Fired up in regent square

Chris Shepherd fires up new restaurant in Montrose mixed-use development

The restaurant will occupy the restaurant space seen in the rear of the image with a rooftop terrace.

Image courtesy of GID

James Beard Award-winning chef Chris Shepherd will open a new restaurant on Allen Parkway. The chef's Underbelly Hospitality has leased a 5,000-square-foot space — complete with a rooftop terrace — in the Regent Square mixed-use development.

Slated to open in late 2021, the still unnamed restaurant will be centered around live fire cooking. Shepherd has spent the past year experimenting with the flavors created by different woods when used in grills and smokers, according to a release. The restaurant will serve cuisine inspired by different parts of the world and prepared with woods such as oak, hickory, and mesquite.

“We’re still working through a lot of the details, but the idea of live fire cooking using multiple types of wood really excites me," Shepherd said in a statement. "Regent Square is an ideal location for this restaurant and for Underbelly Hospitality — convenient to Montrose, downtown, River Oaks — and it’s great to be a part of a project with so many like-minded people.”

The leasing announcement is the first major tenant for Regent Square's phase two project, which is being developed by GID Development Group. Located at the intersection of Dunlavy St. and Allen Pkwy, the 8-acre project will ultimately be home to 600 residential units and 50,000 square feet of retail, including three, free-standing restaurants that will overlook green spaces and a pedestrian walkway.

Today's announcement represents that fourth new restaurant Underbelly Hospitality plans to open in 2021. The restaurant group has already announced plans to open two new restaurants in the renovated Houston Farmers Market: a fast casual restaurant and Wild Oats, a restaurant from chef Nick Fine that will explore the "history and traditions of Texas cuisine.” In addition, the company will open Georgia James Tavern, a more casual offshoot of Shepherd's signature steakhouse, in downtown's Market Square Tower luxury high-rise.

Live fire cooking looks poised to become Houston's next big dining trend. In addition to Chris Shepherd, restaurateur Ben Berg announced last month that he's opening a live fire steakhouse in the Docks at Timbergrove mixed-use complex.

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say boo

Houston smash burger pop-up finds permanent home on East End esplanade

Photo by Drea Karolina

Boo's Burgers wil occupy a kiosk on the Navigation Esplanade.

One of Houston’s favorite burger pop-ups is opening a brick and mortar restaurant. Boo’s Burgers will open a permanent location in early 2025.

Located in the Second Ward at 2510 Navigation Boulevard, Boo’s Burgers will occupy a kiosk on the bustling Navigation Esplanade. A permanent location represents the next step for chef Joseph Boudreaux, who founded Boo’s Burgers in 2021 while he was working as a barista at a downtown coffee shop. Prior to that, he worked at a number of restaurants, including Leeland House and Tiny Champions.

Boo's Burgers Joseph Boudreaux Chef-owner Joseph Boudreaux.Photo by Drea Karolina

Those experiences helped shape the chef’s take on the classic smash burger. It features a 50-50 ratio of chuck and short rib that he grinds himself with a little fat for extra juiciness. It gets topped with a slice of American cheese, lettuce, tomato, caramelized onions, pickles that Boudreaux makes himself, and burger sauce.

“Burgers are something everyone in Houston can relate to,” Boudreaux said in a statement. “We’ve tapped into that shared memory of local mom-and-pop burger stands while weaving in the city’s unique blend of southern charm and urban culture. The East End feels like the perfect place for Boo’s next chapter. It’s a vibrant community that’s rich in history, where we can create a space that’s both familiar and exciting.”

Joseph Bourdeaux smashburger That's a photogenic burger. Photo by Eric Sandler

Having a permanent location will allow Boudreaux to expand his menu with food specials and sides. Diners can also expect a full range of drinks and desserts. The restaurant’s design will take inspiration from streetwear and hip hop, establishing it as a uniquely Houston destination. Prior to the opening, Boudreaux will host Boo’s Burger Run, a bi-weekly pop-up series with chefs from the East End and other parts of Houston.

“We’re not just opening a restaurant,” Boudreaux added. “We’re building a space where food, culture, and community come together. We want Boo’s to be the kind of place where people feel connected to Houston’s past and future.”

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