Spanish restaurant Artesano Tapas will close Saturday to make way for a new casual steakhouse from its owner, Fernando Martinez.

Martinez — the man behind Taco Luchador, Mussel & Burger Bar and several other restaurants — has teased the coming of Steak & Bourbon but had not yet said where the concept would be located.

On Friday, he confirmed that the new restaurant will soon take over the Artesano space in Westport Village, a shopping center north of Lyndon.

Artesano opened at 1321 Herr Lane about four years ago, Martinez said. And while it had its regulars, it didn't perform like the Olé Hospitality Group's other properties.

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"We think it's a good location, but we feel like Steak & Bourbon is a better fit for that location," Martinez said. "The concept has a bigger appeal to a bigger market."

Employees at Artesano will be asked to stay on at Steak & Bourbon, led by executive chef Jason Smith.

Martinez and Smith have been working on a menu for Steak & Bourbon for the last year, but a search for property in Louisville's east end kept them from opening the restaurant sooner.

Martinez said the decision to close Artesano was difficult. But after seeing reservations pour in for an upcoming Steak & Bourbon pop-up dinner, he knew trading out the restaurants was the right call.

The hospitality group has already begun remodeling the space — changing out decorations and furniture to give it more of a steakhouse feel. It will offer a sneak peak of the Steak & Bourbon menu there from April 30 through May 4.

Steak & Bourbon will officially open May 16, after a final week of preparations.

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"Some people are not liking the change because Artesano was their favorite restaurant," Martinez said. "It's a hard decision, but it's a decision we have to make as a company."

Steak & Bourbon is one of at least three new restaurants the Olé Hospitality Group plans to open this year.

In July, the company will open a fourth Taco Luchador in the renovated Colonial Gardens property near Iroquois Park. And later, it will open a fifth Taco Luchador in Jeffersontown.

Bailey Loosemore: 502-582-4646; bloosemore@courier-journal.com; Twitter: @bloosemore. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: www.courier-journal.com/baileyl.

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STEAK & BOURBON

What: A casual steakhouse from Olé Hospitality Group owner Fernando Martinez — the man behind Taco Luchador, Guaca Mole and Mussel & Burger Bar.

Where: 1321 Herr Lane in Westport Village

When: Opening May 16

More info: Visit steak-bourbon.com