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A seismic shift is quietly happening at one of Houston’s most prominent steakhouses. Underground Hospitality is in final negotiations to sell its steakhouse Georgia JamesCultureMap has learned.

The new owners will be the partners behind Bari Restaurantthe Italian restaurant that opened last year in the River Oaks neighborhood. Underbelly Hospitality owner Todd Mason and members of Bari’s management and ownership team shared the news with Georgia James staff during a meeting on Wednesday, July 3.

While a representative for Underbelly Hospitality told CultureMap that the deal has not yet been finalized, the new owners are already planning to leave their mark on the restaurant. They’ve revised the menu offered for Houston Restaurant Weeks and announced changes to staff uniforms that will be implemented later this month, according to an email from Bari partner Pedro Teyuca that was shared with CultureMap.

At this point, it’s unclear what other changes, if any, Bari’s team plans to make to the restaurant’s menu or decor. Bari representatives declined to comment, saying the deal to acquire the restaurant has not yet been finalized.

Underbelly Hospitality Founding Chef Chris Shepherd opened Georgia James in 2018The restaurant sets itself apart from traditional steakhouses in a few key ways. Notably, it cooks all of its steaks on cast iron—rather than a grill—to ensure a proper crust that enhances their flavor. In the spirit of Underbelly, the pioneering Houston restaurant where Shepherd won a James Beard Award for Best Chef: Southwest, Georgia James serves sides and appetizers inspired by Houston’s immigrant culinary traditions, like Viet-Cajun roasted oysters, pho-spiced beef carpaccio, and roasted pork belly with gochujang cucumbers. Her extravagant “Baller Boards”—giant wooden boards loaded with meat, seafood, and sides—have become a social media sensation.

The concept received considerable reception, and was even named the best new restaurant of 2019 by Texas Monthly Critic Pat Sharpe. Most recently, it was one of 1,500 restaurants to win the prestigious Best of Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator.

Georgia James originally replaced Underbelly at 1100 Westheimer. In 2022, she moved to her current home in the Regent Square Mixed-Use Development.

The sale of Georgia James is just the latest change at Underbelly Hospitality since The shepherd’s paths have parted with the company two years ago. In June, the company closed Comalitoher Mexico City-inspired taqueria after just seven months in business. In March, she closed her Italian restaurant Pastor after less than a year of activity. The company will continue to operate Wild Oatshis Texas comfort food restaurant in Spring Branch, two locations of Burger with a hungry bellyand J9 Wine Bar in Chicago, Illinois.