7 things to know

7 things to know in Houston food right now: Reopenings, closings, and $1 Ninfaritas

Editor's note: Houston’s restaurant scene moves pretty fast. In order to prevent CultureMap readers from missing anything, let’s stop to look around at all the latest news to know.

Re-openings and closings

Clark Cooper Concepts has switched things up again. Just a few weeks after reopening The Dunlavy for dine-in service, the company has temporarily closed the restaurant for daily service. However, groups of 20-50 people may utilize the chandelier-adorned space for private dinners.

On a more positive note, those who prefer meals that include bivalves and bubbles will be cheered by the news that Brasserie 19 has resumed weekday lunch service. The company’s River Oaks mainstay now opens at 11 am Tuesday - Sunday.

Chefs on the move

Brennan’s of Houston has a new executive chef. Joey Chavez comes to Houston from Baltimore, where he served as executive chef of The Bygone, a rooftop concept at The Four Seasons hotel. His resume includes a year spent working for legendary chef Thomas Keller at both The French Laundry and Bouchon as well as stints at San Francisco’s OTD and the Caribou Club in Aspen.

In addition to serving Brennan’s classic Creole fare, Chavez is introducing himself to diners with a five-course chef’s tasting menu that currently includes Louisiana crab salad, cornbread and truffle chicken, and bbq lamb with smoked tomato relish (specific dishes vary by availability). The meal costs $80 per person and is available for both dine-in and to-go.

“One of my greatest joys while here at Brennan’s has been to introduce Houston to exciting new talent,” proprietor Alex Brennan-Martin said in a statement. “We’ve been energized by so many who have spent their early careers with us in our restaurant and, in large part, are the restaurant we are today because of these great people. With that being said, I am very excited to introduce Houston to our newest executive chef, Joey Chavez.”

Other news and notes

A hearty congratulations to Tracy Vaught. The Texas Restaurant Association has inducted Vaught — who owns H-Town Restaurant Group with her husband, James Beard Award-winning chef Hugo Ortega — into its Hall of Honor. Described as the highest award the association can bestow on members, criteria include “superior business ethics,” significant contributions to the TRA, and a “lengthy and comprehensive evaluation” by other people in the restaurant industry.

Two of Houston’s Black-owned restaurants have each received $25,000 from Discover. That’s My Dog and GoCajun Subs are two beneficiaries of the Eat It Forward program that will supply a total of $5 million to 200 Black-owned restaurants nationwide. Recipients are randomly selected from nominations submitted via Discover’s Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts. The company will hold weekly drawings through November to pick the remaining winners.

Goode Company will give The Woodlands a taste of its smash hit Goode Bird pop-up this week. Get fried chicken, biscuits, and sides such as jalapeño creamed corn at The Woodlands location of Goode Co. BBQ (8865 Six Pines Drive), which has been temporarily closed since the start of the pandemic. Pre-orders are already available for pickup between 12 - 8 pm Saturday and Sunday; interested diners should act quickly — it will definitely sell out.

The Original Ninfa's is selling its house margarita for $1 every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Customers may choose either on-the-rocks or frozen with a limit of two Ninfaritas per person. The special is available “for the foreseeable future” at both the Navigation and Uptown locations.

Nancy’s Hustle will host a pop-up on Saturday, August 22 in support of Mavia Bakery, which has been feeding the citizens of Beirut since the tragic explosion that damaged much of the city. The menu includes manoosh (flatbread topped with za’atar, cheese, or both), a lunch plate with four items, and desserts. The pop-up starts at 10 am and lasts until sold out, which will probably happen quickly.

Get $1 Ninfaritas every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Photo by Becca Wright

Get $1 Ninfaritas every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

news-you-can-eat

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