fm in the montrose

Bar-forward Houston restaurant taps open date for buzzy new Montrose location

The new location opens next week.

Courtesy of FM Kitchen & Bar

Montrose's wait for its very own location of FM Kitchen & Bar comes to an end next week. The popular comfort food restaurant will open its outpost at 907 Westheimer Rd. on Wednesday, June 23.

Like its sibling on Shepherd Drive, the new FM Kitchen & Bar will feature a menu of comfort food built around burgers, sandwiches, salads, and wings paired with an extensive selection of draft beer and cocktails. However, it will distinguish itself with a broader cocktail program and an all-new late night menu.

“We look to the Montrose neighborhood as an opportunity to evolve the FM brand and build on the momentum we’ve gathered over the past 18 months as a more bar-forward concept," managing partner Jason Mok said in a statement. "We are excited about how the more elevated design not only fits this location, but also inspires what we do as a brand."

Part of that evolution will be later operating hours. The Montrose location will be open until midnight on Thursday and 2 am on Friday and Saturday and feature performances by live DJs.

Similarly, FM Kitchen utilized local design firm Gin Design Group to give the space — formerly East Hampton Sandwich Co. and the Magical Unicorn Dessert Bar — elements that are approachable at lunch and dinner and more "moody" later in the evening. With four TVs over the bar and a 96-inch projector screen for special events, FM Kitchen aims to be an ideal game day destination.

Chef de Cuisine Valentin Garcia has added lighter options such as grilled salmon tacos and a crispy Brussels sprouts salad to FM Kitchen's familiar fare. The late night menu features dishes such as birria tacos and chicken toastadas, along with signature items like the FM burger and a spicy chicken sandwich. Brunch will be served on Saturday and Sunday.

“Valentin is an incredible asset to the FM family, and has already made a huge difference to our team’s culture in his short time with us. His talent, work ethic and commitment to making improvements every day is exactly what we needed during this period of growth for FM,” Mok said.

General manager and beverage director Rochelle Touga's offerings start with a 26-tap wall that will feature 24 beers and two draft cocktails. In addition, a highball machine will dispense a properly mixed Jim Beam and soda.

"We've built a really solid craft cocktail program already, but we are raising the bar with the Montrose location," Touga said. "We'll have some new and more elevated Montrose-only cocktails, plus the addition of the highball machine."

Chef Ryan Hildebrand and business partner Chong Yi opened the first FM Kitchen & Bar in 2017. Hildebrand departed in 2019 and will open Hildee’s Dine-Inn in Wimberly later this year.

news-you-can-eat openings

water, water everywhere

The quest for a Topo Chico replacement — we rate 9 sparkling waters

Photo by Eric Sandler

We purchased sparkling water at five stores across the inner loop.

Topo Chico drinkers nationwide are in a bit of a tizzy. Coca-Cola, which acquired the cult-favorite sparkling mineral water in 2017, announced that the product will be unavailable for at least the next few months.

CNN reports the shortage is due to “facility upgrades at the water source and production facilities in Mexico.”

“We are now making further investments at the source to improve source stability and quality and enable increased production, requiring us to temporarily stop production,” Coca-Cola said in a letter to CNN.

For Topo Chico fans, the shortage brings an obvious question. What should a person drink until the supply is restored? Or, what’s a permanent replacement that will avoid this issue altogether?

After collecting suggestions from people via Instagram, I went to Spec’s and inner loop grocery stores to purchase nine varieties of sparkling water with one goal in mind — find something that’s similar enough to Topo Chico that it will earn a spot in my refrigerator.

In the interests of science, I only included sparkling water brands that are similar in size (approximately 12-ounce bottles) and price (between $1 and $1.50 per bottle). Whenever possible, I purchased glass bottles instead of cans or plastic. Although many are available in flavors, I only purchased unflavored waters. All waters were chilled overnight in a refrigerator prior to tasting.

Sparkling water taste test Each water was chilled overnight prior to tasting.Photo by Eric Sandler

Not surprisingly, my top three choices came down to two other Mexican sparkling waters and a convincing dupe from H-E-B.

Most Similar to Topo Chico

Agua de Piedra
Purchased from Spec’s (can also be found at La Michocana), this water from Nuevo Leon, Mexico can be found at several restaurants and coffee shops around town. It offers both strong carbonation and just enough saltiness to satisfy a Topo craving. As long as I can source it reliably, this will be my new house water.

Mineragua
Available at both Whole Foods Market and H-E-B, this water from Jarritos is almost as carbonated as Topo Chico. Its flavor profile is salty with a slight, citrus-style acidity. I prefer the flavor of Agua de Piedra, but others may like this more.

1877 Mineral Water by H-E-B
H-E-B’s house brand sparkling mineral water is sourced from Texas, in Mineral Wells. It has carbonation that persists from opening until finishing. Its slightly salty flavor will be welcomed by Topo Chico drinkers. Overall, it’s probably the best choice for more people, since it’s so readily available.

Less Like Topo, but Still Tasty

Rambler Sparkling Water
This mineral water from Austin is available everywhere, including many restaurants and bars. Since it's only available in cans, its more mild carbonation doesn’t match Topo Chico’s; however, it has a lightly salty taste that makes it very refreshing. This is a good option for those who find Topo to be too fizzy.

Tehuacan
Purchased at Central Market, this water is sourced from springs within Citlaltépetl, Mexico’s highest mountain. The mountain’s volcanic rock gives the water a noticeable saltiness with a slightly sour taste. Although it wasn’t quite to my taste, its strong carbonation and distinct flavor could appeal to other Topo devotees.

Private Selection Sparkling Mineral Water
Available at Kroger, this water is neither as carbonated nor as salty as Topo Chico. Still, it has enough fizz and minerality to do in a pinch, particularly for people who prefer shopping at Kroger over other grocery stores.

Your Mileage May Vary

Richard’s Sparkling Rainwater
Admittedly, a non-mineral water was unlikely to emerge as a favorite in this taste test. Since it’s made with filtered rainwater, Richard’s has a very clean taste and a mild level of carbonation.

Saratoga Carbonated Spring Water
Like Richard’s, this water is too lightly carbonated and too mildly flavored to satisfy a Topo craving. Still, it’s clean and refreshing, which could appeal to non-Topo drinkers.

I’ve Had Better

Liquid Death Mountain Water (Sparkling)
Bland and flat-tasting, this water was the only one I wouldn’t purchase again. Maybe the flavored versions are better.

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