On The Rise
Dallas-based soufflé restaurant whips up plans to open in hot Galleria-area development
BLVD Place is already home to three restaurants that have made a splash over the last year in North Italia, True Food Kitchen and Peska Seafood Culture, but the luxurious development isn't done adding restaurants yet. Recently, a sign went up that Dallas soufflé restaurant Rise nº1 will be opening a Houston location directly above Peska with the numerically appropriate name Rise nº2. It's the first manifestation of a state-wide expansion plan that CultureMap Dallas reported about last year.
"We have so many clients that are in Houston that come already," founder Hedda Dowd tells CultureMap. "I think we always felt that when we branched out that was going to be our next spot. We feel so fortunate to have secured that location."
While the restaurant's fans have been calling Dowd for status updates, she doesn't know exactly when the Houston location will open. "We are very anxious to get going. I’m not trying to be coy," she says. Like many restaurants, Rise nº2 is held up by the slow pace of city permits, which have been particularly backed up since the Memorial Day flood. Hopefully, it will be open by the end of the year.
Turning to more pleasant topics, Dowd describes Rise's soufflés as an "egg in celebratory form." Over the restaurant's eight-year history, it's built a devoted following for both its savory and sweet varieties, as well as signature items like marshmallow soup. Dowd explains that a major part of Rise's appeal is that its dishes are light and healthy.
"We’ve had them analyzed by the Cooper Clinic. They’re very good nutritionally. Based on that, we’ve built a very nutritious lifestyle for a lot of folks," she says. As for the design, "it’s a five sensory experience. When you walk into Rise, you’ll be transported. It’s a place to feed your soul."
Until the City of Houston gets caught up, all Dowd can do is wait, but she does have a message for Houstonians.
"We're coming soon. I promise."