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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Delicious Destinations

Houston dubbed top-10 best foodie city in America by Food & Wine

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Anvil Bar & Refuge Facebook

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Houston has gobbled up three awards in national magazine Food & Wine's 2026 Global Tastemaker Awards, including the title as the No. 6 best foodie city in the U.S.

Food & Wine annually surveys its network of judges, which includes more than 400 chefs, travel experts, wine connoisseurs, and more to determine nominees for "the best food-forward destinations" in the world. Winners are then evaluated and ranked by the magazine's Global Advisory Board.

The Global Tastemaker Awards praised Houston's overall food scene among the 10 best in the nation, and local restaurants get to reap the benefits. Acclaimed eateries like Feges BBQ, Theodore Rex, and Tatemó were named must-try spots for locals and tourists to visit.

"[Houston] boasts the most ethnically diverse population of any large city in the country," the report said. "That multiculturalism seasons the city’s dining scene, offering exceptional Tex-Mex/Mexican, Indian, Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Southern/Cajun cuisines alongside classic Texas barbecue."

Anvil, another Houston staple from local restaurateur Bobby Heugel, was crowned the No. 2 best bar in the U.S. Food & Wine dubs Heugel "the architect" of Houston's bar scene, citing Anvil's multiple James Beard Award nominations.

"The high-energy space offers a list of 100-plus classics plus seasonal options, some sure to join the long list eventually," the report said. "Reflecting the zeitgeist, Anvil credits the bartenders who created the drinks, and recently brought back happy hour, starting at 2 pm, at a moment when many patrons are particularly price-sensitive."

Even George Bush Intercontinental Airport won an award as the No. 6 best U.S. airport for food and drink. The Houston airport is widely known for having many local restaurants for visitors to get a taste of the local food scene. Weary travelers can get their burger fix at Hubcap Grill, try Simone Biles' newly opened restaurant Taste of Gold, sip on a margarita at El Tiempo, and much more.

Simone Biles Taste of Gold IAH Find Taste of Gold near gate A8. Courtesy of Houston Airports

Food & Wine also gave a sneak peek at what's to come as IAH continues renovations.

"When Terminal B fully reopens this fall, it will include two additional Michelin Bib Gourmand picks, Blood Bros. BBQ and Rosie Cannonball, alongside B&B Butchers and Pink’s Pizza," the report said. "And the new Terminal D-West Concourse scored Velvet Taco, a Dallas‑born brand with a devoted Houston following."

Other Texas cities, restaurants, and airports that earned awards from Food & Wine include:

Austin – No. 1 Best Coffee City in U.S.; No. 4 Best Pastry City in U.S.; and No. 7 Best U.S. City for Food and Drink
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, Austin – No. 2 Best U.S. Airport for Food and Drink
Canje, Austin – No. 3 Best Restaurant in the U.S.
Hotel Emma, San Antonio – No. 8 Best Hotel in the U.S.

awards restaurants bars food and wine houston iah george bush intercontinental airport