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    Midtown's New Barbecue

    Midtown's getting a new barbecue restaurant with a pitmaster legend and Twin Peaks level eye candy

    Eric Sandler
    Jan 28, 2015 | 12:35 pm

    Houston's status as an emerging power in the barbecue world looks poised to take another step forward as a legendary Houston pitmaster returns to the smoker. The Landmark Houston Hospitality Group, the owners of Mr. Peeples, two locations of Hearsay Gastro Lounge and 51fifteen in the Galleria, are opening a new restaurant called The Republic Smokehouse and Saloon in the former Blackfinn space in Midtown.

    Set to open in four to six weeks, general manager Angel Rios tells CultureMap that The Republic is "Twin Peaks meets Pappas Barbecue meets Wild West." The Twin Peaks aspect coming from an all female service staff in plaid shirts and denim shorts. The Wild West influence will be seen on a newly constructed stage that will host bands every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

    While those are both important elements of the concept, Republic's focus is squarely on its food. "The backbone of that restaurant is going to be that smoker. We’re going to have great barbecue and great dishes that have that smokiness," Rios vows.

    GM Angel Rios tells CultureMap that The Republic is "Twin Peaks meets Pappas Barbecue meets Wild West."

    Overseeing the smoker will be the responsibility of pitmaster Cedric Williams, who served the same role at the highly regarded Williams Smokehouse until a fire destroyed it in 2007. For more than 20 years, Williams Smokehouse was a Houston barbecue gem. The Acres Homes restaurant even earned a spot in Texas Monthly's Top 50 barbecue ranks in 2003.

    Although Williams has been out of the restaurant business since the fire, he has continued to make barbecue, which is why Landmark reached out to him through "a friend of a friend" for The Republic.

    "He's bringing his rubs and his sauce. He'll be in charge of all the smoking," Rios tells CultureMap. Two brand new, gas-assisted Southern Pride rotisserie smokers have been installed in The Republic's kitchen. "Cedric likes to use post oak. He says it's the best wood for smokng," Rios adds.

    Republic's goal is to serve barbecue for both lunch and dinner every day. "I like to sell meat. I want to make my money. I’m not content with, ‘Hey, we sold this. We’re done,' " Rios says with a laugh.

    Kitchen Power

    Joining Williams in the kitchen will be Matt Knotts, who is currently a sous chef at Hearsay on the Green. "Matt’s done a lot of different styles of food: sushi, American cuisine, French. But his family is from the South and his uncle used to own a barbecue place."

    Knotts will be responsible for developing barbecue-inspired menu items with a "foodie twist" like smoked ravioli, osso bucco and a range of sandwiches. The Republic will bake its own breads from scratch and feature a daily pie special using seasonal fruits. On the beverage side, draft beer options will consist of 20 taps that blend craft and traditional beers, and a cocktail menu will be built around classics with a "saloon twist."

    Overall the concept is designed to appeal to the young professionals who are driving Midtown's booming nightlife scene.

    Inside, the Blackfinn space has been totally gutted. In addition to adding a stage, the bathrooms have been moved to open up the dining room. A new patio bar means diners won't have to go inside for another drink. Sports fans will appreciate 30 TVs to watch games.

    Overall the concept is designed to appeal to the young professionals who are driving Midtown's booming nightlife scene. After two years in both the kitchen and management at Mr. Peeples, Rios says he's learned a few things about Midtown diners.

    "These guys are out there working in oil and gas. They wear suits all week. When they go out, they don’t want to be suited up," Rios says. "They want to be comfortable. They want to go somewhere local with great food and great beer, but also be affordable to go more than once a week."

    Rios says he has a simple goal for how The Republic will fit into its neighborhood.

    "(It) is going to be like Cheers, a great local bar where everybody knows your name."

    20 taps will feature a mix of craft and traditional beers.

    The Republic Midtown
      
    Photo by Eric Sandler
    20 taps will feature a mix of craft and traditional beers.
    unspecified
    news/restaurants-bars

    Where to Eat Brunch Now

    10 Houston restaurants spicing up brunch with fresh new flavors

    Brianna Griff
    May 16, 2025 | 10:14 am
    Smoked Salmon Latke Kirsten Gilliam Okto Brunch
    Photo by Kirsten Gilliam
    Okto's newly launched brunch features fresh dishes like this smoked salmon latke.

    Houston’s weekend routine just got a jolt of new flavors. From a Peruvian-Vietnamese mash-up to a Mediterranean feast in Montrose and a seafood-driven spread in Autry Park, a wave of both new and established Houston restaurants are rolling out fresh takes on everyone's favorite weekend indulgence. Whether it’s four riffs on eggs Benedict or savoring a foie-gras macaron while being serenaded by a violin, these 10 new options are delivering bold brunches with global influences and tipsy tinctures.

    Alora Restaurant and Bar
    Located in the former Kau Ba space in Montrose, this restaurant touts itself as Houston's only Peruvian-Vietnamese restaurant. For brunch, chefs and married couple Diego Ponce and Makala Ponce have created a menu that fuses the two cuisines — think Lima Hot Chicken and Pandan French Toast ($19) with aji limo pepper balanced by the sweetness of pandan. The Bò Né ($28) is a Vietnamese twist on steak and eggs alongside Comté cheese, pate, and tomatoes, while the salmon on crispy toast ($22) is crowned with guacamole, pickled vegetables, and a passion fruit vinaigrette. Beverages include the Alora Bloody Mary ($15) with pickled quail eggs and green mango. Alora serves brunch 11 am-3 pm on weekends.

    Smoked Salmon Latke Kirsten Gilliam Okto Brunch
      

    Photo by Kirsten Gilliam

    Okto's newly launched brunch features fresh dishes like this smoked salmon latke.

    Chardon
    The Thompson Hotel's fine dining restaurant launched in February, transporting both guests and diners to France with its fare. Chardon has become a destination in its own right, and the addition of weekend brunch makes it even more appealing. Classics like Quiche Lorraine ($18) and Croque Monsieur ($32) sit on the menu alongside creations of delicate Lox et Crêpe with dill crème fraîche ($26) and the Avocado and Haricot Vert Tartine topped with a jammy soft-boiled egg ($17). The Bisous Tower ($23/person) proffers a selection of savory pastries and small bites like foie gras macarons and Texas cornbread madeleines. A violinist sets a soft soundtrack while patrons dine. Brunch is 11 am–3 pm on weekends.

    il Bracco
    The Galleria-area Italian spot just upgraded its weekend offerings with several new bites. Housemade pastries include zeppole with orange marmalade ($10), blueberry focaccia ($9), and an artichoke and arugula scone ($12). The weekend-only bucatini carbonara is now joined by shakshuka alla verde, the restaurant's riffs on eggs in purgatory ($19); frittata with with asparagus, goat cheese, tomatoes, and arugula ($17); and a mortadela sandwich on focaccia ($16). Pair them with a mimosa, espresso martini, or a breakfast martini with a little orange marmalade. Brunch is served Saturday and Sunday from 11 am-3 pm.

    Maximo
    The West U. restaurant's weekend brunch offers a range of masa-based dishes. Consider egg Benedict that swaps the traditional English muffin for masa cornbread or cinnamon-sugar coated masa waffles that are topped with cheesecake whipped cream, Japanese peanuts, and agave syrup. Huevos ahogados, drowned in green tomatillo salsa, are served with a side of corn tortillas to soak up every bite of the mushrooms, greens, and Oaxacan cheese. Pair them with cocktails such as the Java-Horchata Flip (sake, coffee liqueur, horchata, whole egg, peanut chili crisp) and the Sangria Tango (tomatillo, cucumber, coriander, green chili, with the guest’s choice of agave or Mexican gin). Brunch is served on Saturday and Sunday from 11 am-3 pm.

    Melrose
    Created by CultureMap Tastemaker Awards Chef of the Year Emmanuel Chavez, the Montrose lounge serves clever riffs on enduring brunch favorites. Options include charred tomatillo chilaquiles with poached eggs, an acai bowl served in a half coconut, hanger steak with eggs and chimichurri, and a breakfast sandwich made with scrambled eggs, cheese, and brown sugar-roasted “billionaire’s bacon” on a brioche bun. The Melrose Tower channels New York's iconic Sadelle's restaurant with its house-cured lox, mini bagels, chive cream cheese, and accoutrements. Drink options include a spritz, Bloody Mary, and a michelada verde made with tomatillo juice. Brunch is served on Sunday from 11 am-3 pm.

    MF Lobster and Seafood
    The weekend spread at this Autry Park destination aims to elevate Houston’s brunch offerings. Think Benedicts made with silky hollandaise cascading over lobster, braised bacon, pork belly, or classic Canadian bacon (yes, that’s four varieties of the dish). The indulgence continues with wagyu steak and eggs, buttery Maine lobster popovers, and bagels and lox featuring Ora King salmon and roe. For the sweet tooth, choose a brioche pain perdu with caramelized apples and whipped maple mascarpone, or end the meal with a dark chocolate pot de crème. MF Lobster and Seafood serves brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 11 am-2:30 pm.

    Okto
    Sof Hospitality’s Mediterranean restaurant kicks off Sunday with a late-morning feast of fresh flavors such as pan con tomate salad with grilled sourdough and bruleed burrata ($20) and the rich notes of the beet-cured lox atop a potato apple latke ($22). Other highlights include an omelet with blue crab and mascarpone ($24) and a crepe Suzette ($16) accentuated with Grand Marnier, candied orange, and whipped ricotta. Okto’s spot at the trendy Montrose Collective boasts a spacious patio and ample underground parking (or valet). Brunch is served Sunday from 11 am-4 pm at Okto.

    Relish Restaurant and Bar
    The second outpost of this River Oaks staple opened in Memorial’s Town and Country Village at the end of 2024, but only added brunch to its repertoire at the end of April. Flaky herb biscuits ($9), buttermilk pancakes topped with brandied pecans ($15), and a salmon citrus salad with champagne vinaigrette ($24) are just a few of the dishes available. The Italian baked eggs ($18) in a pomodoro sauce with Italian sausage and grilled sourdough is a highlight of the menu. Diners can take advantage of all-day happy hour deals on select cocktails, beer, and wine, with a full espresso bar for those abstaining or still recovering from the previous night’s festivities. Relish serves brunch from 10 am-3 pm on weekends.

    Santé Lounge
    The Upper Kirby lounge’s patio is sure to be a destination for the posh set this summer. Santé's Sunday Funday Brunch features an elevated twist on classics like Dubai chocolate croissants, the grilled-to-order Santé burger with brioche, and a platter laden with five chilled seafood preparations. Patrons can listen as a live DJ spins tunes while relaxing on the patio with its cabanas, chandeliers, and greenery. Order the deviled egg trio (Nashville hot chicken, Tobiko caviar, and ramen egg) and sangria (with white or red wine) for the table. Brunch at Santé is from 12 pm-4 pm on Sunday, with a required dress code.

    Traveler’s Cart
    The Street Market Brunch is an international affair with cinnamon-dusted Morning Churros ($8), Chinese breakfast dumplings ($12) paired with a sambal-oyster-soy sauce, and charming fish-shaped Japanese taiyaki waffles ($9) with yuzu custard filling. Or dig into Turkish cilibir eggs ($15) seasoned with Aleppo pepper, smoked paprika, and za’atar oil. The global tour continues at the bar with "around-the-world" mimosas, a build-your-own Bloody Mary cart, and Don’t Stop the Carnival ($13), a punchy Brazilian coffee cocktail of rum, sweetened condensed milk, and toasted coconut. Traveler’s Cart serves brunch from 10 am-3 pm on Saturday and Sunday.

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