Chef Lance Fegen’s Namesake Restaurant in the Heights Closes After One Year — Updated
Fegen's Classic Martini – Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, dry vermouth, orange bitters with a lemon twist or olive garnish. Photo by Carla Gomez.
Chef-owner Lance Fegen and his F.E.E.D TX restaurant group partners announced this morning that the chef’s namesake restaurant, Fegen’s at 1050 Studewood, has closed after only a year in business. While an announcement was made on the restaurant’s Facebook page, there no information was shared on exactly why it’s closing. Additionally, a public relations rep for F.E.E.D. TX told us via email, “I don’t have any more information to share at this time.”
That aside, Fegen texted Houston Chronicle food editor Greg Morago, writing that he wanted “to get to my next stage and a more purpose driven life” and that he has “a number of personal projects he is pursuing.”
The location was formerly the original Liberty Kitchen, and the last vestige of F.E.E.D. TX’s previously formidable restaurant holdings. One Liberty Kitchen in Garden Oaks closed in 2017. Other restaurants, such as State Fare and two other Liberty Kitchens — Liberty Kitchen & Oysterette and Liberty Kitchen at The Treehouse — were sold to Houston-based group Culinary Khancepts, which also owns Star Cinema Grill.
Fegen’s focused on Southern-Italian and American-Italian fare, such as The Meatball with tomato gravy, pecorino and crusted bread, Linguine & Clam Sauce in red or white and Sicilian pizza. There was a cocktail program, with a visually impressive martini service.
The restaurant was among Houston Food Finder’s Best New Restaurants of 2021. It was applauded for its “mature atmosphere that compliments a kitchen that is serving up standards from the Great American Songbook of nationally loved dishes,” as well as for bringing forward old favorites from prior F.E.E.D TX restaurants, such as 40oz. to Freedom All-Star Gumbo from Liberty Kitchen and BRC’s Pub Burger and multiple styles of macaroni and cheese.
Phaedra Cook has written about Houston’s restaurant and bar scene since 2010. She was a regular contributor to My Table magazine (now closed) and was the lead restaurant critic for the Houston Press for two years, eventually being promoted to food editor. Cook founded Houston Food Finder in November 2016 and has been its editor and publisher ever since.
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