HEIGHTS RESTAURANT MILL 
Scott Tycer tells Cleverley Stone he’s planning to turn his unused restaurant space in the Heights’ former Oriental Textile Mill on 22nd St. at Lawrence into a “casual dining concept” called Kraftsmen Café. Tycer shuttered his Textile restaurant at that location in June, but kept the Kraftsmen Bakery operating. The cafe will feature pastries, breakfast tacos, beer, and wine, and will open in November, Tycer says. Meanwhile, former Textile executive chef Ryan Hildebrand is leaving to open his own new place, to be called Triniti — in a so-far-undisclosed location. [Cleverley’s Houston Restaurant Blog; previously on Swamplot] Photo: Heights Blog
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Ah yes. Ryan Hildebrand. Ashland House.
In early 2006 he had a house on the National Register demolished so he could build a very swanky new restaurant. Ashland House was ‘dozed about 14 hours after the permit showed up on line.
The lot remains vacant.
A variety of signs have gone up and down over the years. I believe the current one says something about luxury condos.
What’s the deal with Tycer? Bad economy? His restaurants always get good reviews, but he can’t keep them open.
If you want to “enjoy” that old building, check out Shana Ross Fitness at the other end of the block. This private studio caters to the health and fitness needs of menopausal women, baby boomers, and those living with/recovering from illness or injury. Her clients, including ME, LOVE the funky workout space and the caring, enthusiastic trainers. http://www.shanarossfitness.com
“What’s the deal with Tycer? Bad economy? His restaurants always get good reviews, but he can’t keep them open.”
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This particular restaurant had a very ambitious concept: 5 and 7-course tasting menus at triple-digit prices. There ARE restaurants that make this concept work, but they do it by constantly innovating and changing the menu, if not on a daily basis than at least weekly or monthly, whereas Textile’s tasting menus changed very little during the time it was open.
Textile opened to reasonably good reviews, but within a year, it started to seem pretty much phoned-in.
Textile needed people from all over town, and out of town, to want to come eat there to make it work. With all due respect, the Heights doesn’t have this magnetic dining scene to make it happen. Also, the only reason anyone would reasonably FIND the thing is its address is 22nd street, and you can use your common sense. There’s a reason the powerhouse 4 star restaurants are in well established locations…
Thanks, Finesse, Bad Karma clings