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    Houston's James Beard Finalists

    Two familiar Houston chefs are finalists — again — for coveted James Beard Awards

    Eric Sandler
    Mar 15, 2016 | 12:05 pm

    Since the James Beard Foundation announced its semifinalists last month, the city's culinary community has been buzzing about the diversity of Houston's nominees. Will another Houston chef join Underbelly's Chris Shepherd and Robert Del Grande (RDG + Bar Annie) as a winner of the coveted James Beard Award for Best Chef Southwest?

    On Tuesday, the Foundation announced that two men will have that opportunity when the awards are announced May 2, because they have been named finalists for the award.

    Hugo Ortega, chef/owner of Hugo's, Caracol, and Backstreet Cafe, has been named a finalist for the fifth year in a row. Joining him is Oxheart chef/owner Justin Yu, who makes his third consecutive appearance on the list. Neither of Houston's other semifinalists The Pass & Provisions chef/owners Seth-Siegel Gardner and Terrence Gallivan nor Kata Robata executive chef Manabu Horiuchi, made the list of finalists.

    Elsewhere, Texas chefs in the running for Best Chef Southwest are Bryce Gilmore of Barley Swine in Austin and Steve McHugh of Cured in San Antonio. Denver chef Alex Seidel is the fifth finalist in the category. Austin restaurant Launderette is a finalist in the Best New Restaurant category, and Grae Nonas of Austin restaurant Olamaie is a finalist for Best Rising Star Chef. Former Underbelly cook Daniela Soto-Innes is also a Rising Star finalist for her work at Cosme in New York City.

    Both Anvil Bar & Refuge and Helen Greek Food & Wine received semi-finalist nominations for Outstanding Bar Program and Best New Restaurant, respectively, but neither moved on to finalist status. Similarly, The Pass did not earn a finalist nod for Outstanding Service nor did Tracy Vaught for Outstanding Restaurateur.

    Emotionally, many Houstonians will likely be rooting for Ortega due to his classic rags to riches story of rising from busboy to chef, how outstanding both Hugo's and Caracol are, and that he's one of the nicest human beings in Houston's restaurant community. However, Yu would seem to be more likely to win. He has a higher national profile thanks to his status as a Food & Wine Best New Chef, his participation in high-profile culinary events like the 12 Days of Meadowood, and his inclusion on national lists like Eater's 38 most essential restaurants in America.

    Houstonians won't have to wait long to find out the results. The Foundation's Book, Broadcast, and Journalism Awards will take place in New York City on April 26. The chef awards will be handed on May 2 in Chicago.

    Hugo Ortega is a James Beard Finalists for the fifth year in a row.

    Chef Hugo Ortega
      
    Photo courtesy of Four Seasons Hotel Houston
    Hugo Ortega is a James Beard Finalists for the fifth year in a row.
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    a fresh start

    Award-winning Houston cocktail bar diverts to new home in Montrose

    Eric Sandler
    Jun 12, 2025 | 5:00 pm
    Diversion cocktail bar Montrose
    Photo by Manoah Rodriguez
    The Vilanova Ritual is prepared tableside in a teapot.

    An award-winning Houston cocktail bar has found a new home. Diversión will reopen Thursday, June 19 in Montrose’s food-focused Harlow District development.

    Located at 1226 W Clay Street, Diversión Montrose will occupy one of the two houses that comprise Emma Jane, the European-inspired teahouse that opened last year. It replaces the original location of Diversión that opened in early 2021 in Spring Branch. Both Diversión’s original location and Degust, its companion tasting menu restaurant, quietly closed last year.

    Known for its polished service and elaborate cocktails, Esquire magazine named Diversión’s original iteration to its list of the Best New Bar in America for 2022. That ethos has been “refreshed” to be “a more intimate and playful setting,” according to press materials.

    Patrons will find a new cocktail menu that includes drinks such as the Operation: ‘White Flame’ (vodka, dry vermouth, Earl Grey, and caviar); the Sand Dollar Beach, an on-trend mini martini; and the Vilanova Ritual, which is prepared for two people in one of Emma Jane’s signature tea pots. Food options include Korean fried chicken, a Japanese-style mushroom salad (sunomono), and caviar service with crème fraiche dip, soy caramel, and crepes.

    While the original Diversión required a special trip to Spring Branch, the new one could be one stop on an evening in the Harlow District. Located on the property that served as the home to treasured Italian restaurants Nino's, Vincent's, and Grappino di Nino, the development now includes upscale Italian restaurant La Griglia, premier sushi spot Katami, and lively patio bar Verde Garden.

    Diversión will be open Tuesday-Sunday from 5 pm-1 am.


    Diversion cocktail bar Montrose
      

    Photo by Manoah Rodriguez

    The Vilanova Ritual is prepared tableside in a teapot.

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