Bar Beat

Owner of shuttered wine bar hatches big plans for new neighborhood gathering spot

Lillo & Ella's patio will have a new look when it reopens as The Barking Pig

Courtesy photo

For a relatively small space, the building at 2307 Ella has seen a lot of change over the past few years. Southern/French restaurant Heights West quickly gave way to tequila and tacos bar El Gran Malo. Right when EGM seemed established as a popular destination, Roost chef/owner Kevin Naderi acquired the property for his Asian street food restaurant Lillo & Ella.

Now that's gone, too, but, Kristen Powell, the property's new owner, seems poised to provide the residents of Lazybrook, Timbergrove and Shady Acres with something a little more permanent.

Patrons may recognize Powell's name from her time as the owner of Simone on Sunset in Rice Village. When she suddenly found herself locked out by her landlord in a rent dispute, Powell and her mother began looking for a new property (it has since reopened under new management). Powell tells CultureMap she recognized the opportunity as soon as she found the building for sale.

"I’ve always wanted to own my own property, so I don’t have any issues. It’s also a great investment," she says. "There’s great parking. Two patios. It’s kind of a blank slate where you can change things up but still have that Heights feel."

The Barking Pig

Taking a name from a story about a boy who dreamed big and did his own thing, Powell is calling her new business The Barking Pig.

"It’s got a great definition on Urban Dictionary about how someone wants to build their own life and go against the grain. I kind of feel like that’s who I am. It really hit home with me," she says.

Powell hopes to open as soon as she receives her liquor license from TABC, which could be as soon as the end of October. Her plans for the space include new paint for the interior and landscaping on the patio that will include a water feature and more lighting. Unlike adults-only Simone, Powell wants The Barking Pig to be family friendly. "If you want to bring your kids and sit on the patio and watch football, you can do that."

The food menu is still under development, but Powell says she's working on a short list of small and medium plates. Of course, the bar will bring back her popular weekly specials like burger night, steak night and taco night. Whatever The Barking Pig becomes, she's sure she's found the right spot.

"I didn’t want to pull the trigger on just anything," Powell explains. "When this came up, when we were told about this property, we fell in love."

cocktails openings

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.

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