Amazing Airport Dining

Bush Intercontinental gets new restaurants from 5 top chefs; 8,000 iPads make ordering easy

Dining out at Bush Intercontinental Airport will soon get a lot more exciting as United Airlines has announced ambitious plans to elevate the dining and shopping experience at its large Houston hub.

Working with the airport restaurant management company OTG, United is creating five restaurants in the new Terminal C North Concourse inspired by some of Houston's most notable chefs, with thousands of iPads to place orders and have food delivered at the restaurant, the gate or other airport locations.

The restaurants, which will open next year, will offer farm-to-terminal offerings from local markets and innovative dining spaces designed by the Rockwell Group architectural firm.

Five top Houston chefs will offer unique dining experiences at the airport. They include:

Chef Roland Laurenzo will create Vida Taqueria reminiscent of his renowned El Tiempo Cantina. His mother, Mama Ninfa, is widely acknowledged for introducing fajitas in Houston in the 1970s.
Coltivare chef Ryan Pera will bring local, seasonal pizzas to the terminal in his restaurant to be named later, a reflection of his strong dedication to using local ingredients and sustainable practices.
Chef John Nguyen, who merges Cajun seafood staples with Vietnamese flair at the Cajun Kitchen, will offer a similarly themed restaurant at the airport called Bam Bam. It will feature grilled and raw oysters, including Cajun Kitchen’s famous oyster nachos, Vietnamese-Cajun boils and po-boys all paired with a selection of rotating local and regional beers.
Chef Monica Pope will create a Panini Bar, featuring sandwiches and salads emphasizing local ingredients.
Underbelly chef Chris Shepherd, who was named 2014 James Beard Best Chef Southwest, will open a Houston-focused tavern called Ember, emphasizing local seasonal produce, seafood from the Gulf, and locally-sourced meats, including hand-cut steaks and Texas-sized burgers.

Leading-edge technology will be emphasized throughout the United terminals (C, E and B South) with nearly 8,000 iPads allowing customers to order food, retail items and other amenities, along with entertainment options. Orders can be placed from the restaurants or at tech-enhanced gate areas featuring lounge-style seating.

United MileagePlus members at Bush Intercontinental will be able to use award miles to purchase items at select CIBO Express Gourmet Markets in Terminal E. The markets feature an array of healthy options and offerings from local purveyors.

The new plans for Bush Intercontinental closely mirror well-received changes that have been implemented at the United terminal at Newark, a major hub. In a two-year project that is nearing completion at the end of the year in Newark, the terminal area has been equipped with cutting edge technology, chef-driven dining, and trendsetting design that make hanging out at the airport a bit more fun.

Chris Shepherd, shown with Katie Couric in recent photo, will open Ember, an airport tavern featuring seafood from the Gulf, and locally-sourced meats, including hand-cut steaks and Texas-sized burgers.

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2-acre Houston patio bar rebrands with new name and family-friendly menu

Photo by Sean Rainer

The bar's patio includes 10,000-square-feet of turf.

A bar in Houston’s Near Northside neighborhood is switching things up with a new name and revised menu. Effectively immediately, Woodland Social is now known as White Oak Social.

Simply put, the new name is designed to end confusion about the bar’s location, which many people assumed was in The Woodlands. In fact, it’s located next to popular concert venue White Oak Music Hall, which is reflected in the new name.

“We wanted a name that truly represented where we are and the community we serve,” the bar’s owners said in a statement. “Many guests thought we were located in The Woodlands, so renaming the business to White Oak Social makes our location clear and aligns our brand with the neighborhood we love.”

Along with the new name comes a few improvements. They include an outdoor playground that’s designed to appeal to area families, many of whom are already regulars.

In addition, the restaurant has broadened its menu. While pizzas still remain, White Oak Social now offers burgers, chicken tenders, more entrees, and a kids menu. An all-new brunch menu includes updated cocktails and more options for kids.

Piper’s Hospitality Group (Preslee’s Southern Good Eatery) opened Woodland Social in 2024. Originally named for the Woodland Heights neighborhood, the two-acre property has an 8,000-square-foot main bar area, a 15,000-square-foot outdoor patio that includes 10,000-square-feet of turf, and more than 100 parking spaces.

“We’re excited for this next chapter,” the group said. “The new name, the expanded menu, and the playground show our commitment to being a neighborhood gathering place for all ages.”

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