FM switches off

Comfort food restaurant FM Kitchen quietly closes Montrose location

FM Kitchen Montrose opening night exterior

FM Kitchen has closed in Montrose.

Courtesy of FM Kitchen & Bar

A Houston comfort food restaurant’s second location has quietly closed after only a year of operations. FM Kitchen & Bar’s Montrose outpost served its last meals in June, according to a representative.

The restaurant did not announce the closure on its social media, and it has not been reported until now. A sign in the window encourages diners to visit FM Kitchen’s original location on Shepherd Drive. In response to CultureMap’s request for comment about the closure, the restaurant provided a statement from operating partner Jason Mok:

We appreciate the Montrose community for supporting us over the past 12 months. We have some cool changes and new opportunities planned for the space. We’ll be taking this time to focus on FM Shepherd and PKL Social, our new outdoor patio, pickleball and sports bar concept opening later this year.

Opened in June 2021, FM Kitchen’s Montrose location offered the same comfort food menu as the Shepherd location but distinguished itself with a broader cocktail program and an all-new late night menu. Local design firm Gin Design Group created a look designed to be approachable at lunch and dinner and more "moody" later in the evening.

Montrose diners who find themselves missing FM Kitchen's signatures dishes such as its cheeseburger, wings, and chicken fried steak will be comforted that the original location is only about three miles away. It remains open and is unaffected by the Montrose location's closure.

As Mok notes, FM Kitchen’s ownership is preparing to open PKL Social next to the Shepherd location.The new concept will feature four pickleball courts, a covered deck, cabanas, and more than 10,000-square-feet of patio space. A tidy food menu will feature some of FM Kitchen's most popular dishes such as burgers, wings, the spicy fried chicken sandwich, and tater tots. Beverage options will include easy drinking cocktails such as a cherry limeade and frozen paloma as well as beers, seltzers, and non-alcoholic options. It’s expected to open this fall.

closings

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