Eric Morris to open Faces Bar/Bistro in late March in the Highlands

Hello: Faces Bar/Bistro

Chef Eric Morris, who formerly owned Gospel Bird and Hull & High Water, will open his new concept in the Highlands. The expected opening of Faces Bar/Bistro is estimated for late March.

The 2,100-square-foot space located at 1604 Bardstown Road is the former home of Stout Burgers & Beer, which closed in November, and La Bodega Tapas Bar.

In a social media post, Morris said the new restaurant will be “nothing fancy with tons of vegan/vegetarian options as well as meat and seafood based dishes.”

He also posted the recently completed logo (above), which was designed by Mike Thompson. Thompson also designed the menus and all the branding for Faces, according to Morris. The signage logo, Morris said, was designed to “pop amongst the mix of great boutiques, shops and restaurants that line the block.”

Chinese sticky ribs are an expected menu item when Faces Bar/Bistro opens. (Photo courtesy of Eric Morris)

Nearby are Acorn Apparel, General Eccentric, Guitar Emporium and Café 360. The restaurant will be directly next door to Louvino, which is not a coincidence – Louvino owners Chad and Lauren Coulter own the property at 1604 Bardstown Road.

Morris’ previous two concepts were popular destinations in New Albany early in their respective existences, but Gospel Bird closed in late 2018 with Morris citing fatigue from operating both restaurants simultaneously as well as the proximity between the two.

After shifting focus to Hull and High Water, however, the seafood concept then closed last October.

Morris posted photos of a couple of future Faces menu items that look pretty tempting: Chinese sticky ribs and a chili relleno grilled cheese. Commenters on Facebook already are drooling over the photos; take a look and you’ll see why.

Morris said via text that he isn’t ready to offer more details, but we’ll certainly report more when we know more.

Chille relleno grilled cheese. (Photo courtesy of Eric Morris)