Mandola, Clemens sons open restaurant

Two proud Houston names— Mandola and Clemens— have joined forces for a restaurant called Katch 22 (referencing the number worn by Roger Clemens) that’s dedicated to offering good food (clearly, something in the Mandola family bloodline).

The restaurant, which quietly opened last week at 700 Durham in the home of the former Convivio, is a joint venture between Luke Mandola Jr., whose father owns the Ragin’ Cajun restaurants, and Kory Clemens, whose father is Roger “The Rocket” Clemens. Neither father, however, is an investor in the restaurant, which has been a year in themaking.

Mandola described the restaurant as “spirited American” boasting a “polished sports and spirits theme.” But don’t call it a sports bar, he said. That’s because sports bars don’t typically feature items such as grilled bacon-wrapped quail, salmon tartare, lobster sliders or a bonein ribeye you can wash down with a bottle of Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. The menu, the work of chef Clemens, also features crab cakes, Buffalo shrimp, fish tacos, pizza, wedge salad, lobster roll, kobe beef burger, chicken fried steak and glazed scallops.

Clemens studied at Austin’s Le Cordon Bleu and has worked at A Taste of Texas and Ragin’ Cajun before joining up with Mandola; the two worked together at Ragin’ Cajun.

“I’ve known his dad for probably 10 to 15 years,” Mandola said of the Clemenses. “I’ve gotten to know their family.”

Mandola, who has split from the Ragin’ Cajun operations, said Katch 22 feels something like a Houston restaurant (“It’s a comfortable ambience with good food”) and another big-name restaurant family in town (“It’s a good, comfortable, family restaurant; maybe an American-style Carrabba’s?”)

Whatever Katch 22 is, it is most certainly a proposition that Mandola and Clemens hope will be a home run. Their long-term goal is to brand Katch 22 as a multistore operation.

“As long as we put out good food, I’m confident,” Mandola said. “At the end of the day, you rest on your food.”

It doesn’t hurt, though, to have two great Houston names merged.

“You blend all that together? It’s a good pot for success.”

Houston Chronicle file Former Houston Astros pitcher Roger Clemens’ jerseys grace the new Katch 22 restaurant.

Courtesy Katch 22 Katch 22 owners are LukeMandola Jr., left, and chef Kory Clemens. Behind them is Roger Clemens, Kory’s father. Roger is not an investor in Katch 22, but several of his jerseys are displayed there.