They say bad news comes in threes. Less than two months after the closures of popular Montrose restaurants, Riel and Ostia, yet another neighborhood gem will permanently close its doors before the year is up. After nearly three decades as a cornerstone of Houston’s dining scene, Paulie’s Restaurant and its adjoining Camerata Wine Bar will serve its last meal, and last glass of wine, on Wednesday, December 31.
Paul Petronella, son of Bernard and Kathy Petronella who opened the original Paulie’s in 1998 and current operator, announced the news with heartfelt gratitude and reflection in a statement on Monday morning:
“After 27 years of serving our beloved community, it is with a heavy heart that we announce the closing of Paulie’s Restaurant and Camerata Wine Bar. Our family has been privileged to host countless gatherings, celebrations, and everyday meals for our loyal customers, and we are incredibly grateful for the support and memories that have been shared within our walls over the years. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, we were unable to reach a fair agreement with our landlord that would allow us to continue providing the quality experiences that you have come to know and love.”
The casual, counter-service Italian restaurant held court prominently on Westheimer Road, at the axis of Montrose and River Oaks. Its bright red sign drew in countless passersby for handmade pasta, Italian comfort plates, and sweet treats—none more popular than shortbread cookies, decorated for year-round occasions, big and small.
Paulie’s, and its neighboring bar, Camerata, marked simply by the word, “Wine” felt like a warm hug to locals. After enduring the closures of Riel and Ostia since August, the news feels like an extra hard pill to swallow.
Petronella’s lengthy statement expressed thanks to customers, staff, and suppliers who he has nurtured relationships with over the years. Like so many who are mourning the loss of countless independent restaurants in Houston this year alone, he used his statement to send a message to Houston diners, “We encourage everyone to continue supporting local businesses in the Houston community, as they are the heartbeat of our town.”
Petronella expresses his own emotional attachment to the time-honored restaurant, which he has worked in for more than half his life. “I grew up here, I learned here and I loved it here. Our family dedicated our lives to make it the best that we could. No regrets. I could not be more proud of our staff over the years and humbled by our very loyal and loving guests.”
He invites Houstonians to enjoy one last hurrah at Paulie’s and Camerata, as both will operate as usual through New Year’s Eve. And, as a final wave of support for his team he asks that anyone within Houston’s hospitality network looking for “diligent professionals” consider staff members of Paulie’s and Camerata in the new year.
The concepts have long served as a destination for rising stars, including master sommelier David Keck, who departed Camerata to open Goodnight Charlie’s in 2017; Erin Feges, who worked as a sommelier at Camerata before opening Feges BBQ with her husband Patrick in 2018; and more recently, Camerata’s current sommelier Elyse Wilson, a veteran of Uchi who also served as a cocktail judge for DiningOut’s RARE Steak Championship.
Petronella hints that he will not pivot far from restaurants, as he plans to transition into an industry that will deal with food and nutrition, with further details to come. For now, as the festive season draws near, he says his focus remains on celebrating a successful 27-year run.
