Wine and Beer Revival

Heights market beats summer heat with new beer, wine, and cocktail options

Heights residents with a taste for boutique wines, craft beer, and boozy agua frescas have a new outlet for wetting their collective whistles. Two years after voters approved a measure that repealed the historic dry zone in The Heights, Revival Market is now serving and selling a tidy selection of wine, beer, and cocktails.

“We wanted to sell wine and beer from the beginning,” co-owner Morgan Weber said in a statement. “One of the keys to success in a multi-faceted concept like Revival — café, retailer, coffee shop, butcher shop — is being able to reply on multiple revenue centers for daily sales. We’ll also finally be able to provide our Revival Market guests with creative beverages and thoughtful wine and beer lists just as we do at our other concepts.”

General manager Layne Cruz began the TABC approval process in early 2019. Working with Coltivare sommelier-general manager Leonora Varvoutis, Cruz has assembled a list of 20 wines for sale by the bottle with nine available by the glass. Some of the selections include customer favorites from Coltivare.

"Obviously, our entire list isn’t available at Revival Market, but some of the gems definitely are," Varvoutis stated.

Every bottle is priced under $60 for dine-in guests, with a retail discount available for people who want to take them home. The list's primary goal is to be accessible for diners who want a glass of wine at lunch, a mimosa at breakfast, or a bottle to sip over the course of a lazy afternoon.

"I steered away from big, heavy wines," Cruz added. "This will be a new day-drinking destination, so we want the wines to be light, crushable, and delicious.”

Adding wine will also allow chef Steve Lamborn to update the menu with more snacks and other items that pair well with a beverage or two. Expect more wine dinners and pairing classes from the veteran chef, who came to Revival in May from The Pass & Provisions.

Wine and beer have come to Revival Market.

Photo by Julia Weber

Wine and beer have come to Revival Market.

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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.

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