Bento's Back

Talented local chef returns to Shepherd's world, but his Heights restaurant is toast

Lyle Bento is returning to the Underbelly family.

Photo by Julie Soefer

Patrons at Underbelly Hospitality's off-site projects, whether they be catering jobs or serving food at NRG Stadium, will see a familiar face overseeing the operation. Chef-owner Chris Shepherd announced that he has hired chef Lyle Bento to serve as the company's chef de cuisine with of catering and special projects such as food preservation.

While it's a new opportunity for Bento, the news also means that Southern Goods, his Heights restaurant that suffered a devastating fire last year, won't be reopening. Instead, he's reuniting with Shepherd, having previously served as a sous chef at Underbelly from its opening day until setting out on his own. The chef tells CultureMap that he'll miss the restaurant that was among the best new openings of 2015, but it was time to move on.

"This battle with the insurance company has been overwhelming," Bento says. "It got to the point where I was running out of time. I just decided to pull the plug on it."

Bento also rejects any suggestion that going from owning his own restaurant to working for Shepherd is a step back in his career. "I've never been somebody that's a title chaser. As long as I'm somewhere where I'm around people I love and can trust, then I don't see it as a step back. I think it's a great opportunity for me to be able to do some fun stuff . . . There's a lot of opportunity to grow in this company."

To facilitate its growing catering business, Underbelly Hospitality has built a kitchen in a bungalow near Cherryhurst Park in Montrose that will also serve as an intimate space for private events; the dedicated facility gives the company the capacity to prepare food for up to 2,000 people without interrupting operations at any of the restaurants. Bento has also spent time at each of the company's concepts, so that he and his team can turn out any of the dishes from Shepherd's restaurants, whether its UB Preserv's crispy rice salad, Hay Merchant's cease and desist burgers, or Georgia James' uni panna cotta.

"As Underbelly Hospitality grows, we want to bring our family back," Shepherd said in a statement. “We’ve had a catering program for a few years as an extension of Underbelly’s offerings, but now that the company is growing, our catering capabilities have grown as well. Lyle understands the Underbelly philosophy and our commitment to quality. Plus, he’s a damn good cook and a great leader. Everyone at UBH is thrilled to have him back."

chefs

Bowling over Houston

Gluten-free Austin restaurant picks River Oaks for first Houston store

Rendering of Honest Mary's in River Oaks

Rendering by Mark Odom Studio

Honest Mary's, an Austin-based eatery, is expanding with a new location in Houston's River Oaks in fall 2025.

It will be a Houston homecoming for restauranteur Nelson Monteith with the fall 2025 debut of Honest Mary’s in River Oaks.

“It’s a joy and honor to bring a brand we’ve worked hard to create in Austin and finally be able to share that concept with friends and family in Houston,” Monteith said in a statement. “There’s a bit of built-in comfort in knowing there are folks here who are already fans of Honest Mary’s. They’ve been asking us for years to open a location in Houston, and now it’s happening.”

Located at 2047-A West Gray St., Honest Mary's will occupy the current La Madeleine space. It is not known at this time when La Madeleine will close, but construction on Honest Mary's is expected to begin in May 2025.

Monteith and his wife, Mary, launched Honest Mary’s in 2017 after embracing mindful eating to improve their health. Since then, the Austin-based eatery that describes itself as serving "life-giving fast food" has expanded to four locations, with the upcoming River Oaks spot marking its arrival in Houston.

“There’s healthy food, fresh food, and fast food,” he said. “We wanted to create something that fits into that sweet spot without sacrificing quality or convenience. The trend towards healthy eating and the reality of busy lifestyles aren’t slowing down. We offer a place that caters to both.”

At the center of Honest Mary’s menu are five signature bowls ranging from poke to vegetarian, including the smoky poblano ($10.25) that features a basmati rice base with fresh vegetables of wild arugula, sweet corn, and pickled onions in a creamy poblano sauce. Co-partner and chef Andrew Wiseheart, known for Austin’s Contigo and Ladybird Taco, leads the kitchen.

Honest Mary's menu features healthy, gluten-free bowls. Guests can choose from five signature bowls at Honest Mary's, or create their own.Courtesy of Honest Mary's

Diners can build their own bowls by selecting a base like quinoa, proteins including grilled chicken and tuna, and vegetables such as sweet potatoes. Pickled onions, cucumber salad, and avocado are among the topping selections, with sauces like lemon garlic and cashew-lime crema.

Scratch-made sipping broths round out the menu, with the chicken bone broth packed with celery, carrots, onions and parsley, or an umami-rich seaweed and mushroom broth.

A selection of house-made aguas frescas and teas, local craft beer, wine, kombucha, and organic cold-pressed juices will be available, as will Honest Mary’s popular almond butter cookies sweetened with maple syrup and topped with a sprinkle of Maldon salt.

Rendering by Mark Odom Studio

Honest Mary's, an Austin-based eatery, is expanding with a new location in Houston's River Oaks in fall 2025.

With its fully gluten-free menu, Honest Mary’s caters to a range of dietary preferences, including vegetarian, vegan, and dairy-free. To align with Monteith’s dedication to nutrition, Honest Mary’s uses seed oils sparingly and prioritizes local and organic ingredients when possible.

“River Oaks Shopping Center has a unique blend of history and vibrant new concepts, making it the ideal home for us,” Monteith said. “We aim to be a neighborhood spot where people can enjoy delicious, healthy food.”

Lunden McGill and John Frazier of Baker Katz brokered the deal for the 2,200-square-foot space and additional patio with seating for 38 inside and 44 outside. Mark Odom Studio is responsible for architecture and design.

Honest Mary’s signature elements of terra cotta and blue tilework will be incorporated to provide consistency between all five locations, while Art Deco-inspired decor of lush greenery, warm wood tones and natural light will align the space with the River Oaks Shopping Center’s structure.

Takeaway, delivery, and dine-in will be provided daily from 11 am to 9 pm.

news-you-can-eat openings honest mary's