Douglas Rodrigues Takes Over at Liquid Art House

Douglas Rodrigues / Photo courtesy of ZARMIK MOQTADERI

Douglas Rodrigues is now on the line at Liquid Art House as executive chef, the restaurant announced today. The former executive chef at Clio spent the last year-plus elevating the fare at Brian Poe’s Tip Tap Room, and now he is taking over for the gallery-restaurant’s founding chef, Rachel Klein.

Klein has left the high-concept Back Bay spot to open her own restaurant, RFK Kitchen in Needham, Eater Boston reported.

Rodrigues, a Scituate native, grew up planning to go pro as a skateboarder, but instead he worked his way up over seven years to be Ken Oringer’s right hand at Clio. “I owe my cooking spirit to him, but my work ethic got me there,” Rodrigues said in a press release.

At Liquid Art House, Rodrigues plans to gradually introduce nightly tasting menus. After the holiday season, Rodrigues will launch a reimagined menu with an “Asian-nuanced, modern global” edge to it, according to the release. He’ll channel his unique style into the new menu, offering more small plates, an expanded list of dumplings, as well as a casual bar for drinks and the popular menu item.

“Douglas brings an exciting energy to the kitchen and I’m confident his cuisine will ultimately help our brand to evolve,” Liquid Art House founder Ruta Laukien said.

Interested in seeing Rodrigues in action in another totally unique setting? Check him out next week at Stone & Skillet’s English Muffin Pizza Throwdown, where he’ll take on the snack food and yo mama jokes with a handful of other all-star chefs.

Liquid Art House has become one of Boston’s most exciting new restaurants since it opened last spring in the renovated Arlington building. Debuting as the city’s first art-dining hybrid, eye-catching, approachable dishes are served alongside rotating exhibits of contemporary art and design.

Liquid Art House, 100 Arlington St., Boston; 617-457-8130, liquidarthouse.com.