CultureMap Video

A new neighborhood restaurant shakes things up on Washington Ave: Here's your first look

In these hectic times, restaurants need to be flexible. As both Revival Market and Tout Suite demonstrate, Houstonians like restaurants that also offer a variety of grab and go options.

Serve high-quality coffee and feature local purveyors like Houston Dairymaids, Cloud 10 Creamery and Kraftsmen Baking? Even better.

Levi Rollins understands. In his role as culinary director at Urban Eats, the recently opened bar, restaurant and market on Washington Avenue, Rollins gives diners two options: A first-floor market full of high quality offerings that are either prepared in house or sourced from local vendors or an upstairs bar and restaurant that offers a variety of shareable appetizers, salads, French fries and sliders.

Urban Eats may not be a destination restaurant, but it does offer a crowd-pleasing variety that should make it a neighborhood favorite.

Upstairs, the menu is built around sliders. In addition to a traditional bacon cheeseburger, diners have a variety of options that include the Sunday dinner (pork pot roast topped with gravy, cheese, onions and green beans), the Southern chicks (fried chicken, lettuce, tomato, pickles) and a fried green tomato BLT.

An order of two sliders comes with fries and a salad. Prices run between $11 and $15, which makes them either a slightly spendy lunch or an inexpensive dinner. Those looking to supplement the sliders can add an appetizer like mac and cheese that's topped with bacon, pancetta and ham or vegetables like fried Brussels sprouts and an eggplant Napoleon. Salads and fries with various toppings round out the food offerings. A well-stocked bar serves a variety of cocktails, wine and craft beer.

Urban Eats may not be a destination restaurant, but it does offer a crowd-pleasing variety that should make it a neighborhood favorite. Washington Avenue may have seen a wave of closings in 2014, but newcomers like Urban Eats, Big Eyed Fish and the upcoming Commonwealth have it poised for a revival.

riel returns

Shuttered Houston restaurant revived for 1 night only at Canada Day pop-up

Riel truffle caviar pierogi

Photo by Kirsten Gilliam

The pop-up will serve Riel's caviar and truffle pierogi.

One of the saddest restaurant closures of 2025 will get a one-night-only revival. Favorite dishes from Riel will return at Chardon on Sunday, June 28 for an event being called “Booze Can Sunday.”

While a French fine dining restaurant might seem like an unlikely host for a Riel revival, Chardon executive chef E.J. Miller once served as Riel’s opening sous chef. Miller invited his former boss, Riel chef-owner Ryan Lachaine, to join him for a pop-up that honors Canada Day.

Together, the duo will serve some of Riel’s most popular dishes, including:

Truffle and Caviar Pierogies
Steak Au Poivre Poutine with Cheese Curds
Deli Dog
Montreal Smoked Meat Sliders
Torche Kolaches
Mushroom Empanadas
Gator Karaage
Maple Whiskey Soft Serve with Foie Caram

The day will also feature drink specials such as Canadian Jell-O Shots, Molson X, Canadian Club, Old Grand-Dad, and more. Robin Wong, a co-owner of Blood Bros. BBQ and a successful DJ, will spin throughout the event.

Riel truffle caviar pierogi

Photo by Kirsten Gilliam

The pop-up will serve Riel's caviar and truffle pierogi.

"Riel was a special place for a lot of people, and Booze Can Sunday was always one of the most anticipated events of the week," said Miller. "Ryan and I wanted to bring back that energy for one day, celebrate the restaurant that meant so much to us, and give guests a chance to revisit some of the dishes and memories they loved."

Riel Restaurant Ryan Lachaine E.J. Miller A vintage picture of chefs EJ Miller and Ryan Lachaine. Photo by Eric Sandler

Riel opened in January 2017 and closed in August 2025. In between, it earned wide acclaim for the way Lachaine blended his Canadian upbringing and Ukrainian heritage with the modern Gulf Coast cuisine he learned while working at restaurants such as Reef and Underbelly.

Currently, Lachaine works as the executive chef at River Oaks restaurant State of Grace. He added two Riel signatures to State of Grace’s menu — the caviar tater tots and signature butter burgers.

Chardon, which earned a Best New Restaurant nomination in the 2026 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards for its blend of classic French fare with Texas ingredients, opened in February 2025. In addition to Riel, Miller’s resume includes SaltAir Seafood Kitchen, International Smoke, and Muse.

Booze Can Sunday takes place from 3-9 pm. Attendees are encouraged to register on Eventbrite.

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