Houston's Coolest Chef

Houston's Coolest Chef is revealed: National pub touts a food pioneer, rails against wannabe hipsters

Who are the coolest people in the world of food and drink? The Daily Meal, a website usually known for suspect lists and trolling food critics, has some thoughts on the subject, with its annual survey of "The 60 (Plus) Coolest People in Food & Drink 2014."

James Beard Award winning chef Robert Del Grande is the only Houston representative on the list, which also includes celebrity pitmaster Aaron Franklin, vodka mogul Tito Beveridge and Dallas celebrity chef Tim Love as Texas representatives. Nationally, the list has a who's who of media adulation, with big names like David Chang, Andrew Zimmern and First Lady Michelle Obama all getting nods.

So, whatever the merits of the honor, at least Del Grande is in good company.

Thankfully, the list isn't ranked. Trying to rank coolness is definitely not cool.

The site admits that defining cool is tricky, but writes that "cool people are true to themselves, and don't serve the masters of fad or fashion. Hipsters aren't cool. Cool is the opposite of trendy, the antithesis of 'hot.' If you think you're cool, you probably aren't."

Thankfully, the list isn't ranked. Trying to rank coolness is definitely not cool.

Del Grande, who also appeared on the list last year, earned a spot for being "wry, soft-spoken and amiable" as well as the way he "galvanized the Houston dining scene with his Cafe Annie." The chef also plays in a band, the Barbwires, that's shared a stage with a few big names.

Knowing went to put down the knife and pick up a guitar? That's totally cool.

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Melrose place

Clarkwood owner dishes on opening Houston's buzzy new cocktail lounge

Clarkwood owner dishes on Houston's buzzy new cocktail lounge

Montrose’s next destination-worthy cocktail bar and lounge is already drawing crowds. The word is out about Melrose, which quietly opened at the end of December in the former La Grange space.

As CultureMap reported last summer, Melrose unites Clarkwood co-owner Army Sadeghi with Brandon Duliakas and Dan Wierck, the duo behind Washington Avenue hotspots such as Clutch and Concrete Cowboy. Together, the trio transformed the former Mexican-inspired patio bar into a sleek, modern space inside and a lush, landscaped outdoor courtyard.

“What drew me to the location is the gorgeous outdoor space with a mezzanine bar and an outdoor bar. There’s nothing else in town that can deliver both an indoor and outdoor experience,” Sadeghi tells CultureMap.

Located above the courtyard, the mezzanine has an intimate, 12-seat bar that will offer spirits lockers available for rental by the bar’s most engaged fans. An outdoor bar will eventually serve the courtyard, helping to provide patrons with a distinct experience from the indoor lounge.

The partners recruited Tatemó chef-owner Emmanuel Chavez to develop a menu of elevated bar fare. The results include dishes such as Kampachi Tiradito and Spicy Tuna Rice Crisp that might be expected from Chavez, who earned one of Houston’s five Michelin stars for his intimate tasting menu restaurant. It also includes more playful comfort food such as a pigs in a blanket made with smoked beef sausage, buttermilk-brined chicken tenders, and a burger made with beef from Texas ranch 44 Farms. A brunch menu built around shareable items will follow in the coming weeks.

“Working with Emmanuel was fantastic,” Sadeghi says. “He’s very passionate about the project. It’s been such a great ride, with all of us dialing it in to what we can deliver.”

Along with opening Melrose, Sadeghi is also launching a hospitality company called Sadeghi Concepts. The goal is to apply Clarkwood’s sleek aesthetic to a range of other projects in Houston and beyond.

“The mission would be to craft unforgettable experiences, engaging with exceptional design, culinary artistry, and genuine hospitality. It’s to create a collection of spaces that redefine luxury,” Sadeghi says about his plans. Later, he adds, “I want to continue to curate a combination of of locations with all different concepts that I feel passionate about.”

Melrose is open daily from 4 pm until 2 am. Happy hour, available Monday-Friday from 4-6:30 pm, features $10 cocktails, $5 beers, half-off bottles of wine, half-off charcuterie boards, and $15 burgers.

Photo by Michael Anthony

Aloe and rose gin and tonic.