Waffles all night

New Midtown restaurant serves up savory waffles and sweet cocktails

Waffles: they're not just for breakfast anymore. At least, that's what one veteran chef is betting on at his new Midtown restaurant.

Don Bowie, a veteran of restaurants such as Sweetie Pie's and Flower Child, is opening Taste Bar + Kitchen on Friday, March 29. Located in the former home of Sterling House, the new restaurant serves a comfort food menu oriented around chicken and waffles and mac and cheese. Options include sweet — Fruity Pebbles, chocolate chip, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, etc. — as well as savory items, such as General Tso's chicken and waffles, jerk chicken and waffles, and a cheeseburger waffle that has ground beef, cheddar, and gouda cooked into the waffle batter.

“We are excited to be offering a new spin on comfort food, specifically chicken and waffles," Bowie said in a statement. "Taste Bar + Kitchen is the neighborhood restaurant and bar for anyone and everyone inside and outside of the city.”

As the name implies, cocktails play a significant role in the concept. The bar offers a range of craft cocktails, including a selection of sweeter items intended to be dessert. Of course, it wouldn't be brunch without mimosas, and they're fully accounted for with a number of options.

"Our brand has a sexy, yet comfortable attitude," co-owner Kevin Kelley added. "One in which persons of any demographic and profession can feel comfortable walking in and having a craft cocktail or meal."

Inside, the space has been updated with blue velvet chairs and new lighting, including a mandatory-in-2019 neon sign. The two-story property also features an expansive patio, just in time for spring's mild temperatures.

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Taste Bar + Kitchen, 3015 Bagby St.; Monday through Thursday 5 pm to midnight, Friday 5 pm to 2 am, Saturday 11am to 2 am, Sunday 11 am to 12 am

Taste Bar + Kitchen will offer a range of sweet and savory waffles.

Courtesy of Taste Bar + Kitchen

Taste Bar + Kitchen will offer a range of sweet and savory waffles.

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Ready, set, Relish

River Oaks restaurant opens in Memorial with expanded menu and bold design

Photo by Julie Soefer

Relish's fan favorite lobster roll arrives in Memorial next week.

The wait is nearly over for Memorial residents who are looking forward to visiting the new location of Relish Restaurant & Bar. Its second location in Town & Country Village will open this Monday, December 2.

Located at 12850 Memorial Dr., the new Relish constitutes an enhanced version of the River Oaks location that owners Addie and Dustin Teague opened in 2016. At over 4,800-square-feet, it’s noticeably larger than its sibling, with seating for almost 200 diners. The extra room means the new location has both a dedicated bar/lounge area as well as a seven-seat oyster bar. A 10-seat chef’s table provides a view into the open kitchen.

Design details include antique mirrors and artwork sourced from markets in Round Top, pink terrazzo tiles, and exposed brick.

“We’re incredibly grateful for the team we’ve built and everybody that came together to make this happen,” executive chef and co-owner Dustin Teague said in a statement. “We are blown away by how it all turned out and are so excited to have the community experience our cuisine and hospitality in an absolutely stunning environment.”

Chef Teague worked with chef de cuisine Jack Humphrey on the restaurant’s menu. Of course, Relish favorites such as its fried chicken, lobster roll, and burger are present and accounted for. The chefs have added new items such as roast chicken with harissa and apricot-tomato couscous, vegetable lasagna with pasta that’s made in-house, and tuna tartare with tomato relish. Desserts include bourbon caramel carrot cake and soft serve ice cream that’s made in house. Beverage options include wine and cocktails.

“We’re going to continue rocking the same thing we’ve done at River Oaks with slight tweaks here and there,” Teague added. “At the end of the day, we’ve built this restaurant for the surrounding community and our mission is to always serve you and your family meals you can Relish.”

Initially, Relish will be open for dinner daily at 4:30 pm. Plans for lunch and brunch will be announced in January.

Photo by Julie Soefer

Relish's fan favorite lobster roll arrives in Memorial next week.

news-you-can-eat openings relish restaurant & bar