Procrastinator's Guide to Super Bowl Dining

Procrastinator's Guide to Super Bowl Dining: Where to eat when the big name restaurants are booked

Whether or not someone cares about Sunday’s matchup between the Patriots and the Falcons, no one can deny the Super Bowl is having a profound effect on Houston’s restaurants. Beyond the parties and the concerts, a wide variety of new spots have opened that visitors and locals alike are eager to check out.

The only problem is that many of Houston’s highest profile restaurants — both new arrivals and old favorites — are totally booked. Want to sample Chris Shepherd’s cuisine at either One Fifth or Underbelly this weekend? Too bad. As of Wednesday afternoon, One Fifth’s website shows no tables available at a reasonable time to eat (who has dinner at 11 pm?), and Underbelly is closed for private events on both Friday and Saturday.

Those kind of sell outs and buy-outs are the norm across the city. Cafe Annie is closed Friday night. State of Grace is booked up Friday and closed for a private event on Saturday night. Steak 48 or B&B Butchers? Unless someone wants to take a chance on walking in and finding a seat at the bar, they aren’t happening either.

Thankfully, Houston’s restaurant offerings are like the Patriots’ roster: those who go beyond the famous names will find a surprising amount of depth. Digging just a little deeper than the places that are getting all the love in various media guides reveals lot of great places to eat.

For those who are visiting from out of town or for perplexed locals that want to show guests what the city has to offer, consider the following suggestions of places that are similar to the big names and will still deliver an excellent experience. All of the following showed availability on Open Table for dinner on both Friday and Saturday as of Wednesday afternoon, but remember that fortune favors the bold. Make reservations soon.

Can’t get into Underbelly? Try Southern Goods or Harold’s in the Heights instead.
Both restaurants feature chefs in Lyle Bento (Southern Goods) and Antoine Ware (Harold’s) who worked for Chris Shepherd, which means they serve similar Southern-style food that’s informed by Houston’s immigrant communities and made with high-quality, locally sourced ingredients. Sous chef and pitmaster Patrick Feges gives Southern Goods’ menu a little barbecue flavor, while Ware’s Louisiana roots means Harold’s has a Creole flair.

Those who want a little predictability may opt for Harold’s, since it takes reservations. Southern Goods doesn’t, but this weekend’s mild temperatures should make the restaurant’s expansive outdoor patio a pleasant place to dine.

Can’t get into Uchi? Try KUU instead.
Uchi, the Austin-based restaurant that blends Japanese ingredients with French technique, has earned acclaim for its creative cuisine and flawless service. At KUU, chef Adison Lee utilizes the training he acquired at Nobu to prepare similarly innovative fare. One bite of his uni-crusted king crab or the namesake KUU roll will make anyone a believer.

Best of all, KUU’s location in Gateway Memorial City is adjacent to the Falcons’ hotel. No promises that you’ll be dining next to Matt Ryan or Julio Jones, but it’s certainly a possibility.

Can’t get into Hugo’s, Caracol, or Xochi? Try Picos instead.
Chef Hugo Ortega has brought the authentic flavors of Mexico to Houston, and his new restaurant Xochi will be must-try, as soon as the Super Bowl crowds check out of the Marriott Marquis. Instead of fighting the crowds downtown, why not go to Picos? Chef-owner Arnaldo Richards has been serving Mexican cuisine to Houstonians for over 30 years.

Signature dishes like chilorio and chiles en nogada deliver big flavors, and the quality of the signature “perfect” margarita is legendary. Best of all, the $29 Sunday brunch buffet allows diners to sample many of the menu’s best dishes, which makes it a perfect start to anyone’s pregame routine.

Can’t get into a downtown steakhouse? Try Saltillo Mexican Kitchen instead.
Most of the steakhouses in downtown or near the Galleria are fully booked this weekend, but a quick trip to Bellaire offers the opportunity to dine at a restaurant that serves expertly grilled meats and well prepared Mexican fare. Saltillo serves the usual cuts, but the best plan is to go with a group and order the four pound ribeye cap (tapa de lomo), which will happily feed four to six people, especially when paired with a couple orders of the restaurant’s signature enchiladas.

Can’t get into Riel? Try Nobie’s instead.
Visitors who are appropriately food-obsessed will want to try the city’s hottest new restaurant; although chef Ryan Lachaine’s genre-bending Montrose restaurant Riel certainly qualifies, it’s mostly booked. Therefore, go to Nobie’s. Chef-owner Martin Stayer’s culinary resume is similarly prestigious, and Nobie’s menu offers a wide range of well-executed, New American fare — yes, even pierogis.

Dishes like fried artichokes, chicken liver mousse, and grilled octopus will have people bragging about the hidden gem they discovered, and isn’t gloating about a good meal half the fun of trying something new?

Can’t get into State of Grace? Try Relish Restaurant & Bar instead.
Since opening in 2015, Ford Fry’s ode to his Texas childhood has emerged as both one of the city’s top dining destinations and a clubhouse for a certain segment of the River Oaks set that wants something newer than Brasserie 19 but less self-consciously trendy than places in River Oaks District. But, as noted above, the clubhouse is closed on Saturday night, which gives neighborhood residents (and those from points beyond) the opportunity to try what may become their new favorite hangout.

This expansion of take-out spot Relish Fine Foods features a stylish interior — perfect for see-and-be-seen types — and a menu of classic American fare. Dishes like beet salad, fried chicken, and lamb chops may sound familiar, but chef Dustin Teague nails the details to ensure diners leave satisfied.

Can’t get into Brasserie du Parc? Try L’Olivier Restaurant and Bar instead.
Chef Philippe Verpiand (Etoile) has launched his take on a classic brasserie in a beautiful space that looks out onto Discovery Green; unfortunately, its location in One Park Place puts the restaurant inside the security perimeter for this weekend’s events, which makes parking almost impossible. The crepe window beckons, but leave it for next weekend.

Instead, head to Montrose where former Tony's chef Olivier Ciesielski has been mixing classic French cuisine with a few Gulf Coast twists for the last five years. Choose one of the handmade pastas to start, then move on to whichever entree looks most interesting. With one of the city’s most extensive selections of champagne, finding a wine pairing won’t be difficult.

Sips margaritas on picos' patio.

Courtesy photo

Sips margaritas on picos' patio.

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designed for all occasions

New restaurant's Astrodome-inspired design is 'unlike anything in Houston'

Photo by Leonid Furmansky

Kirkwood's design includes a recreation of the Astrodome's ceiling.

Legendary Houstonian Mac Haik has managed to fit many lives into his impressive 80 years. Haik, whose empire of car dealerships made him a household name, played no small part in the development of the city’s booming west side. Prior to that, at just 22-years-old, Haik made history with the Houston Oilers as the first person to catch a touchdown pass in the Astrodome.

His latest venture — the glitzy Kirkwood restaurant — pays homage to the Energy Corridor, a storied football career, and the people who helped him along the way.

While the Mac Haik Restaurant Group has focused on franchises such as breakfast concept First Watch, Kirkwood is its debut signature restaurant concept. The restaurant’s kitchen is led by executive chef Stephen Chiang, who guests will see quite a lot of thanks to the copper-clad, open-concept kitchen that includes a custom copper hood.

Located at the base of Energy Tower II at 11720 Katy Freeway, MHRG designed Kirkwood to host a range of experiences. When it opens on Monday, May 11, Kirkwood is intended to become a go-to spot for lunch meetings, a chic spot for group dinners and celebrations, and a cozy place to share a romantic evening near the double-sided, all-seasons fireplace, among other occasions.

It takes a keen eye and majorly-sharp editing skills to create a space that can perform so many different tasks. It’s unusual for a space that highlights a career in sports to read as elegant and refined, but designer Gin Braverman has done just that. Gin Design Group is the firm behind many of the best hospitality designs in Houston — including Eunice, Haii Keii, and ChòpnBlọk — and Kirkwood is no exception.

“We were going for a classic clubhouse vibe with a Vegas layer of glitz — definitely a Vegas ‘wow factor,’” Braverman tells CultureMap. “It’s going to be a draw for everyone. You can rent out the sunroom as well as the private dining room, so that will be a big draw. There is a bar cart going around and table side features. There are so many different experiences to be had in the space. It’s going to hit all the boxes.”

The 242-seat restaurant covers almost 7,000 square feet separated into distinctive spaces: a 154-seat main dining area; 16-seat private Frances Room, named after Haik’s mother; and a 1,900-square-foot sunroom, named the Sunny Room after Haik’s wife, with seating for 72 centered around a curved, double-sided fireplace.

The restaurant’s symbol, a magnolia, is a nod to Haik’s home state of Mississippi. One impressive magnolia sighting belongs to the patinated-copper front doors inlaid with the flowers and accentuated by leather door pulls. Prior to entering, diners pass through a gallery of wall display cases with Mac Haik memorabilia.

In the rotunda, customers are greeted from above by a mirrored glass replica of the ceiling of the Houston Astrodome, created by the artisans at Houston-based design and fabrication firm Rootlab. Broken stone mosaic floor tiles add playful movement and patter to the space. Tactile installations like felt wallcoverings by Phillip Jeffries and velvet draperies keep the space feeling warm and inviting amid all the glass and stone.

The lounge occupies a raised platform with an artisan parquet floor and a burled-wood covered ceiling featuring beautifully-placed copper light fixtures by Tom Dixon, custom sofas, a custom rug, and custom tables.

An inviting, oversized wraparound bar beckons diners to mingle beneath a tiered canopy, composed of burled walnut, which is also carried through to the bar’s facade, bullnose trim, and integrated foot rail. A marble countertop completes the bar, while the stone is repeated in the custom tables. Custom barstools take inspiration from the seats of Mac’s now vintage Porsche.

Illuminated cove lighting anchors the bar space, with a red-tinted mirror installed behind the bar shelving and the liquor lockers on the end caps. The shelving is highlighted by custom LED racetrack lighting. Custom copper and alabaster bar lamps complete the space.

Kirkwood’s booths have been upholstered with alternating leather and teal velvet fabrics with a copper-tinted toe-kick for a bit of glam. Custom arched lighting — crossing above each booth — is comprised of a copper finish structure, alabaster lenses, and copper chain accents.

The central dining and exposition kitchen space is a framed with burled wood-clad banquettes with integrated planters. Broken stone mosaic floor tiles dance beneath the custom large-scale chandelier that features inverted alabaster and copper arches and a wood surround with integrated cove lighting.

The private dining room features rich leather wall panelings, a custom leather buffet table, and a metallic gold plaster ceiling with hand-painted magnolia detailing.

Lastly, the 1,400-square-foot sunroom features a knockout fireplace with an integrated overhead planter. Custom light columns with copper metal mesh flank the fireplace. An impressive glass-and-metal bar canopy attaches to the back bar fireplace.

The restaurant’s art collection further enriches the space, with original works by English artist Paul Dove displayed throughout. In the private dining room, an original painting by Austin-based artist Lucy MacQueen offers a more personal note, interpreting “The Grove” at Haik’s alma mater, Ole Miss. The piece also serves as a quiet tribute to his mother, Frances Jordan, who was recently honored with a memorial wall at the iconic site. Artist Melissa Leandro contributed a vibrantly embroidered interpretation of the magnolia motifs to the back wall of the sunroom.

Overall, Braverman is thrilled with the design of Kirkwood. So, which spot is her favorite?

“The sunroom,” she says. “That circular bar with the column lamps and fireplace with the skylight are unlike anything else in Houston.”

Photo by Leonid Furmansky

Kirkwood's design includes a recreation of the Astrodome's ceiling.

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