Michelin Guide withdraws Bib Gourmand award after learning Houston restaurant had closed

The Michelin Guide has withdrawn a Bib Gourmand from a Houston restaurant after finding it had closed. Vietnamese restaurant Kâu Ba , in the Montrose neighborhood, has lost its distinction, the Guide announced in a press release Thursday.

"Upon further investigation, our team has discovered the restaurant has been permanently closed since our Inspection team's visits occurred," the statement reads.

Kâu Ba closed in early November, as announced by a now-deleted Instagram post. The restaurant's entire social media account has disappeared. The account hinted at further updates about a new dining experience.

Although Kâu Ba is still listed on the Guide's site for Bib Gourmand awards , its profile directs to a page that reads, "Restaurant not found."

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Chef Nikki Tran spoke to Eater Houston via email upon the rescission of her restaurant's Bib Gourmand award.

"This is a heartbreaking situation, but we understand and respect Michelin's decision to remove Kâu Ba from its selection," Tran wrote. "Exercising an abundance of caution from a legal position, I am not able currently to share further details of our situation but I do hope to follow up soon with more information. Until then, on behalf of the entire Kâu Ba team, we want to thank the entire culinary community for the recognition and support. Kâu Ba is proud of the dishes we created and look forward to sharing very soon what's next."

A press release sent Monday night during the Michelin ceremony revealed a new restaurant would be opening at Kâu Ba's former location. Alora , a Peruvian and Vietnamese restaurant, also took to social media with the announcement.

A representative from Alora told Eater Houston that Tran is not involved in that restaurant and that its chefs have yet to be announced. The press release confirmed that Southern Dandy LLC, the previous owner and operator of Kâu Ba, had sold its assets to Alora co-owner Louis Lamson Quy and several business partners.

Alora's Instagram account lists the address in its biography, along with a line that reads, ""