A Paris Bar For Houston

New Washington Ave bar aims to channel Paris' night club scene — miniature Eiffel Tower included

A bartender at Anvil once told me that you can tell a customer’s personality by where they stand at the bar. If they stand near the entrance, they’re most likely an alpha male, trying to impress their colleagues and the ladies. If you’re towards the back of the bar, you’re probably more of an introvert.

The front part Anvil's bar is usually not very crowded because that clientele can usually be found on the Washington Avenue strip . . . which makes the constant closings of establishments like Sawyer Park (reopened as Social Junkie) and Hollister on Washington disorienting. In the midst of these shut-downs, it’s nice to see that one business is not only remaining open, it's adding a second location.

At night, the bar will be enclosed to try and channel Paris club nightlife.

Owner Bien Tran tells CultureMap that Hughes Hangar will be opening a second bar and club a mere 50 feet from Hughes' 2811 Washington Avenue location. Juan Cao, who designed the atmosphere Tran largely attributes Hughes’ success to, will create an old world Parisian atmosphere complete with a miniature Eiffel Tower for the new bar which will be named The de Gaulle.

Yes, it's a nod to Paris' legendary airport. One side of the building can be completely opened to create a bistro/cafe atmosphere during the day. At night, the bar will be enclosed to try and channel Paris club nightlife.

Day patrons will enjoy jazzy, bossa nova hits such as "The Girl from Ipanema," while creatures of the night will dance to international DJs and European house music. Rare French wines and European cocktails will dominate the menu, which will not include food (for now), but 50 feet isn’t exactly a far walk for the delicious grub of Hughes Hanger (which has one of the best steak nights in town on Wednesdays).

The de Gaulle is shooting for a Halloween grand opening. There will be Edgar Allen Poe novel themed party, “Murders in the Rue Morgue” held closer to the date. A VIP soft opening event is expected to happen one week earlier.

The de Gaulle promises a striking atmosphere.

Courtesy rendering

The de Gaulle promises a striking atmosphere.

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bring on barnaby's

Favorite Houston comfort food spot picks Garden Oaks for 10th location

Courtesy of Barnaby's Cafe

Barnaby's Cafe is coming to the Stomping Grounds this fall.

Earlier this week, real estate developer Bryan Danna promised “big news…very soon” about a new tenant for the former LuLoo’s Day & Night space at his Stomping Grounds development in Garden Oaks. That news is that Houston favorite Barnaby’s Cafe has claimed the space for a new location that will open later this year.

When a Barnaby’s decal appear on the restaurant’s door a couple of days ago, news of the restaurant’s imminent arrival spread quickly on social media. It will be Barnaby’s tenth location, joining outposts in Montrose, River Oaks, the Heights, and more.

The restaurant will occupy a 2,250-square-foot space at the Stomping Grounds. It will offer a to-go window for people hanging out in the development’s green space as well as a gated, dog-friendly patio. Houston artist Roberto Cervantes will contribute works to the restaurant’s interior.

Founded in 1992 by restaurateur Jeff Gale, Barnaby’s is known for its wide-ranging and affordable menu of classic American fare, including salads, sandwiches, breakfast items, and dinner entrees. Customer favorites include the Lebanese chicken fattoush salad, chipotle black bean burger, baby back ribs, and green eggs, which are scrambled with spinach and artichoke hearts. Dogs can snack on a special “puppy menu” of ground beef, sliced chicken breast, or scrambled eggs over brown rice.

Stomping Grounds green space A to-go window will expedite orders for people in the Stomping Grounds' green space.Courtesy of Stomping Grounds

“Bringing Barnaby’s to Garden Oaks and Oak Forest has been on my wish list for more than a decade, so I’m incredibly grateful that Jeff Gale and his team saw Stomping Grounds as the right fit,” Danna said in a statement. “Jeff and I go back to his first Heights location, which was one of Barnaby’s first big moves north of Montrose, and I have always respected what he and his longtime team have built. Thirty years in the restaurant business is a serious accomplishment. You do not make it that long unless you know how to take care of people, build loyalty, and become part of the neighborhood.”

When it opens this fall, Barnaby’s will be open daily from 11 am to 9 pm. It will join other restaurants at the Stomping Grounds, including Fat Cat Creamery, Tex-Mex restaurant La Mex, Bollo Woodfired Pizza, casual sushi restaurant Himari, Little Sister Cake Shop, and High Five Mini Bar. Earlier this week, casual Vietnamese restaurant Pho Prime announced that it had claimed the space formerly occupied by The Pho Fix for a new location that will also open this fall.

news-you-can-eat openings stomping grounds barnaby's cafe