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    Restaurant Revival

    Celebrity chef taps Houston food whiz to revive restaurants — and it seems to be working

    Eric Sandler
    May 27, 2015 | 11:37 am

    Even in Houston's constantly shifting restaurant world, Bradley Ogden's saga has been a bizarre one.

    In 2013, the two-time James Beard Award winner shuttered his concepts in Las Vegas and decided his future lay in the Bayou City. He opened two Houston restaurants at the end of 2013 and beginning of 2014 — fast-casual Funky Chicken and more upscale Bradley's Fine Diner — under the direction of his son Bryan, who moved to Houston to oversee the operations and prepare for a third restaurant called Pour Society that would open that fall in Gateway Memorial City next to sushi restaurant Kuu.

    "I think everybody likes a challenge, and this was about the biggest one I could think to take," Lowry tells CultureMap.

    Fine Diner, despite its ridiculous "big f-ing deal" acronym, seemed to have some potential. The menu included some of Ogden's classic comfort food like his oak-grilled burger and pot roast along with high-quality akaushi steaks and slightly more adventurous fare like domestic caviar and frogs legs.

    Despite Ogden's celebrity pedigree, the restaurant was a major disappointment, the exotic ingredients disappeared and diners stayed away in droves.

    Over the last six months, the restaurant has only averaged $8,500 per month in mixed beverage sales, according to data published by the State Comptroller's Office. In contrast, Coltivare, which is located about a mile from BFD and opened a few months before it, averaged over $100,000 in sales each month.

    Double down

    Rather than abandon his Houston efforts, Ogden has doubled down. In April, he hired Greg Lowry away from his role as chef de cuisine at Triniti to serve as corporate chef for his Texas efforts. Lowry has developed a new menu for BFD and enlisted Matthew Lovelace, formerly of Paul's Kitchen, to serve as chef de cuisine at Pour Society when it opens in July.

    "I think everybody likes a challenge, and this was about the biggest one I could think to take," Lowry tells CultureMap. "It was about me stepping out on my own and making a name for myself."

    Lowry offers a direct critique of Ogden's initial approach to Houston, which included a quote to Eater Las Vegas about Houston being "starving for great places to eat," as part of his motivation to open restaurants here.

    "I think they really shot themselves in the foot with the way they talked about coming to Houston and saying Houston needed a good restaurant," Lowry says. "Houston has awesome restaurants everywhere. I think not having someone who was local to Houston who knows the market and the people really hurt them."

    Lowry has introduced a host of new dishes designed to fit the "fine diner" aesthetic while appealing to local tastes.

    Ogden signature items like the Yankee pot roast, burger and butterscotch pudding remain, but Lowry has introduced a host of new dishes designed to fit the "fine diner" aesthetic while appealing to local tastes. They include: an updated oyster BLT that uses Gulf oysters and prosciutto; salmon with green garlic pesto and spring vegetables; pork belly with gnocchi; and a show-stopping "low country" burger that's topped with pimento cheese and guanciale and served on a brioche bun.

    The offerings are compelling and prices are reasonable. Lowry says the initial response has been positive but he concedes the restaurant has more to work to do to earn a second chance.

    "It’s hard for me to come in after all this stuff has happened and try to recover it, but I think we can get it. I’m pretty positive we can," he says. "We just need to be nice to people. That’s the thing. People are coming here and spending their hard-earned money. That needs to be the experience. It needs to evoke childhood memories."

    Lowry adds that one thing people shouldn't worry about is whether the company is committed to the Houston market. With the new hirings and a push to finalize Pour Society, he thinks Ogden's ventures are back on track.

    "There’s not been any talk about anything negative at all through (Ogden's management team)," Lowry says. "They’re very positive about it. The outlook is really good. From being in my position, dealing with owners like this, they’re committed to it and fully behind us, 100 percent."

    Pork belly with gnocchi and spring vegetables.

    Bradley's Fine Diner gnocchi
      
    Photo by Andrea Weir
    Pork belly with gnocchi and spring vegetables.
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    Tequila and Tacos

    Celebrate Cinco de Mayo 2025 at these Houston bars and restaurants

    Brianna Griff
    May 2, 2025 | 4:42 pm
    Picos Cinco de Mayo Margarita
    By Becca Wright
    Picos has margaritas for $10 all day on Cinco de Mayo.

    It’s Cinco de Mayo weekend in Houston, and this city knows how to celebrate Mexico's victory at the Battle of Puebla. From sizzling street tacos and refreshing margaritas to live mariachi music and cultural festivities, there’s no shortage of ways to join the fiesta. We’ve compiled a few of the festivities happening around the city. So, pour yourself a shot of tequila, grab a taco, and enjoy a reason to celebrate with friends.

    Axelrad
    This beloved Midtown beer garden is keeping it chill with all-day margarita specials on Monday, May 5. From 2 pm to midnight, enjoy house margaritas for $5 (add a flavor for $1). Then, settle into a comfy hammock in Axelrad’s spacious backyard to relax.

    Candente
    Cinco de Mayo celebrations at the Michelin-recognized Tex-Mex restaurant will span three days, from May 3–5. On Saturday and Sunday, enjoy all-day festivities including tequila tastings, a DJ, and a photo booth. On Monday, a traveling mariachi band will set the mood while diners feast on Tex-Mex favorites, paired with margaritas, micheladas, and other cocktails from multiple satellite bars. Seating is first-come, first-served.

    Cyclone Anaya
    All six Houston-area Cyclone Anaya’s locations are marking Cinco de Mayo with food and drink specials and live music. Stop by for $5 margaritas, two tacos for $5, and mariachi band performances throughout the day. Whether you’re in the mood to sip, snack, or dance, this classic Houston Tex-Mex joint is ready to party.

    Late August
    For Cinco de Mayo, executive chef Sergio Hidalgo presents a special three-course Taco Omakase menu, offering a refined take on tacos through an Afro-Mexican lens. Each course can be paired with wines selected by Level 3 Sommelier Danny Davis. This exclusive dining experience is available for dinner only on May 5. Reservations are highly recommended.

    Maximo
    This West U. Mexican restaurant from the team behind Local Foods and Milton's is going all out on Monday. From 5-8 pm, the restaurant's Cinco de Mayo Pachanga will feature a one-night-only collaboration menu from chef Adrian Torres and guest Joseph Boudreaux of Boo's Burgers, live painting by Houston artists Donkeeboy and Donkeemom, a market with local vendors, tequila tastings, and music by DJ Mexican Blackbird.


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    Molina’s Cantina
    Premium margs are just $8 at Molina’s all weekend. On Monday, mariachis will serenade guests at every outpost from 6-8 pm, while happy hour is on all day, including Molina’s margaritas for $9.50 and Mexican beers for $4.50.

    The Original Ninfa’s
    At Ninfa’s Uptown, the Tex-Mex favorite is partnering with Don Julio tequila for a twist on the Uptown Mezcal cocktail or the Ninfarita, Uptown, or Navigation margaritas. Don’t miss the Aguasol Tequila Jello shots for $3. Enjoy mariachi music Saturday from 5–6 pm, with a photo booth and giveaways from 5–7 pm.

    At Ninfa’s on Navigation, celebrate with Patron-based cocktails and the same festive Jello shots. Sunday’s mariachi is from 2–3 pm, with a photo booth and giveaways from 2–4 pm.

    Picos
    Get your groove on at this restaurant in Upper Kirby with a live DJ mixing up music on Sunday from 12-3 pm outside, and a mariachi band performing inside from 12-4 pm. Feast on the Cinco de Mayo brunch buffet from 10 am-4 pm. On Monday, order $10 house margs from 11 am-3 pm, while an all-you-can-eat pastor cart will be available for $21 a person.

    State Fare Kitchen and Bar
    On Cinco de Mayo, all three locations (Memorial, Sugar Land, and The Woodlands) will serve up festive specials, including $5 State Fare margaritas (frozen or on the rocks) and oversized eats like the Big Tex Taco with a 12-inch puffy flour tortilla. Bring friends and dig into the Big Cinco Platter ($45), which includes the Big Tex Taco, quesabirria, guacamole, salsa, and tortilla chips.

    Toca Madera
    This stylish steakhouse is known for its lively vibes, and Cinco is no exception. The restaurant will be alive with music all weekend, with a DJ, guitarists, and baile folklorico performances. You won’t want to miss the fire dancers. On Cinco de Mayo, happy hour is extended from 2-6 pm, with a live mariachi band. Reservations are recommended.

    Verde Garden
    The Harlow District is pulling out all the stops with three days of Cinco de Mayo festivities. On Saturday, May 3, enjoy a lively lineup featuring a mariachi band at 2 pm, Folklorico dancers at 7 pm, and a DJ set starting at 10 pm. A paloma bar and photo booth add to the fun. On Sunday, May 4, customers can sip from a michelada bar and unwind at the unique cumbia and coffee bar. Then on Monday, May 5, enjoy food and drink specials all day long.

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