SLGT

New vegetarian restaurant/coffee shop/art gallery brings community goodness tothe Third Ward

The India-inspired Mumbai Streets Panini was perfectly-pressed and delicious. Mypartner's Tuscan Red selection, with sundried tomatoes, goat cheese, mozarella,roasted red pepper and grilled onion, was similarly tasty.
Photo by Whitney Radley
Doshi maintained the integrity of the building, an 80-year-old structure on thecorner of Holman and Dowling.
Photo by Whitney Radley
A chalkboard behind the bar lists the coffee selections and a simple vegetarianmenu.
Photo by Whitney Radley

"Vegetarian Goodness," reads one sign outside the bright white, cheerfully-landscaped building. "Latte Serenity," promises another.

Despite those positive messages and my undeniable interest, timing and convenience prevented me from stopping in at Doshi House in the dozen or more times I had passed it.

On a fallish weekday, I made a special trip to stop by for lunch. Inside I met Deepak Doshi, the proprietor of the cafe-cum-art gallery, an enthusiastic guy with an easy smile and an off-kilter haircut.

The gallery was first formed in November 2010, and after a successful 10-month test run, Doshi resolved to transform the space into an eating establishment, which opened in April of this year.

"There's not anything like this over here," Doshi says, explaining his reason for opening the business on the cusp of the Third Ward and Midtown, just down the block from Project Row Houses.

A chalkboard behind the bar lists the simple vegetarian menu, which includes a handful of sandwiches and daily soup and dinner specials made using locally-sourced ingredients.

Doshi maintained the integrity of the building, an 80-year-old structure on the corner of Holman and Dowling that has served as a lawyer's office, a liquor store, a meat market and a medical supply shop throughout the years.

Now, as a restaurant, the inside is inviting — mismatched chairs and sofas are arranged in configurations for optimal dining and lounging, colorful paintings by local artists hang on the walls. The space hosts live music on the weekends, and Doshi tells CultureMap that he's planning for blues night on Mondays this fall.

A chalkboard behind the bar lists the simple vegetarian menu, which includes a handful of sandwiches (all $6.75) and daily soup and dinner specials made using locally-sourced ingredients (including pastries from Vegan Comfort, La Unica and Ashcraft), plus affordable juices and fresh smoothies (priced at $4.65).

The India-inspired Mumbai Streets Panini was perfectly-pressed, with a rich samosa filling complemented by tamarind chutney, sweet grilled onions and a spread of hummus, served with a side of banana chips and baby spinach. A simple but flavorful coconut Thai soup and a refreshing Grn Potion (juice from kale, cucumber, apple, pear and lemon) were delicious accompaniments.

I ordered a cortado to go, and Doshi pulled the espresso (roasted by locally-based Greenway Coffee Company) with ease as he told me about growing up in Los Angeles, living in Houston and working in the corporate setting. He created Doshi House as a sort of reprieve from that life, and it's difficult to imagine him anywhere else.

Doshi House is located at 3419 Dowling Street. It is open on Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m and closed on Sunday, and offers BYOB with a nominal corking fee.

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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.

news-you-can-eat openings honest mary's