Savoir and Patton’s Steakhouse Shake Up Management Team with Announcement of Three New Executive Changes
Chef Eric Johnson has been promoted to Culinary Director, Lexey Davis Johnson joins the team as Director of Operations, and Toby Schwebel leads the team as General Manager.
Houston, TX – November 17, 2022 – After a strong three years since opening its Houston Heights doors in 2019, Savoir and Patton’s Steakhouse owners Haig and Hien Papaian make a savvy update to their executive team just in time for a long-awaited celebration of coming together this holiday season. The big change offers new forays into their unique restaurant experiences, while still honoring favorites of their patrons.
In their latest executive roles, Chef Eric Johnson, Culinary Director, Lexey Davis Johnson, Director of Operations, and Toby Schwebel, General Manager, offer a fine-tuned management and creative team that will deliver the best of the best to new and returning guests.
During his three years at Savoir, Chef Eric Johnson has led culinary concepts for the opening of both Savoir and Patton’s steakhouse. He introduced over a hundred new menu items including some of Savoir’s most popular dishes. His experiences and travels inspired him to design menu concepts of his own that were missing in the Houston culinary scene. In his previous role as Executive Chef at Savoir he pushed for a new dining experience - the steakhouse speakeasy that became Patton’s Steakhouse. Now, with Chef Eric Johnson at the helm of his culinary creations, The Papaian Group will be highlighting his signature dishes alongside seasonal and themed plates and plan to take his creations to the next level in upcoming projects.
Additionally, Savoir announced the appointment of Lexey Davis Johnson as Director of Operations, who has been in hospitality for over 20 years and served as the Wine Director at acclaimed restaurants including Doris Metropolitan, Berg Hospitality and B&B Butchers. Johnson is a well-respected sommelier and dining experience leader. Toby Schwebel, newly promoted to General Manager, joined Savoir in January 2022 to lead the successful launch of Patton’s speakeasy steakhouse in March, making it the experience it’s known for today. He spent the last decade as a wine buyer, restaurant designer and operations leader. Together, both Johnson and Schwebel’s unique backgrounds ensure a memorable experience for Savoir and Patton’s guests.
“We are thrilled to have our team of combined talent,” Haig Papaian, co-owner of The Papaian Group said. “The most exciting change for us will be a much more enhanced customer experience. With Chef Eric Johnson, who has been with us since day one as Culinary Director, our guests will experience the familiar tastes that we’re known for and new craveable items that we believe will please our customers’ palates. And with the dynamic duo of Lexey Davis Johnson as Director of Operations and Toby Schwebel as General Manager, we’re truly excited for visitors to experience an elevated customer service.”
Savoir opened in 2019 and found success in its warm and comforting yet upscale eats. So when the team opened Patton’s Steakhouse, a luxurious steakhouse speakeasy behind the Savoir wine cellar, the restaurant thrilled guests with their new concept: a buzzing venue filled with live jazz, curated cocktails, and indulgent plates. There is more to anticipate from The Papaian Group’s executive team. Haig and Hien plan to announce new concepts in the near future to fill some of the gaps in nightlife and dining in the Heights and Garden Oaks/Oak Forest areas.
For more information, visit savoirhouston.com / pattonsheights.com and follow @savoirhouston / @pattonssteakhouse on Instagram.
