Hugo Coming Downtown?

Today's hot rumor: Hugo Ortega sets sights on luxurious downtown hotel for new restaurant

Houston, Marriott Marquis hotel downtown, September 2015, exterior ground level

The Marriott Marquis will likely be home to a new restaurant from Tracy Vaught and Hugo Ortega.

Courtesy rendering

Houston may be sweltering this summer, but plenty of people are already thinking about February. With Super Bowl LI only about 200 days away, preparations are underway to ensure the city puts its best foot forward. One major component of those efforts is the Marriott Marquis, the luxurious 30-story hotel that's set to open in October.

The hotel has already announced it will be home to a sports bar affiliated with Houston Astros Hall of Famer Craig Biggio, but rumors have swirled for the past year that another restaurant in the hotel would be helmed by "a James Beard-nominated chef," as CultureMap's Marcy de Luna reported last year.

Well, the deal appears to be done, and the hotel got its chef. Hugo Ortega and Tracy Vaught, the five time James Beard Award finalist and his wife/business partner known for acclaimed restaurants Hugo's, Caracol, and Backstreet Cafe, are making plans to open a restaurant in the hotel.

Rosalina, LLC, a company owned by Vaught, has signed an agreement with the Marquis to open a restaurant called Xochi, according to a UCC Financing Statement filed with Harris County Clerk Stan Stanart that was sent to CultureMap by a reader (New blog In the Know Houston first made the connection between Vaught and Rosalina). So far, representatives for both Vaught and Ortega and the Marquis have declined CultureMap's request to comment on their plans.

"This project/announcement is going to be a group effort, and all parties involved have come to an agreement on how/when to break the news as a group," publicist Paula Murphy writes in an email.

Sadly, that means the details about the concept, such as what style of cuisine it will serve, when it will open, and how exactly to pronounce "Xochi," will have to wait for another day. Still, it's legitimately exciting to know that such a high-profile hotel has tapped an acclaimed Houston chef to give it culinary credibility.

A number of Houston chefs have attempted to find success in hotels — from Bryan Caswell pre-Reef at the Hotel Icon to Ryan Pera pre-Coltivare at 17 in the Alden (now the Sam Houston) and Jonathan Jones at the Hotel ZaZa — but Houstonians seem generally unwilling to embrace them. On the other hand, the hotel will be a destination in its own right (hello, Texas-shaped pool), and, if anyone can break the cycle, it's Vaught and Ortega.

Update: A representative for the Marquis has informed CultureMap that the hotel's opening has been pushed back to November.

hotels openings downtown news-you-can-eat

dine by the vines

Exclusive Texas Hill Country winery restaurant named best in the world

Stout's Signature restaurant at Grape Creek Vineyards in Fredericksburg

Photo courtesy of Grape Creek Vineyards

Stout's Signature is Grape Creek's members-only restaurant, but a small number of reservations will be offered to non-members.

The Hill Country has no shortage of vineyards and wineries that serve bites with their vintages, but only one Fredericksburg vineyard boasts a restaurant that measures up against the best in the world.

The industry experts at Wine Enthusiast have declared Stout's Signature at Grape Creek Vineyards one of the 57 best destination restaurants in the world. It's the only Texas restaurant to make the cut.

The new honor also elevates Grape Creek Vineyards' reputation as one of the best wineries in the Hill Country region, and its tasting tours are also recognized among the best in the country.

Stout's is a hidden gem restaurant where patrons can enjoy Hill Country-inspired cuisine with their wine tastings, from light bites to a hearty meal, all while the sprawling Grape Creek vineyard beckons from beyond the tables.

Signature dinner dishes like the tenderloin bolognese and meatballs made with veal, pork, and ground beef are must-try picks, but Wine Enthusiast reserves the most praise for its weekend brunch.

"[Stout's] boasts the region’s best Sunday brunch, with tables laden with dishes like Bourbon shrimp and grits with homemade andouille sausage and a breakfast burger with egg, bacon, and avocado," Wine Enthusiast wrote. "A mini pancake stack for the table is a must. Pair it with their Cabernet Trois, a bold blend of Cab Sauvignon, Cab Franc, and Ruby Cabernet."

Wine tasting at Grape Creek Vineyards Pair a pour with an app or an entree.Photo courtesy of Grape Creek Vineyards

Stout's has traditionally been a members-only institution for the Grape Creek Wine Club, but non-members now have a chance to dine at the exclusive restaurant. A limited number of Friday and Saturday evening dinner reservations will be offered to the public after the winery's regular closing at 5:30 pm.

"Stout's Signature has always felt like one of our best-kept secrets, and we wanted to give more people the chance to experience it, especially after being named one of the best winery restaurants in the world by Wine Enthusiast this summer," said Heath Family Brands CEO and founder Brian Heath.

Stout's Signature is located at 10587 US-290 in Fredericksburg. Non-member reservation availability is limited, and can be booked by calling 830-644-2710, opt. 3, or online via heathfamilybrands.com.

winery hill country fredericksburg grape creek vineyard restaurants wine enthusiast