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    Rising above Midtown

    New nightclub rises above Midtown with a $1 million retractable roof

    Eric Sandler
    Jul 20, 2020 | 3:40 pm

    Restrictions to slow the spread of COVID-19 may have closed bars and nightclubs statewide, but some people are looking towards the future when they can reopen. One project coming to Midtown aims to elevate the city’s nightlife scene.

    Houston may have a few rooftop bars, but none of them are quite like Rise Rooftop — a new nightclub slated to open in either late summer or early fall (assuming bars are allowed to be open). Formerly Proof, the 10,000-square-foot venue will feature a retractable roof. Installed at a cost of $1 million, the structure is 150 feet long and 45 feet wide.

    Partners Sean Stauble, his wife Jersey, and Justin Ellerton chose to install the roof when they studied Houston’s weather and determined that as many as 15 of the 16 days the club would be open in a month could be rained out. Stauble tells CultureMap he believes it is the largest retractable roof in North America that’s not covering a sports arena.

    “The retractable, trust me, it’s going to be one-of-a-kind,” Stauble says.

    The rest of Rise will be just as impressive as the roof. Designer Gino Vian worked with Stauble to give the venue a futuristic atmosphere that fits with the idea of “rise up.”

    That aesthetic starts at the entrance where the bar’s “stairway to heaven” will have Hollywood Walk of Fame-style plaques with the names of deceased musicians — everyone from DJ Screw to David Bowie. Three bars inside will reflect the themes of sex, drugs, and rock and roll. Upstairs will be the VIP area, with private booths that have balconies overlooking the dance floor. Vian says he installed 50,000 pennies as the floor for the restrooms.

    “I’m super stoked about it,” Vian says. “I think it’s going to be a landmark in Houston.”

    Just like the artists memorialized on the stairs, Stauble has been speaking to an eclectic slate of artists about performing on Rise’s stage. Buckcherry, originally scheduled for August, has been moved to next year. En Vouge had been on the slate for a fall date. Sugar Ray and Snoop Dogg are other possibilities once the venue is allowed to operate at a capacity that justifies the expense.

    Stauble wants Rise to be known as much for its service as its design. The nightclub won’t have a dress code, because he wants neighborhood residents to feel comfortable coming by for a drink or two — not just when they’re celebrating occasions with bottle service. The staff will be encourage to respond to questions in a friendly way.

    Reserved tables will be based on a minimum spend so that people can order wine, beer, or drinks without committing to one specific bottle for an evening. Customers will be able to combine a night at Rise with a package from Black Horse Limousine, which is also owned by Ellerton.

    “I want people to come here, have fun, and want to come back. Not leave here and think, oh this drink was so expensive,” Stauble says. “If it was expensive, it was worth it. I didn’t just come to a bar. I had an experience: the staff was nice, the bouncer walked me to the bathroom.”

    That spirit of hospitality stems from the name, too. Yes, Rise literally towers above Midtown, but Stauble has overcome personal challenges to bring this project to fruition. A former partner on the project, one of Stauble’s closest friends, died suddenly. On a broader level, he feels like the whole world wants to rise above the current pandemic and get back to a more social existence. He intends for Rise to provide that experience.

    “You’ve been home,” Stauble says. “Come here and let us take care of you.”

    A rendering shows the first first booths.

    Rise Rooftop rendering
      
    Courtesy of Rise Rooftop
    A rendering shows the first first booths.
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    Where to eat lunch now

    7 new luxe Houston lunch deals that make the midday meal memorable

    Brianna Griff
    Apr 25, 2025 | 4:00 pm
    hamsa lunch houston
    Kristen Gilliam
    At Hamsa, diners can select two salatim to begin their prix fixe lunch.

    A luxury lunch doesn’t always require a splurge — at least not a major one. These Houston restaurants’ prix fixe menus and bento boxes allow diners to sample curated, high-caliber cuisine for a fraction of the cost of a full dinner. Whether someone is entertaining a client, catching up with a colleague, or simply treating yourself to something special midweek, these prix fixe offerings deliver flavor, efficiency, and just the right amount of indulgence.

    Barbacana
    The downtown endeavor by chef-owner Christian Hernandez serves a prix fixe lunch that leans upscale at $50, but also delivers a quick introduction to his mashup of Houston’s diverse cuisine scene. Begin with a jicama or cauliflower salad, followed by a choice of a fried grouper sandwich, a veggie sandwich, or a mushroom donburi with confit egg yolk. Pair it with a creative side of Greek potato pave, crispy sunchokes, or brassica pickle chips. The price includes a glass of wine, beer, or a non-alcoholic beverage. Lunch is served Tuesday through Friday from 11 am-3 pm.

    Doko
    One of the newest establishment on this list, Doko is Duckstache Hospitality’s intimate Japanese concept in the Autry Park mixed-use development. A midday visit invites diners to explore the creations of chefs Patrick Pham and Daniel Lee through three sushi sets. Set A ($19) has a makimono roll of your choice and three pieces of nigiri—akami (lean tuna), masu (trout), and hamachi (yellowtail). Set B ($25) expands the nigiri selection with madai (sea bream) and kanpachi (amberjack), while Set C ($32) adds the popular chicken fat rice with jidori chicken and a fried egg. With just 50 seats, reservations are recommended. Lunch is served daily starting at 11 am.

    Hamsa
    This Rice Village restaurant’s $25 prix fixe lunch menu highlights the bold, colorful flavors of the Eastern Mediterranean. Start with two salatim, such as baba ganoush, shaved tomato and feta, or classic hummus. For the main, choose from entrees like a falafel sandwich with tahini, or a chicken thigh skewer served with a parsley-red onion salad and a side. It’s $10 more to upgrade that chicken thigh to ribeye. End on a sweet note with one of three desserts: basboosa malabi (a cake-pudding hybrid), petite beurre shortbread layers, or dark chocolate halvah. Add a glass of wine for $10. Lunch is served Tuesday through Friday, 11:30 am-2:30 pm.

    Kata Robata
    Chef Hori-san recently updated the lunch offerings at this Houston institution, including changes to the restaurant's popular bento boxes. Featured main options are shrimp tempura ($19), miso-marinated Alaskan black cod ($25), or Texas wagyu ($23). Each box comes with miso soup and a choice of chicken teriyaki or crispy karaage. Round out the meal with optional add-ons such as sashimi ($6), kakuni pork belly ($5), or a snow crab California roll ($4). Lunch is served Monday through Friday from 11:30 am-3 pm.

    Perseid
    Hotel Saint Augustine is already racking up the accolades, with that excitement extending to Perseid, the first all-day concept from Bludorn partners Aaron Bludorn and Cherif Mbodji. The French-inspired menu reflects the hotel’s proximity to the Menil Collection, with a Gulf Coast influence woven through every dish.

    “From the outset, we wanted to create a neighborhood restaurant in a hotel, rather than a hotel restaurant, and that means making it accessible to neighbors and businesspeople in equal measure,” Bludorn tells CultureMap. “You can come for a lunch meeting with a colleague and be finished in an hour, or you can come for a leisurely birthday party and stay all afternoon.”

    The $35 prix fixe menu starts with an appetizer: Caesar salad with boquerones, carrot soup with falafel, or a smoked salmon dip served alongside homemade potato chips. For the entrée, choose from potato gnocchi with asparagus, steelhead trout with Romano beans, or chicken paillard with fingerling potatoes. Desserts are either a trio of sorbets or a chocolate entremet with salted caramel. Lunch is served Monday through Friday, from 11:30 am-2 pm.

    Tavola
    This Uptown spot from the company behind Michelin-starred Le Jardinier offers a $28 executive lunch that’s both polished and efficient. Start with the baby spinach salad with walnuts and shaved pear, the house Caesar, or the soup of the day. For the main course, choose from one of four entrées: spaghetti cacio e pepe, a spicy cavatelli in arrabbiata sauce, crispy chicken parmigiana, or — for a lighter option — the avocado cucumber salad with either salmon or chicken. Cap it off with tiramisu or creamy vanilla gelato for an additional $8. Lunch is served Monday through Friday, from 11:30 am-2 pm

    Tony's
    Fans of Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion will get a chuckle when they order lunch at this fine dining institution in Greenway Plaza. Chef Kate McLean’s Romy and Michele’s Business Woman’s Special ($35) is a playful nod to the cult film with two Tony’s cheeseburgers with double 44 Farms patties, fries, and Diet Cokes. It’s available for dine-in or to go.

    For more variety, try the Greenway Express prix fixe ($35), which includes soup or salad, a main dish (chicken sandwich with French onion dip, short rib cappelletti, or roast hen salad), and a scoop of the day’s gelato. Pair it all with one of Tony’s lunch spritzes, such as the Front Porch Swinger ($15), a mix of Amaro Montenegro, St. George’s NOLA, and lime. Lunch is served from Tuesday through Friday, from 11 am-3 pm.

    hamsa lunch houston
      

    Photo by Kristen Gilliam

    At Hamsa, diners can select two salatim to begin their prix fixe lunch.

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