Hidden Restaurants Revealed

Hidden Food Gems: Houston's top chefs reveal their favorite under-the-radar restaurants and bars

Houston diners are always looking for tips on where to eat. Beyond the usual publications, some people turn to the city's chefs for inspiration.

At least, that's what national food website First We Feast did when it asked 14 Houston chefs to provide their favorite under-the-radar bars and restaurants.

The participants are a who's who of the city's culinary community: Everyone from The Pass & Provisions chefs Seth Siegel-Gardner and Terrence Gallivan to Underbelly chef Chris Shepherd and Caracol's Hugo Ortega. Their recommendations are based around casual spots that serve consistently tasty food.

Not surprisingly, well-executed Asian food of all varieties ranks highly.

Gallivan, Siegel-Gardner, Eleven XI's Kevin Bryant and Reef chef Bryan Caswell all cite bars as their go-tos. Pick includes iconic dive bar Alice's Tall Texas, the West Alabama Ice House, craft beer spot D&T Drive Inn and Montrose institution Catbird's.

Not surprisingly, well-executed Asian food of all varieties ranks highly. Whether it's Korean restaurant Bon Ga, Thai staple Asia Market or three different Vietnamese restaurants, Houston chefs find it hard to resist a well-priced bowl of noodles. Oxheart's Justin Yu cites EaDo fixture Long Sing supermarket's $6 lunch plates or roast pork and duck as his favorite. Hong Kong Food Street is Asiatown's representative.

Those seeking Persian food can follow Michael Cordua's suggestion of Garcon. Rounding out the options are Mexican picks from Ortega, Monica Pope and Ronnie Killen.

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Melrose place

Clarkwood owner dishes on opening Houston's buzzy new cocktail lounge

Clarkwood owner dishes on Houston's buzzy new cocktail lounge

Montrose’s next destination-worthy cocktail bar and lounge is already drawing crowds. The word is out about Melrose, which quietly opened at the end of December in the former La Grange space.

As CultureMap reported last summer, Melrose unites Clarkwood co-owner Army Sadeghi with Brandon Duliakas and Dan Wierck, the duo behind Washington Avenue hotspots such as Clutch and Concrete Cowboy. Together, the trio transformed the former Mexican-inspired patio bar into a sleek, modern space inside and a lush, landscaped outdoor courtyard.

“What drew me to the location is the gorgeous outdoor space with a mezzanine bar and an outdoor bar. There’s nothing else in town that can deliver both an indoor and outdoor experience,” Sadeghi tells CultureMap.

Located above the courtyard, the mezzanine has an intimate, 12-seat bar that will offer spirits lockers available for rental by the bar’s most engaged fans. An outdoor bar will eventually serve the courtyard, helping to provide patrons with a distinct experience from the indoor lounge.

The partners recruited Tatemó chef-owner Emmanuel Chavez to develop a menu of elevated bar fare. The results include dishes such as Kampachi Tiradito and Spicy Tuna Rice Crisp that might be expected from Chavez, who earned one of Houston’s five Michelin stars for his intimate tasting menu restaurant. It also includes more playful comfort food such as a pigs in a blanket made with smoked beef sausage, buttermilk-brined chicken tenders, and a burger made with beef from Texas ranch 44 Farms. A brunch menu built around shareable items will follow in the coming weeks.

“Working with Emmanuel was fantastic,” Sadeghi says. “He’s very passionate about the project. It’s been such a great ride, with all of us dialing it in to what we can deliver.”

Along with opening Melrose, Sadeghi is also launching a hospitality company called Sadeghi Concepts. The goal is to apply Clarkwood’s sleek aesthetic to a range of other projects in Houston and beyond.

“The mission would be to craft unforgettable experiences, engaging with exceptional design, culinary artistry, and genuine hospitality. It’s to create a collection of spaces that redefine luxury,” Sadeghi says about his plans. Later, he adds, “I want to continue to curate a combination of of locations with all different concepts that I feel passionate about.”

Melrose is open daily from 4 pm until 2 am. Happy hour, available Monday-Friday from 4-6:30 pm, features $10 cocktails, $5 beers, half-off bottles of wine, half-off charcuterie boards, and $15 burgers.

Photo by Michael Anthony

Aloe and rose gin and tonic.