Boozy News

Hot mixologist to shake up the Washington Avenue scene with a new bar with BobbyHeugel ties

A peek inside Julep, coming to Washington Avenue in 2013.
Courtesy Photo
Alba Huerta has made a name for herself at Grand Prize Bar and Anvil Bar &Refuge; now she's opening her own space.
Courtesy Photo
Vintage details at Julep
Courtesy Photo
Courtesy Photo

Whether you've seen her pouring drinks at Grand Prize Bar, running the show as GM at Anvil Bar & Refuge or shaking it for Houston as the national Speed Rack finals runner-up, there's no denying that Alba Huerta is one of the most skilled mixologists in town.

Now she's branching out to create her own bar, Julep, in the former Corkscrew/Sugarcane space on Washington Avenue, backed by Anvil's Bobby Heugel, Kevin Floyd and Michael Burnett.

"There’s just something special about a finely crafted classic mint julep that strikes a cord with people. It never fails to bring out a smile,” Huerta said in a press release.

Is Julep a great bar name or the best bar name ever?

Julep will feature an extensive bourbon selection and a menu of classic cocktails that "embraces Southern drinking culture," plus table service, a covered patio created from the current garage space, private event space and a "dynamic" food menu.

Huerta is planning an extensive build-out and restoration of the historic building, in keeping with the philosophy behind other Anvil-related projects, including Hay Merchant and the forthcoming Blacksmith coffee shop. With an opening set for January 2013, Huerta will be working with Heugel in the meantime to create a new catering operation for Anvil, which will offer cocktail service at events, weddings, and at pop-up bars on weekends at some of Houston's more interesting spaces.

Are you excited to see Huerta in her own space? And is Julep a great bar name or the best bar name ever?

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Texas comfort food restaurant closes at Memorial City after 10 years

Houston, new patios, March 2017, State Fare

Photo by Julie Soefer

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One of Houston’s favorite destinations for Texas comfort food has closed its original location. State Fare Kitchen & Bar at Gateway Memorial City shuttered after service on Sunday, May 31, its owner Culinary Khancepts announced.

Originally opened in May 2016 by Cherry Pie Hospitality, State Fare quickly established a reputation as a family friendly restaurant with a wide-ranging menu of Texas-inspired dishes such as chicken fried steak, burgers, chili, and seafood. Over time, the restaurant added over-the-top elements such as expansive brunch boards and cocktail flights. It won Best New Restaurant at the 2017 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards.

After being acquired by Culinary Khancepts in 2018, the restaurant expanded to Sugar Land in 2020 (and closed earlier this year), followed by The Woodlands in 2022. That location, in the development’s dining-focused Hughes Landing district, will remain open.

“State Fare wasn’t just a restaurant — it was an experience,” Culinary Khancepts Omar Khan said in a statement. “We set out to continue the legacy of something fun, energetic, and different, and the response from the Houston community exceeded anything we could have imagined. We’re incredibly proud of the memories made there and the role this location played in shaping the future of Culinary Khancepts.”

While State Fare’s time near Memorial City Mall has come to an end, Culinary Khancepts has plans to evolve the concept in a 15,000-square-foot new location. The company is redeveloping State Fare as a “social dining destination” with a “more relevant menu” and games for people to play before or after their meals. Details on the new location will be released in the coming weeks, according to a release.

“This brand has always been about bringing people together and creating moments that guests remember,” Khan said. “What’s coming next builds on everything people loved about State Fare, while taking the experience to an entirely new level.”

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