come for the patio; stay for the food

New Heights patio bar boasts dog-friendly deck, elevated eats, and specialty sips

The Heights will soon welcome a new destination for outdoor drinking and dining. Heights & Co. Patio & Cocktail Bar will open to the public on Thursday, May 5.

Located in the former Taqo Mexican Kitchen space at the corner of Yale Street and 14th Street, the new bar comes from proprietor Brian Doke, who operates Savoir and Patton's, two restaurants that are directly across the street from Heights & Co. Intended as a neighborhood hangout spot, Heights & Co. will be considerably more casual than either of its sister concepts, which are a wine-driven, European-inspired restaurant in Savoir and an intimate, speakeasy-style steakhouse in Patton's.

“Heights & Co. is conceptualized to be a casual gathering spot for Houstonians near and far that provides guests with genuine service, delicious food, and high quality craft cocktails despite the laid-back ambiance,” Doke said in a statement. “My goal is for Heights & Co. to add to the neighborhood’s robust array of food and beverage offerings and for it to serve as a place where Heights residents, Houstonians from other parts of the city, and visitors from out of town can gather together and enjoy well-made food and drinks in a fun, neighborhood bar atmosphere.”

As its name implies, Heights & Co. aims to offer a first-rate outdoor experience. The dog-friendly, 100-seat patio features shade from a pergola, large trees, and umbrellas. Inside, diners will find seven plush booths and a 10-seat bar.

Executive chef Eric Johnson, who serves in the same capacity at both Savoir and Patton's, has created a menu of elevated bar fare that includes queso, spinach and artichoke dip, and corn and sweet potato hush puppies with dill aioli. Larger entrees include a brisket grilled cheese, steak frites, pork schnitzel, and the decadent-looking Bordelaise Burger pictured above. A separate brunch menu will follow in the weeks to come.

Veterans from bars such as Tongue-cut Sparrow and the Pastry War contributed to the cocktail program. Look for sips like the Salted Watermelon (rum, salted watermelon, lime); The Spritz (sparkling rosé, aperol, and Topo Chico); and the Olympians Delight (rum, strawberry, lime, coconut, and rosemary). In addition, the bar plans to serve its take on popular classics such as the Ranchwater, gin and tonic, and the supremely trendy espresso martini.

Heights & Co. will open at 3 pm during the week and noon Friday through Sunday. A schedule for live music performances will be announced soon.

Heights & Co. opens May.

Photo by Alex Montoya

Heights & Co. opens May.

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

where there's smoke

Houston's only Michelin-recognized Tex-Mex restaurant now open in Bellaire

Photo by Duc Hoang

Don't miss the brisket nachos at Candente.

It didn’t take Sambrook Hospitality Group long to turn Mandito’s into Candente. First announced in September, the restaurant’s second location officially opens today, Monday, December 22, at 5101 Bellaire Blvd.

Speaking on a November episode of CultureMap’s “What’s Eric Eating” podcast, Sambrooks Hospitality founder Michael Sambrooks explained that, as a Bellaire resident, he saw an opportunity to open a restaurant close to home.

“It was a combination of, this location became available, and we liked the market. I think Bellaire is underserved. As far as Tex-Mex options, I think it’s limited,” he says. “We always struggle with where’s somewhere we can grab a bite that’s five minutes away as opposed to driving to another part of town. I think Candente is that solution. I think it’s going to be pretty well received.”

In terms of design, the restaurant replicates many of the same elements as the original Montrose location that opened in 2019, such as its copper-topped tables and yellow, orange, and maroon accents. Diners will note a mural by local artist Franky Cardona along one wall. Overall, the restaurant seats 125 in its dining room, 10 at its bar, and 24 on an outdoor patio.

While the location is new, the menu is the same. That means the same wood-fired fajitas, brisket enchiladas, nachos, birria tacos, and other fare that helped it achieve a “Recommended” designation in the Michelin Guide for Texas — the only Tex-Mex restaurant in Houston to make the prestigious guide. Pair them with margaritas (both shaken and frozen), as well as agave-based cocktails such as the paloma and ranch water, beers, and non-alcoholic options.

Sambrooks Hospitality also operates The Pit Room, the barbecue joint with locations in Montrose and Memorial City that earned a Bib Gourmand designation.

“It’s a privilege to open in Bellaire and get to know and serve a new clientele,” Sambrooks said in a statement. “We’re excited to introduce our style of authentic, handcrafted Tex-Mex that has made us a Houston dining staple.”

Candente will be open for lunch and dinner during the week beginning at 11 am. Brunch is served Saturday and Sunday beginning at 10 am.

Don't miss the brisket nachos at Candente.

Photo by Duc Hoang

Don't miss the brisket nachos at Candente.

openings news-you-can-eat tex-mex