Houston's In Metairie Replaced By Local Version Of Same.

[title type="h3"]Former Houston's In Metairie Back Open, But Something Else.[/title] Few developments on the restaurant front caused as much of a stir as did the closing of Houston's in Metairie a few months ago. One of the national chain's two local restaurants (the other one is at 1755 St. Charles Avenue, and is still open), the Metairie Houston's was one of the oldest and was immensely popular, such that waiting for a table was likely for most customers. I thought it was better than most chain "dinner houses" (as the industry calls restaurant like this), but I never found it interesting enough to draw me there unless my wife and daughter--both big fans of Houston's--wanted me to take them there. But the closing will likely not be a disaster for most of Houston's Metairie customers. It has reopened as Boulevard American Bistro, with Robert Hardie as manager and partner. Hardie, who was on my radio show a few weeks ago to discuss all this, was the boss of Houston's on St. Charles. He gave me the distinct impression that the things most liked by Houston's customers will persist at Boulevard. The actual owners of the revised restaurant is the locally-owned Creole Cuisine , whose other restaurants include Broussard's, Kingfish, Maspero's, Royal House, and the Bombay Club. They give this as an opening menu for the old/new place: [title type="h6"]Deviled eggs with sweet pickle relish Wood-fired artichokes Boulevard oysters (probably a la Drago) Grilled chicken salad, honey citrus vinaigrette, Thai-peanut sauce Seared tuna salad Wedge salad with Maytag blue cheese dressing Hamburgers Gulf fish sandwich Prime rib sandwich Lobster roll Rotisserie chicken Slow roasted pork chop Cedar plank salmon Seared sea scallops Prime rib Filet mignon Crab cakes Barbecue ribs [/title] Yep, sounds familiar to me, too. I still don't know why Houston's closed this place. It surely was very profitable. What I heard was that the owners thought the concept had played out. I also hear that they may reopen further up Veterans in a bigger location.

Boulevard American Bistro. Metairie: 4241 Veterans Blvd. 504-889-2301.