Foodie News

A new late night restaurant for The Galleria area: Owner unafraid of past failures in location

Until now, Cajun restaurant BB's Cafe has only opened locations inside the Loop, but that's all set to change in April, when owner Brooks Bassler will open his fourth location in the Briargrove area west of the Galleria.

The new location follows the pattern Bassler established in 2007 when he took over German restaurant Alfredo's and began serving the dishes he ate at his grandmother's table in Morgan City, Louisiana. "I find struggling restaurants in valuable locations and make them work," Bassler tells CultureMap.

In this case, BB's is taking over the space on Westheimer that housed both a Ninfa's and El Taco Tote. Bassler says he consulted with former Ninfa's co-owner Roland Lorenzo about the location before making the move and received enthusiastic feedback about its prospects. Furthermore, Bassler says that the kitchen "contained all new equipment," which limited the amount of capital required to renovate the space.

"I find struggling restaurants in valuable locations and make them work."

Finally, the area is already known for late night dining (which is a BB's specialty) thanks to the presence of both Chacho's and House of Pies.

Bassler credits BB's success to the restaurant's food. The Heights location is a top destination for crawfish, serving up to 1,500 pounds per day at the season's peak. The restaurant's po' boys are inspired by Bassler's favorite spots in New Orleans, but one dish on the menu is closest to Bassler's heart.

It takes 24 hours to make grillades and grits the traditional way, but the results speak for themselves. "It's a process," Bassler admits, that involves "slow cooking (beef tenderloin) in Cajun roux gravy," but customers keep ordering the dish.

Of course, Bassler is already thinking about what's next. He has his eyes on Katy and Spring as possibilities, but he's really intrigued by the development currently taking place in the Second Ward. Calling it "underdeveloped and underserved," he's seen the success of both The Original Ninfa's on Navigation and El Tiempo as an indication BB's could find success there, too.

That's all in the future. For now, the extended Galleria area can prepare itself for a new late night destination.

Who wants a po' boy?

BB's Cafe Brooks Bassler stands inside the restaurant's fourth location, which will open in April.

Photo courtesy of BB's Cafe

BB's Cafe Brooks Bassler stands inside the restaurant's fourth location, which will open in April.

unspecified

cheers to that

Texas bourbon named one of 2024's top 10 whiskies

Still Austin Whiskey Co. Red Corn Bourbon Whiskey

Still Austin Whiskey Co./Facebook

Now if only we could snag a bottle...as a Christmas gift, of course.

Three cheers for Still Austin Whiskey Co.! The distillery's Bottled in Bond Red Corn Bourbon Whiskey was recognized as one of Whisky Advocate'sTop 20 Most Exciting Whiskies of 2024.

Every year, Whisky Advocate's expert panelists rank hundreds of whiskies based on their quality, availability, value for the price, and "X-factor," meaning an excitement-inducing component like a unique flavor or an innovative idea. An international panel also reviews contenders through several blind taste tests without knowing each whisky's producer, origin, age, or price.

The magazine ranked Still Austin's five-year Red Corn Bourbon No. 7 on the list with a prestigious score of 94 points. The Red Corn whiskey, which was released in June 2024, has mash bill consisting of 36 percent Jimmy Red corn, 34 percent white corn, 25 percent rye, and 5 percent barley.

According to panelist Shane English, tasting notes start big and bold with cracked pepper, dusty leather, and cocktail cherries, before moving on to a palate of chile pepper, caramel, and buttery cornbread.

"Each sip is electric — the pepper gives this whiskey a zing balanced by poundcake and glazed doughnuts," English said. "Charred oak fades to chocolate, coffee, and pecan pie on the finish."

Still Austin had the only Texas product on the list, which was fitting given the brand's recent boasting that it could match any Kentucky Bourbon. As a game day stunt when the Texas Longhorns played the Kentucky Wildcats in November, Still Austin refilled empty Kentucky Bourbon bottles with its own Cask Strength Bourbon for just $1.

When the brand isn't playfully antagonizing Kentucky fans, its Red Corn Bourbon sells for a retail price of $85 per 750-milliliter bottle, falling nearly in the middle of the price category out of all 20 bourbons on the list, with eight others priced for less.

For additional context, none of the top five bourbons fall under a $100 price tag. In fact, the most expensive bottle on the 2024 list is the Angel's Envy 2023 Cask Strength Port Wine Barrel Finished Bourbon, which ranked No. 12 and retails for $230 per bottle.

"Our top 20 whiskies represent a curated collection that deserves your attention. Each whisky on the list stands out for its superb taste, representing the pinnacle of a year filled with remarkable tastings," said executive editor David Fleming in a release. "This list features whiskies offering exceptional value, leaders in their respective styles, and superbly made expressions that are well worth seeking out."

Whiskey Advocate's 2024 Whiskey of the Year is Laphroaig Elements 2.0 Cask Strength Scotch Single Malt, which earned 95 points and retails for $165 a bottle.

whiskey bourbon distilleries awards lists