Asian cuisine could be headed for Boston’s Back Bay.
Shlomo Salomon, landlord for the premier property, said the deal to put a Houston’s restaurant in the space has collapsed. Instead, he expects to sign a lease with Charles Sarkis, BBRG’s president, within a week for the 10,000-square-foot space.
Houston’s is the popular national chain with a location in the shadow of Faneuil Hall at the former Houlihan’s space across from City Hall. The clientele is a combination of businessmen and tourists who feast on heaping plates of steaks, salads and sandwiches, according to Citysearch, a Web-based restaurant review site.
“The last thing that Charlie wants is a heavy hitter like Houston’s in his neighborhood, because they are a popular brand,” said Charles Perkins, president of The Boston Restaurant Group, a Boxford-based restaurant brokerage firm. “Charlie will do well there. Frankly, he had to protect his six other establishments.”
Sarkis owns Papa Razzi, Abe & Louie’s, Atlantic Fish, Bouchee, Charley’s and Joe’s American Bar & Grill in the Back Bay.
Sarkis did not return a call seeking comment. Brokers familiar with the deal said the rent at Friday’s was $50 per square foot while Sarkis is expected to pay $65.
Despite troubled times for many restaurants, Sarkis should do well, said Perkins, who predicted that the new restaurant will serve Asian food.
“Charlie has a steakhouse, one that serves seafood, Italian, French and American, so I’m convinced he’ll do something Asian,” he said. “Asian is hot right now and that space screams for it.”
Salomon said he had difficulty filling the space because Friday’s sold its liquor license, making the space difficult to lease. Last month, The Boston Courant broke the story that Solomon is suing Friday’s for $1.8 million because Friday’s allegedly breached its lease agreement when it sold the license.
“Charles Sarkis is not only well-connected, he also apparently has a liquor license and he can make this happen,” Solomon said.
