Foodie News

Benjy's gets in on Houston's local market revival: Set to open new Local Foodsin Antone's space

The Rice Village Antone's will soon be a modern market called Local Foods.
Photo via Your Houston News
Local Foods owner Benjy Levit
Photo by Deborah Smail

I don't care what the Chinese say, 2011 is the year of the market. Whether it's the retro-fab Revival Market in the Heights, gourmand-friendly Relish in River Oaks or the proliferation and expansion of farmers markets around town, the melding of local products and freshly prepared foods has taken hold around Houston.

Now Benjy's is getting in the game, opening a new concept called Local Foods in Rice Village in the former Antone's space, next to Benjy's Rice Village location.

"It's something we've been wanting to do for years," owner Benjy Levit says. "It will be similar to the scope of Antone's but with a local, artisan approach."

"What's going to be in the market will depend, so maybe one day there will be a great local seafood, or maybe we'll have local vegetables like okra, cucumbers and tomatoes," Levit says.

Levit says to expect counter service, made-to-order sandwiches and salads, prepared foods and house-made favorites from Benjy's, including the restaurant's famous beer nuts, granola and cheese crackers. Local Foods will source products from 15-20 local vendors to sell directly and use in the sandwiches and salads, including Texas Hill Country olive oil, Pola cheese and a new draft root beer from the guys behind the forthcoming 8th Wonder Brewery.

"We're going to be using artisan bread, if there's bologna in a sandwich, it'll be house-cured," Levit says. "What's going to be in the market will depend, so maybe one day there will be a great local seafood, or maybe we'll have local vegetables like okra, cucumbers and tomatoes. It's the local ingredients and vendors we already work with at Benjy's but also available for purchase."

Designed by Found for the Home co-owner Aaron Rambo, Levit says the space will be a mix of modern design and found objects with seating for 60. Local Foods is expected to open in October with service from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at first, with breakfast hours to be added in the future.

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true to forme

Beard-recognized Houston chef's rooftop restaurant now open in Midtown

Photo by Rebekah Flores

The Branch serves breakfast daily.

A two-time James Beard Award finalist has opened his latest project. The Branch, a new concept from chef Chris Williams, officially opens this Thursday, October 1.

Part of Williams’ Lucille’s Hospitality Group, The Branch is intended to be a wellness-focused concept that utilizes seasonal ingredients and a rotating raw bar. Located on the 12th floor of the Forme, a luxury high-rise at 5501 La Branch, the 20,000-square-foot space offers both dining and lounge spaces along with a rooftop patio. It’s open for breakfast daily along with lunch and dinner Thursday-Sunday.

In the morning, diners may opt for the Harvest Table, a $20, Continental-style breakfast that includes pastries, a yogurt and honey bar, cheese, charcuterie, and fresh fruit. A la carte selections consist of staples such as chilaquiles, avocado and tuna toast, a crab cake Benedict, a Southwest omelet (black beans, corn, and avocado topped with pico de gallo, crema, and arugula salad), and more.

At lunch and dinner, the raw bar menu starts with a daily crudo special, oysters with bourbon mignonette, a tuna toastada, shrimp cocktail, and more. From there, diners turn to the “Fresh & Pressed” section of sandwiches, including Williams’ take on a club, Cuban, and a vegetarian pressed sandwich. Salads, wings, cheese, and charcuterie round out the daytime selections.

They’re paired with a number of house cocktails, beer, and wines by-the-glass. Two desserts complete the experience. Many of the cocktails are low ABV and can be made spirit-free.

Lucille’s Hospitality Group is known for its Southern-inspired Museum District restaurant Lucille’s and Lucille’s 1913, a nonprofit that operates farms that provide access to fresh food in underserved areas.

“We’re excited to partner with The Forme,” Williams said in a statement. “It’s not only an opportunity to utilize our culinary toolkit through room service and an entirely different dining experience across the street from Lucille’s, but it’s also another opportunity to create equity in one of the country’s most dynamic culinary cities. The space itself is truly special, with some of the best views in Houston and a setting unlike anything else in the city. We’re excited to create an experience that complements the neighborhood that has been our home for the past 17 years.”

The Forme is a 33-story high-rise that’s focused on wellness, productivity, and community. In addition to The Branch, its amenities include a 20,000-square-foot fitness and recovery area, a 9,000-square-foot outdoor pool deck with pool and expansive hot tub, and 20,000 square feet of flexible coworking space.

Photo by Rebekah Flores

The Branch serves breakfast daily.