Just one week shy of the flagship’s first anniversary in Creve Coeur, Qui Tran of Nudo House has announced the second location will be in the East Loop, just east of Delmar Hall, directly across from Tavolo V and Guerrilla Street Food.
The saga of Nudo House has been well-documented, from its initial planning to the extensive research to a full redesign to its much-anticipated opening.
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From day one, Tran and business partner/chef Marie-Anne Velasco sensed the venture would be a success. Popularity and critical acclaim led to a visit from Food & Wine magazine and a subsequent February 2018 cover story, which catapulted the suburban 70-seater into the national culinary stratosphere.
Developers almost immediately began pitching him about the next location, Tran says. He ended up “coming full circle, back to where it all started, on Delmar Boulevard,” he says, referring to his family’s restaurant, Mai Lee, which began 34 years ago in a humble strip center at Delmar and I-170.
The design and layout will be similar to the flagship (pictured below), Tran explains, although the 2,500-square-foot space is more square than shotgun. Expect expanded sake offerings, signature cocktails, and possibly Asian-inspired slushies.
The menu will be slightly expanded and feature more specials and chef collaborations. Veteran chef (and city dweller) Chris Ladley will move to the new location, and Velasco will float between the two locations. “And I’ll be jumping between the three restaurants like a madman,” Tran says.
He anticipates the 30-seat patio will see a lot of activity, he says, considering “people in the Loop are are always on the streets and love to hang out.” Communal patio seating will encourage people to share meals together, which Tran strongly advocates.
The East Loop could become the next new hot spot, he says, referencing the area’s existing restaurants: Pi Pizzeria, Fork n Stix, Gokul, Tavolo V, and Guerrilla Street Food, among others. Joe Edwards also just announced a new indoor mini-golf facility, and new Indian restaurant Masala is slated to open. All of the businesses will be located along the forthcoming trolley line, which will likely be operational by the time that Nudo House opens in March or April 2019.
New to the mix will be a line of branded, house-made products for sale—miso, soy products, house sauces, and the like. Ramen kits (bringing the Nudo House experience home, so to speak) are also in consideration.
Since the building is new, Tran says he doesn’t expect the delays experienced in Creve Coeur. “We’re happy with what we achieved out there,” but confesses, “it did take us a while.” Regarding expansion, Tran says his team “is set to do a few more—but Step 1 is location Number 2.”
In the ’80s, he reflects, he’d distribute Mai Lee flyers to U. City neighborhoods, either on foot or on bike. To further return to his roots, the multi-restaurant owner–turned–local celeb says the new location might offer the same service.
“This time, I don’t even need a bike to do it,” he quips. “I’ll just rent a LimeBike.”
