Pissing In the Wind?

Pee Gate: Feast chef denies health inspector urination charge, wonders how itbecame TV big

A busy Thursday night in the middle of Houston Restaurant Weeks is an unfortunate time for a surprise visit from city health inspectors . . . and no establishment knows that better than the owners of Feast, who are still stinging from a list of Aug. 23 health violations ranging from improper plumbing installations to the chef urinating behind the building.

Though the acclaimed nose-to-tail establishment resolved the issues within 24 hours, KPRC Ch. 2 reporter Amy Davis refused to let go of the outdoor pee break during her Aug. 30 Restaurant Report Card segment, which lauded a local Arby's and a west side Honeybaked Ham for A+ cleanliness.

"I certainly wasn't out back urinating. It was way too busy that night in the kitchen," says chef and owner James Silk. " It could have been anyone back there."

"We really were broad-sided by this last week, when Channel 2 showed up in front of the restaurant and started accosting my wife," chef and co-owner James Silk tells CultureMap. "I don't know where they're getting their information. We corrected everything on the health department report and there was never any mention of someone urinating."

While the official city report obtained by CultureMap clearly notes "chef urinated in bushes the back of establishment," Silk is rather miffed by the inspector's observation.

"I certainly wasn't out back urinating. It was way too busy that night in the kitchen . . . The bushes are about 40 feet from the building and only our valet people are ever in that area," he says. "It could have been anyone back there."

Patrick Key, chief of the city's Bureau of Consumer Health Services, says an exterior sweep of a food establishment is common practice to ensure that waste is being properly disposed. He stands by the report.

"Not only do we focus on the interior, but we also make sure they keep the premises clean," Keys says. "The re-inspection conducted the following day was much better, although the report does mention finding a dead possum behind the building." (The official report notes the possum issue was corrected on-site that same day.)

After a steady stream of Restaurant Weeks business, Feast is currently planning for a forthcoming benefit dinner for Barrio Dogs, a Houston nonprofit dedicated to proper animal care. Though deeply upset by the KPRC report — which he calls a "non-story" — Silk says he's trying to move past the health inspection incident.

"This whole thing is a load of nonsense," he says. "We're a small business and this is our livelihood. Things like this affect us very directly."

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there's the rub

Restaurant known for 'new Houston cuisine' now open in Cypress

Courtesy of Jonathan's the Rub

Jonathan's the Rub serves steaks and other dishes.

A restaurant known for its eclectic “new Houston cuisine” has opened in Cypress. The fourth location of Jonathan’s the Rub is now open for dinner in Bridgeland (20215 Bridgeland Creek Parkway).

First announced last year, the new Jonathan’s is located in Village Green, a 70-acre mixed-use development within the 925-acre Bridgeland Central district. The 5,500-square-foot restaurant includes two patios totaling 2,600 square feet, giving the restaurant plenty of room for private dining rooms, a bar area, and indoor-outdoor areas with fire pits and greenery.

“We were looking for the next frontier — a community with a booming population and a clear vision for growth that aligns with our brand,” chef-owner Jonathan Levine said in a statement. “When we discovered Bridgeland and learned it was a Howard Hughes development, we were immediately impressed. With their reputation for developing generational communities, we felt confident that Bridgeland was the right place for our family and for Jonathan’s the Rub.”

Like Jonathan’s three other locations, the menu at Bridgeland is built around Levine’s signature “new Houston cuisine,” a kicked-up take on comfort food that includes everything from lobster tacos and blackened shrimp and grits to Italian American classics and steakhouse fare.

Village Green is also home to H-E-B and restaurants such as Sweet Paris Crêperie & Café and Crust Pizza Co. Austin-based burger joint P. Terry’s will open there next year.

“Jonathan’s the Rub’s arrival in Bridgeland Central brings a distinguished addition to the culinary scene in both the community and northwest Houston,” said Jim Carman, president of the Texas region, for Bridgeland developer Howard Hughes Communities. “We’re proud to partner with exceptional restaurateurs like Chef Jonathan Levine to bring elevated dining experiences that enhance the lifestyle offerings for our residents and neighbors.”

Courtesy of Jonathan's the Rub

Jonathan's the Rub serves steaks and other dishes.