Bluestone lane debuts

Australian-inspired, NYC-based coffee shop sets opening date for first Houston location

Flat whites and avocado toast are coming to The Heights.

Courtesy of Bluestone Lane

The countdown is on for the debut of Bluestone Lane's first Houston location. The Australian-inspired, New York City-based coffee shop and cafe will open its doors on Wednesday, March 30.

First announced last year, Bluestone Lane takes its inspiration from coffee shops and cafes in founder and CEO Nicholas Stone’s hometown of Melbourne, Australia. Among other innovations, it takes credit for being one of the first coffee shops in America to introduce two Australian staples: smashed avocado toast and the flat white. It also roasts coffee and offers an array of lifestyle products.

The cafe aims to build an audience of "locals" who make Bluestone Lane a part of their daily routine. Its target demographic is adults, aged 25-32, who are health conscious and appreciate quality coffee, according to a release.

Located at 115 W. 19th St., Bluestone Lane replaces a Becks Prime location that closed last year. The expansive, 4,400-square-foot space features an outdoor patio.

Bluestone Lane's extensive food menu includes breakfast items served all day plus lunch offerings of bowls, salads, and wraps. Beverage options include a full range of hot and cold coffee drinks along with juices, smoothies, and teas.

"We are extremely excited to bring Bluestone Lane to Houston! Locals will love our signature, premium coffee along with our entire cafe menu of deliciously healthy all-day fare, served in a relaxed setting unlike anywhere else,” Stone said in a statement. “We are expanding into Houston and other metropolitan areas to serve the droves of people moving into these lively, diverse communities. We look forward to greeting our new locals in Houston Heights!”

As Stone indicates, Bluestone Lane plans to open additional locations in Houston. Currently, the company has more than 55 locations in cities such as Boston, New York, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, and San Francisco.

news-you-can-eat coffee the-heights openings

run wild

Familiar farmers market face goes wild with new dinner series at mystery Montrose venue

Courtesy of Jane Wild

Dine with chef Jane Wild this Saturday.

Houstonians will once again be able to enjoy Jane Wild’s food in air conditioned comfort. Best known for her time at Tomball’s Jane and John Dough bakery and The Dunlavy on Allen Parkway, the chef is launching a new dinner series to showcase her perspective on farm to table fare.

Titled Jane’s Dine Inn, the bi-monthly dinner series will supplement the sweet and savory baked goods Wild sells at farmers markets across the Houston. The intimate, five-course meals will be served to only 22 diners per night. Unlike outdoor markets, serving diners in a more traditional, restaurant-style setting allows Wild to serve a wider variety of dishes that meant to be eaten hot.

“Jane’s Dine Inn is a space for me to share another side of my story with food,” Wild said in a statement. “Where art has a narrative that celebrates the seasons. A place where I can honor localism in all its forms. To nurture the regeneration of connections, with each other and the land around us.”

It begins this Saturday, October 7 with a meal titled “Texas Autumn.” Wild’s menu includes pumpkin and tomato soup, apples and celery salad, roasted pork with peaches, and a persimmon shortcake.

Meals will take place at a local venue in Montrose that will only be revealed to ticket holders. They begin with pre-dinner snacks. From there, diners take their seats at communal tables ($190 per person or a complete group of six for $1,000) or at a kitchen table with a better view of the action ($225 per person). Each meal will mix both individually plated and family-style dishes. Add wine or non-alcoholic pairings for $60 per person.

Wild plans to hold similar dinners on October 21, November 4 and 18, and December 2 and 16. A monthly brunch pop-up will be announced in the future.

chefs news-you-can-eat