La Lucha

An homage to chef-owner Ford Fry’s childhood visits to the shuttered San Jacinto Inn (the longtime institution famous for over-the-top fried chicken and Gulf seafood dinners), La Lucha, meaning “the fight” in reference to the Battle of San Jacinto, is a cozy, neighborhood dinette. The restaurant combines influences from historic Texan saloons with vintage lounges, and a large, central bar features warm wood antique cabinets and a grandfather clock. Frontier wood beams line the ceiling and plastered brick walls are juxtaposed with concrete flooring and midnight-colored woodwork, creating a cozy atmosphere. Colorful rugs and relaxed seating surround the lounge which overlooks the hearth-like, wood-fired grill. Using an eclectic, curated mix of materiality, furnishings and art, the design evokes the familiarity of a living room.