Ronnie Killen, the chef/owner of Pearland’s Killen’s Steakhouse, anticipates opening a second location in the Heights in early July 2012.
Killen's Steakhouse Opening Second Location in the Heights
Houston, TX (Restaurant News Release) After months of speculation on where Ronnie Killen might park his second steakhouse, the chef/owner of Pearland’s Killen’s Steakhouse, has penned a deal at 1001 Studewood in the Heights, formerly occupied by Stella Sola. Killen anticipates opening his newest location in early July 2012.
“Killen’s Steakhouse in the Heights, now that makes me smile,” says Killen who, 24-hours after announcing the news, posted on facebook “I still can’t believe it!”
Killen says renovations to the space will be minimal. “We’ll replace the bar top with granite, remove the Stella Sola name from the tile floor, do some minor kitchen work, repaint the interior, replace the carpet, and close in the patio to allow an additional 30 seats.” Total capacity will be 165 seats, 24 for private dining.
Diners should expect to see much of the same menu items from Killen’s in Pearland, including his nationally recognized steaks and crème brûlée bread pudding, along with some more creative newcomers. “I’m looking forward to playing to a larger audience with a more adventurous palate,” says Killen, “and enjoying the freedom to be a bit more creative in the kitchen.” Unlike the original location in Pearland, Killen’s Heights location will also serve lunch. Killen will split his time at both locations.In recent months the Le Cordon Bleu graduate has been busy building on his already credible street cred, both locally and nationally. In December Killen was honored with an invitation to cook at the James Beard House in New York City. The sold-out event ended in a rousing standing ovation. More recently, his namesake restaurant was honored by Open Table as one of the “Top 100 Best Service Restaurants” in the country and by Food & Wine magazine as one of the “Best Steaks in the Country.” Locally, Killen took home the golden pig trophy for “People’s Choice Award” at “Go Pig or Go Home,” a friendly competition among Houston’s top chefs. And, after besting Bryan Caswell in the Kingsford Walmart Steak Challenge, Killen represented Houston in New York City to compete with seven top chefs nationwide for “Best Grilled Steak.”
