Againn Tavern, the British gastro pub that replaced the uber-popular Houston’s on Rockville Pike, closed its doors on May 26. The restaurant, owned by the Bethesda-based Whisk Group, will re-open under a different name, concept and décor, hopefully sometime in September, according to Romeo Santos, the restaurant’s general manager.
From the get-go, the restaurant had problems—not only did loyal Houston’s fans bemoan the loss of their favorite burger place, but other diners kept comparing the Rockville restaurant to its hip and popular sibling on New York Avenue in the District, also called Againn. To appease both crowds, the Rockville menu had a mixture of British and American offerings, but didn’t have a clear identity.
“The community did not connect with our concept,” says Santos. “The food for them was weird. We want to give them what they will connect with.”
And that, says Santos, will likely be all-American. Stay tuned.
