This is a Tribute

Iconic hotel's new restaurant pays tribute to Houston's culinary heritage

One of Houston's most well-regarded luxury hotels has revealed the details of its revamped bar and restaurant concept. The Houstonian hotel will soon transform the recently-shuttered Olivette into a new concept called Tribute that's slated to open this fall (or, in the p.r.-speak of a press release, the all-caps TRIBUTE, but we aren't ones for shouting).

Rather than an ode to the greatest song in the world, this tribute is to Houston's culinary heritage. Houstonian executive chef Neal Cox's menu will include elements of Texas, Louisiana, and Mexico cooking. Think everything from classics like grilled ribeyes and roasted oysters to braised cabrito, smoked wagyu short ribs, and redfish on the half shell.

“People in Houston know the nuances and what they like about true Texas food, Louisiana creole versus Cajun, Tex-Mex, and ingredients from south of the border,” Cox said in a statement. “It’s about the quality of the ingredients and, more importantly, it’s about taste. At Tribute, we will faithfully create what we love about the kitchens from our neighbors and our own backyard. Our roots are here and the flavors and experiences are established.”

Overseeing the wine program is veteran sommelier Vanessa Treviño Boyd, who earned praise for her work at Philippe and 60 Degrees Mastercrafted. She's spent the last couple of years at Lakeside Country Club, but her new post should keep her busy. Plans call for a wine room with a 3,500 bottle capacity.

The hotel has the local office of design and architectural firm Gensler to create the revamped space. Design elements include rose gold and stone countertops for the new bar area with "onyx finishes and emerald tones" in the restaurant. Other luxury elements include "plush banquettes" and lots of natural light.

Given its status as a premier destination — the hotel's Manor House restaurant once served as the Houston residence of President George H.W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush and still serves Mrs. Bush's chocolate chip cookie recipe — the Houstonian could provide the only taste of Houston for visiting dignitaries. Representing the city well is an obligation it takes seriously.

“The Houstonian has been serving guests from all over the world, in addition to our loyal club members and community for a long time,” said hotel general manager Steve Fronterhouse. “They want an authentic experience. We want to honor the chefs, food ,and cultures that make our city great and show the world that Houston is a proud and friendly place."

Texas cabrito sopes with queso fresco and pickled red cabbage.

Houstonian Hotel Tribute restaurant Texas Cabrito sopes

Courtesy photo

Texas cabrito sopes with queso fresco and pickled red cabbage.

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recess time

New Houston restaurant's supervised playground will give parents a break

Recess restaurant playground interior rendering

Courtesy of Recess

Recess will give kids a place to play.

A family-friendly bar, restaurant, and playground is starting to take shape where River Oaks meets Montrose. When it opens in early 2026, Recess will offer a number of amenities designed to appeal to busy families.

Courtesy of Recess

Recess will give kids a place to play.

Located in a former bank building at 1500 Waugh Dr., Recess is a 12,500-square-foot, two-story venue that’s designed for parents and kids. At its heart is a supervised play area created by Houston design firm Rootlab that will allow kids to romp in a creative, colorful environment. Since the play area will be supervised by Recess’ staff (described in press materials as “highly trained caregivers”), parents are free to have a bite to eat and sip a drink in the facility’s second-story restaurant. Recess’ owners portray the concept as a win-win that gives kids a break from screen time while allowing adults to have a little break from the responsibilities of childcare.

“As parents, we know how hard it can be to find balance — to stay connected to your spouse, your friends, or even just yourself while raising young kids,” co-founder Jonathan Davy said in a statement. “Recess was born from that everyday reality. We wanted to create a space that makes that truly possible — a secure environment where kids can play freely while adults can genuinely breathe for a minute without feeling like they’re on duty.”

Recess will offer families a range of price points, including hourly rates, multi-visit packages, and long term memberships. Towards that end, it will soon offer a limited number of “Founder Memberships” that come with perks such as priority reservations and early booking for private events.

Details on the food and drink offerings have yet to be finalized, but Recess promises its adult-oriented spaces will match the quality of its playground. Towards that end, the owners have retained hospitality consultant Scott Sulma to develop that aspect of its offerings. Prior to going out on his own, Sulma worked as the general manager of Tony’s and as the area director for Baltimore-based Atlas Restaurant Group’s Houston operations (Loch Bar, Azumi, Marmo).

“Recess is about reclaiming family time — making it easier, more joyful and more meaningful,” added co-founder Paul Rice “Our goal from the start was to take the stress out of family outings and give parents a chance to unwind and be present.”

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