a federal case

Whiskey-fueled Washington Avenue restaurant drafts Memorial for new location

Federal Grill is coming to the Memorial villages.

Courtesy of Federal Grill

Memorial-area diners will have a new, whiskey-fueled restaurant to visit in 2020. Federal Grill is coming to Hedwig Village, owner Matt Brice tells CultureMap.

Scheduled to open in the spring, the new Federal Grill will occupy approximately 7,000 square feet in the first floor of the Hedwig Place office building at 8731 Katy Fwy. Brice says he considered various options for a second location but held out for something that's both highly visible and close to where he lives.

“We’ve been looking for four or five years now. I couldn’t find the right location,” he says. “I’ve looked for restaurants in the Woodlands, everywhere, but I held out because it’s where we want to be.”

Federal Grill fans will be pleased to know that the locations at both restaurants will be identical. The restaurant has succeeded by providing upscale comfort food such as crab cakes, cheeseburger egg rolls, steaks, salads, and more. While the restaurant doesn’t have a named chef, Brice notes his crew makes everything from scratch, even the restaurant’s desserts.

Having more space will allow Brice to build a larger bar that will display more of the restaurant’s extensive whiskey selections. He estimates diners will be able to see approximately 600 different bottles out of the 1,000 or so he intends to feature.

As with the food, the new restaurant will look much like the original on Shepherd Drive with lots of wood throughout the dining room. Two private rooms, one that seats 20 and another that seats 45, will provide venues for the restaurant’s popular whiskey dinners.

“It’s going to be an open-kitchen concept, so you can see the cooks in action,” Brice says. Everything is brand new. Basically, I’ll be broke for the next 10 years.”

Jokes aside, Brice realizes how fortunate he’s been during the six years since he took over the Branch Water Tavern space from chef David Grossman and transformed it into Federal Grill. Opening a second location prompts the obvious question: will there be a third?

“I don’t know. If God blesses us, and if the door opens easy. This location, that’s what happened,” Brice says. “I was approached by the owner. He said, ‘Matt, we want Federal in there.’

“I’ve had to work hard for other things, but this came easy. The money came easily. If it were to happen again, then we’ll do it.”

news-you-can-eat openings

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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