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    Inside Tilman's Hotel

    Inside 4 luxe restaurants at billionaire Tilman Fertitta's brand-new Houston hotel

    Eric Sandler
    Apr 24, 2018 | 2:45 pm

    The Post Oak, Houston’s newest luxury hotel, is an impressive facility. It’s clear that its owner, Landry’s, Inc CEO Tilman Fertitta, has spared no expense in bringing the project to fruition.

    Look up in the lobby. That crystal chandelier cost $1,000,000. Look at the paintings on the walls by artist Frank Stella. They’re worth $1,000,000, too.

    In an interview, Fertitta’s son Patrick described The Post Oak as a “generational” asset, one the family wants to hold onto for a long time — just like the Houston Rockets, another recent Fertitta acquisition that’s already catapulted the Billion Dollar Buyer to another level of celebrity.

    Whether or not the chef team overseeing the hotel’s four restaurants literally cost $1 million, they do bring years of experience at some of America’s finest hotels to their new endeavor. Executive chef Jean Luc Royere’s resume includes 10 years of experience at Forbes Five-Star properties, including the Mandarin Oriental in Miami, the Ritz Carlton Naples Beach Resort, and The Lodge at Sea Island on Saint Simons Island. He’s also been designated a Master Chef of France, just as locals like Philippe Schmit and Philippe Verpiand (Etoile) have.

    Royere hired eight senior positions from his extensive Rolodex of former colleagues; he joked about driving cross country and putting them in his trunk for the trip to Houston. Overall, the chef and his team spent 10 months developing the menus for Craft F&B, Bouchée Patisserie, Bloom & Bee, and H Bar.

    The goal is to create concepts that both satisfy hotel guests and are compelling enough to lure Houstonians to visit the property, although it's worth noting that guests can order room service from any of the four hotel restaurants as well as both Willie G's and Mastro's. During a tour led by Royere and Landry’s corporate executive chef Kathy Ruiz, CultureMap got a look at all four concepts.

    Located next to the hotel’s pool, Bloom & Bee is The Post Oak’s signature restaurant. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the space features a stylish design with floral-inspired decor, including circular glass panels on the ceiling, and an eclectic menu designed to suit a variety of tastes. Signature items include the smoked beef tartare, which arrives under glass with smoke for a theatrical effect, Skuna Bay salmon with crispy skin, and a classic bouillabaisse with an aromatic broth and lots of shellfish.

    At breakfast and lunch, Royere tells CultureMap that diners have embraced the avocado and tomato tartine: an elevated take on avocado toast with a poached egg and Cotija cheese. All of those dishes can be paired with wine or cocktails, but the signature sangria seems like a solid place to start.

    Across the lobby, H Bar offers hotel guests and visitors an intimate spot for sipping cocktails. The bar is decorated with black and white photos from both Houston’s history and more intimate shots of the Fertitta family. According to Royere, it’s already become a popular spot for guests and whatever lingering revelers wander over from the Mastro’s Steakhouse that’s also on the property.

    An extensive selection of American and international whisk(e)y leads the spirit list. Although it’s definitely more of a drinking destination, those seeking sustenance may order sushi — try the bonito-topped Dragonfly roll — or light bites like short rib sliders, mini lobster rolls, and prawn cocktail.

    Those seeking a more casual environment may opt for Craft F&B. The space has an industrial look and lots of TVs for watching games. As the name implies, the restaurant features 24 taps of craft beer, but the theme goes beyond brews. The restaurant also makes its sauces, pizza crusts, and hamburger buns from scratch.

    Chef Royere let certain Texan staples inspire the menu. So, yes, Craft F&B serves a riff on Frito pie made with wagyu hot dogs and bison chili and the South of the Burger that’s topped with guacamole, pepper jack, and pico de gallo.

    As for the pizzas, the restaurant serves both a traditional hand-tossed and a thinner, Neapolitan-inspired pie. Choose from set toppings or go with the build-your-own option — named “whatever the hell you want” after a phrase Feritta uses about the importance of customer service. Diners can choose from 14 meats (everything from pepperoni and proscuitto to fried chicken tenders and barbecue brisket), five sauces (tomato, ranch dressing, barbecue, etc), nine vegetables, six cheeses, and three “others,” including a cracked egg.

    Both Craft F&B and Bloom & Bee offer desserts, but those with a sweet tooth might want to save room for a trip to Bouchée Patisserie. The brightly decorated sweet shop is something of a playground for pastry chef Oralia Perez, who comes to Houston after stops in Las Vegas, the Mandarin Oriental in Miami, and the Ritz Carlton Naples Beach Resort, which is where she worked with Royere.

    The offerings include grab-and-go sandwiches, different croissant options (almond, chocolate), fruit tarts, chocolates, gelato, macarons, and more. Best of all, it’s open daily starting at 6:30 am.

    Overall, each of the concepts offers something compelling that makes them worth visiting. Besides, how often does a person have the opportunity to stand underneath a million-dollar chandelier?

    Inside Bouchee.

    The Post Oak Bouchee interior
      
    Courtesy of Fertitta Entertainment
    Inside Bouchee.
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    Where to Eat Brunch Now

    10 Houston restaurants spicing up brunch with fresh new flavors

    Brianna Griff
    May 16, 2025 | 10:14 am
    Smoked Salmon Latke Kirsten Gilliam Okto Brunch
    Photo by Kirsten Gilliam
    Okto's newly launched brunch features fresh dishes like this smoked salmon latke.

    Houston’s weekend routine just got a jolt of new flavors. From a Peruvian-Vietnamese mash-up to a Mediterranean feast in Montrose and a seafood-driven spread in Autry Park, a wave of both new and established Houston restaurants are rolling out fresh takes on everyone's favorite weekend indulgence. Whether it’s four riffs on eggs Benedict or savoring a foie-gras macaron while being serenaded by a violin, these 10 new options are delivering bold brunches with global influences and tipsy tinctures.

    Alora Restaurant and Bar
    Located in the former Kau Ba space in Montrose, this restaurant touts itself as Houston's only Peruvian-Vietnamese restaurant. For brunch, chefs and married couple Diego Ponce and Makala Ponce have created a menu that fuses the two cuisines — think Lima Hot Chicken and Pandan French Toast ($19) with aji limo pepper balanced by the sweetness of pandan. The Bò Né ($28) is a Vietnamese twist on steak and eggs alongside Comté cheese, pate, and tomatoes, while the salmon on crispy toast ($22) is crowned with guacamole, pickled vegetables, and a passion fruit vinaigrette. Beverages include the Alora Bloody Mary ($15) with pickled quail eggs and green mango. Alora serves brunch 11 am-3 pm on weekends.

    Smoked Salmon Latke Kirsten Gilliam Okto Brunch
      

    Photo by Kirsten Gilliam

    Okto's newly launched brunch features fresh dishes like this smoked salmon latke.

    Chardon
    The Thompson Hotel's fine dining restaurant launched in February, transporting both guests and diners to France with its fare. Chardon has become a destination in its own right, and the addition of weekend brunch makes it even more appealing. Classics like Quiche Lorraine ($18) and Croque Monsieur ($32) sit on the menu alongside creations of delicate Lox et Crêpe with dill crème fraîche ($26) and the Avocado and Haricot Vert Tartine topped with a jammy soft-boiled egg ($17). The Bisous Tower ($23/person) proffers a selection of savory pastries and small bites like foie gras macarons and Texas cornbread madeleines. A violinist sets a soft soundtrack while patrons dine. Brunch is 11 am–3 pm on weekends.

    il Bracco
    The Galleria-area Italian spot just upgraded its weekend offerings with several new bites. Housemade pastries include zeppole with orange marmalade ($10), blueberry focaccia ($9), and an artichoke and arugula scone ($12). The weekend-only bucatini carbonara is now joined by shakshuka alla verde, the restaurant's riffs on eggs in purgatory ($19); frittata with with asparagus, goat cheese, tomatoes, and arugula ($17); and a mortadela sandwich on focaccia ($16). Pair them with a mimosa, espresso martini, or a breakfast martini with a little orange marmalade. Brunch is served Saturday and Sunday from 11 am-3 pm.

    Maximo
    The West U. restaurant's weekend brunch offers a range of masa-based dishes. Consider egg Benedict that swaps the traditional English muffin for masa cornbread or cinnamon-sugar coated masa waffles that are topped with cheesecake whipped cream, Japanese peanuts, and agave syrup. Huevos ahogados, drowned in green tomatillo salsa, are served with a side of corn tortillas to soak up every bite of the mushrooms, greens, and Oaxacan cheese. Pair them with cocktails such as the Java-Horchata Flip (sake, coffee liqueur, horchata, whole egg, peanut chili crisp) and the Sangria Tango (tomatillo, cucumber, coriander, green chili, with the guest’s choice of agave or Mexican gin). Brunch is served on Saturday and Sunday from 11 am-3 pm.

    Melrose
    Created by CultureMap Tastemaker Awards Chef of the Year Emmanuel Chavez, the Montrose lounge serves clever riffs on enduring brunch favorites. Options include charred tomatillo chilaquiles with poached eggs, an acai bowl served in a half coconut, hanger steak with eggs and chimichurri, and a breakfast sandwich made with scrambled eggs, cheese, and brown sugar-roasted “billionaire’s bacon” on a brioche bun. The Melrose Tower channels New York's iconic Sadelle's restaurant with its house-cured lox, mini bagels, chive cream cheese, and accoutrements. Drink options include a spritz, Bloody Mary, and a michelada verde made with tomatillo juice. Brunch is served on Sunday from 11 am-3 pm.

    MF Lobster and Seafood
    The weekend spread at this Autry Park destination aims to elevate Houston’s brunch offerings. Think Benedicts made with silky hollandaise cascading over lobster, braised bacon, pork belly, or classic Canadian bacon (yes, that’s four varieties of the dish). The indulgence continues with wagyu steak and eggs, buttery Maine lobster popovers, and bagels and lox featuring Ora King salmon and roe. For the sweet tooth, choose a brioche pain perdu with caramelized apples and whipped maple mascarpone, or end the meal with a dark chocolate pot de crème. MF Lobster and Seafood serves brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 11 am-2:30 pm.

    Okto
    Sof Hospitality’s Mediterranean restaurant kicks off Sunday with a late-morning feast of fresh flavors such as pan con tomate salad with grilled sourdough and bruleed burrata ($20) and the rich notes of the beet-cured lox atop a potato apple latke ($22). Other highlights include an omelet with blue crab and mascarpone ($24) and a crepe Suzette ($16) accentuated with Grand Marnier, candied orange, and whipped ricotta. Okto’s spot at the trendy Montrose Collective boasts a spacious patio and ample underground parking (or valet). Brunch is served Sunday from 11 am-4 pm at Okto.

    Relish Restaurant and Bar
    The second outpost of this River Oaks staple opened in Memorial’s Town and Country Village at the end of 2024, but only added brunch to its repertoire at the end of April. Flaky herb biscuits ($9), buttermilk pancakes topped with brandied pecans ($15), and a salmon citrus salad with champagne vinaigrette ($24) are just a few of the dishes available. The Italian baked eggs ($18) in a pomodoro sauce with Italian sausage and grilled sourdough is a highlight of the menu. Diners can take advantage of all-day happy hour deals on select cocktails, beer, and wine, with a full espresso bar for those abstaining or still recovering from the previous night’s festivities. Relish serves brunch from 10 am-3 pm on weekends.

    Santé Lounge
    The Upper Kirby lounge’s patio is sure to be a destination for the posh set this summer. Santé's Sunday Funday Brunch features an elevated twist on classics like Dubai chocolate croissants, the grilled-to-order Santé burger with brioche, and a platter laden with five chilled seafood preparations. Patrons can listen as a live DJ spins tunes while relaxing on the patio with its cabanas, chandeliers, and greenery. Order the deviled egg trio (Nashville hot chicken, Tobiko caviar, and ramen egg) and sangria (with white or red wine) for the table. Brunch at Santé is from 12 pm-4 pm on Sunday, with a required dress code.

    Traveler’s Cart
    The Street Market Brunch is an international affair with cinnamon-dusted Morning Churros ($8), Chinese breakfast dumplings ($12) paired with a sambal-oyster-soy sauce, and charming fish-shaped Japanese taiyaki waffles ($9) with yuzu custard filling. Or dig into Turkish cilibir eggs ($15) seasoned with Aleppo pepper, smoked paprika, and za’atar oil. The global tour continues at the bar with "around-the-world" mimosas, a build-your-own Bloody Mary cart, and Don’t Stop the Carnival ($13), a punchy Brazilian coffee cocktail of rum, sweetened condensed milk, and toasted coconut. Traveler’s Cart serves brunch from 10 am-3 pm on Saturday and Sunday.

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