just wanted different things. Grant wants to expand and do different concepts, and I want to grow in a different way. I want to do a lounge and continue the legacy and tradition of Brasserie 19.”

The brightly white-marble-washed brasserie is widely known to the in-crowd that has long patronized it as B-19. The see-and-be scene was the follow-up to Clark Cooper Concepts’ first huge hit, the late great Ibiza in Midtown, which highlighted the affable Clark’s aplomb with Mediterranean fare and seafood — and Cooper’s room-working charm.

Clark added of the recent news, “Why should we be locked to each other? We have worked well together for over 20 years and have built many successful restaurants. I value the partnership and success Grant and I have both seen over the years. This separation gives us both the opportunity to do what we want.”

Camp Cooper positioned the breakup this way: Cooper and Clark “will no longer operate under the Clark Cooper Concepts umbrella. They part as friends, looking forward to continuing to serve the community of loyal patrons that have become like family to them.”

Cooper — the ever-cool, gray-bearded, hipster-hat-wearing man about the dining room — will rebrand as Good Vibe Hospitality, he says, and maintain full ownership of former duo’s Coppa Osteria, which is the popular Italian restaurant next door to Gratify, and the upcoming Flora, set to open next month in the beautiful, twinkling space formerly called The Dunlavy on Allen Parkway.

Cooper’s rep added that the restaurateur “feels lucky to embark on this upcoming journey.”

The now closed Ibiza

The kitchen at Ibiza

The wine wall at Ibiza

The lounge at Gratify

Gratify Oysters on the Half Shell

Entrees at Gratify

Food
Expect ‘Complete Beauty and Medical Gym Experience’ at Montrose Med Spa

MONTROSE MED SPA is consistently focused on one thing: the patient. The boutique spa is intentionally designed as haven where clients can realize their aesthetic and wellness aspirations in a secure and comforting environment. Business partners Maricela and Ashley pride themselves on their unwavering commitment to the patient and continuous learning ensuring that clients receive the most safe and effective treatments available. Intentional wellness of placing emphasis on inner well-being and self-care is the vision of the spa and they have curated a team of highly trained professionals who share this philosophy. With this vision in mind, Maricela and Ashley have developed a complete beauty and medical gym experience. Services provided include Medical Weight Loss, EMsculpt Neo, EMface, HydraFacial (face & body), Fillers, Neurotoxins, Microneedling, VI Chemical Peels, and IV Therapy. LUXURY BEAUTY & MEDICAL GYM MEMBERSHIPS available. Schedule your complimentary skin analysis consultation and receive $100 off your first treatment. 713.485.5027, 2505 Dunlavy St. Houston, TX 77006 Follow us on Instagram.


Keep Reading Show less

THE UPCOMING AIA Houston Home Tour is always an anticipated fall event, a style showcase from some of the city’s best architects, designers and tastemakers. The two-day, self-guided tour includes several custom homes in the area that exhibit design excellence, innovative design solutions, and sustainable features.

Keep Reading Show less
Home + Real Estate

What is your mission? Launched in 2006, Kids’ Meals’ mission is to end childhood hunger in Houston by delivering free, healthy meals year-round to the doorsteps of Houston’s hungriest preschool-aged children and through collaboration, provide their families with resources to end the cycle of poverty.

Keep Reading Show less