Fig & Olive Confirmed

Galleria confirms Fig & Olive joining Nobu in former Saks Fifth Avenue

Galleria rendering Nobu Fig and Olive exterior

The Galleria has confirmed that Fig & Olive will arrive in 2017.

Courtesy image

The Galleria's bid to become as well known for its national and international dining options as it is for its shopping got a little stronger on Monday. Simon Properties announced that Fig & Olive — a French-inspired, upscale chain with eight restaurants spread across New York, California, Washington, D.C., and Chicago — will join international sushi juggernaut Nobu in the section of the mall that's being constructed in the former home of Saks Fifth Avenue.

When it opens in the fall of 2017, Fig & Olive's first Texas location will occupy more than 7,000-square feet on the first floor of the building. True to its name, the restaurant emphasizes its use of olive oil in Mediterranean-style dishes like truffle risotto, branzino glazed with aged balsamic vinegar, and crudos. A retail component allows diners to purchase the oils for cooking at home.

"There is significant consumer demand for fine dining options and The Galleria is pleased to be the first to welcome these exclusive brands," said Simon Properties executive Vicki Hanor in a statement. "Our powerful leasing momentum continues to yield premiere, luxury retailers and restaurants – many of which are first to Houston . . . We are extremely committed to providing our shoppers with an unrivaled shopping experience that includes preeminent retail stores and restaurants."

Indeed, the Galleria has undergone a comprehensive series of upgrades this year as it competes for both attention and dollars with newly opened River Oaks District. In addition to the all-new, 200,000 square foot Saks Fifth Avenue that opened in April, The Webster has brought one of the country's coolest fashion boutiques to the Galleria's "jewel box" on Westheimer. Plans are also underway to build a 30-story hotel and apartment tower on the site of the former Macy's at Sage and West Alabama.

Improvements in the mall's dining options will begin to manifest later this year when New York-based burger empire Shake Shack and Michelin-starred dim sum restaurant Yauatcha make their debuts. Taken together, these four new restaurants will give The Galleria a culinary credibility its never had before (sorry, Del Frisco's). We can't wait to see what's next.

openings news-you-can-eat shopping

into the woods

Intimate Houston cocktail lounge adds European-inspired outdoor patio

Clarkwood cocktail bar in Montrose courtyard

Photo Courtesy of Clarkwood

The Gin Design Group brought together shades of cream, gray, and white to deliver an elevated ambiance.

Houstonians, there’s a new al fresco destination for the summer — Clarkwood, the chic cocktail bar in Montrose, has expanded with a 1,500-square-foot courtyard bar.

Housed in a 1930s building that was once home to the Star Engraving Co., Clarkwood became an immediate favorite for date nights and celebratory sips when co-founders Army Sadeghi and Mason Clark opened it in 2022. Indeed, the only problem is that it has never had enough room to accommodate everyone who wants to join the party. The courtyard doubles Clarkwood’s capacity and adds versatility to its nightlife programming, including ambient DJ sets and seasonal late-night events.

Nominated for Bar of the Year in the CultureMap Tastemaker Awards, Clarkwood’s elevated ambiance has been thoughtfully extended to the outdoors by Houston's Gin Design Group, with shades of cream, gray, and white combining with lush greenery and old world glamour reminiscent of Europe. Meanwhile, a rotating lineup of DJs and other late-night programming will either energize or chill the atmosphere.

“The courtyard bar is a reflection of our commitment to thoughtful, high-design hospitality,” Sadeghi said in a statement. “It gives us space to push creatively — with new drinks, music, and experiences — while staying true to the intimate elegance that defines Clarkwood.”

To celebrate the expansion, Clarkwood is offering two cocktails that will only be served in the courtyard bar. The Clarkwood Punch Bowl is a shareable libation crafted tableside with gin, elderflower, cold-pressed Texas grapefruit, tonic, and rosé. For a more tropical drink, the Mezcal Matcha Colada combines mezcal and blanco tequila with ceremonial-grade matcha, pineapple, banana, and coconut cream.

And for those who can’t imagine summer without an Aperol spritz, there’s the Gold Hour Spritz Menu. Launching this season, the menu features three unique spritzes and is available nightly from 6-8 pm.

Clarkwood is open daily from 5 pm-2 am.

Photo courtesy of Clarkwood

The Gin Design Group brought together shades of cream, gray, and white to deliver an elevated ambiance.

cocktails nightlife openings