CultureMap Exclusive

Critic beloved restaurant to transform, turn its bar into a destination spot never seen in Houston before

Houston diners may no longer have a Haven, but the city's cocktail lovers are about to get a new sanctuary.

At least, that’s the rumor raging among restaurant industry insiders. River Oaks restaurant Triniti is set to rebrand its bar with a new name: Sanctuari — several restaurant world sources tell CultureMap. The plan calls for the bar area and private dining room to be remodeled to permit more bar seating. A Triniti representative declined to comment on the rumors, but all indications are that the plan is definitely happening.

An Aviary-style collaboration between the Ladies of Libation and Triniti’s talented culinary team could produce something that hasn’t been seen in Houston before.

With Sanctuari, Triniti hopes to leverage the restaurant’s two high-profile bartenders, Laurie Sheddan and Leslie Ross, known collectively as the Ladies of Libation. If the plan is successful, it could help differentiate Triniti from restaurants like The Pass & Provisions, Coltivare and Pax Americana that also have ambitious cocktail programs.

Ross has recently raised her profile both locally and nationally through winning competitions. She represented Houston in the Shake It Up competition in March and finished in the top five nationally in the United States Bartender Guilds’s Most Imaginative Bartender Cocktail Competition.

Sheddan and Ross have already worked to make Triniti a cocktail destination by hosting a guest bartender series in the spring that raised money for the 86 Cancer charity. The effort brought in new patrons and earned positive press coverage.

What direction Sanctuari’s cocktails will take is unknown, but Ross recently completed a week-long stage at The Aviary, the Chicago bar connected to three star Michelin restaurant Alinea that's known for its inventive cocktails, custom glassware and generally just being a badass place to get a drink. An Aviary-style collaboration between the Ladies of Libation and Triniti’s talented culinary team could produce something that hasn’t been seen in Houston before.

If the buzz is true, maybe Sanctuari will be enough to lure Michelle Obama back for a return visit.

If the rumors are true, Leslie Ross, left, and Laurie Sheddan could be getting their own concept to showcase their skills.

Leslie Ross and Laurie Sheddan Ladies of Libation at Triniti

Photo courtesy of Triniti

If the rumors are true, Leslie Ross, left, and Laurie Sheddan could be getting their own concept to showcase their skills.

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there's the rub

Restaurant known for 'new Houston cuisine' now open in Cypress

Courtesy of Jonathan's the Rub

Jonathan's the Rub serves steaks and other dishes.

A restaurant known for its eclectic “new Houston cuisine” has opened in Cypress. The fourth location of Jonathan’s the Rub is now open for dinner in Bridgeland (20215 Bridgeland Creek Parkway).

First announced last year, the new Jonathan’s is located in Village Green, a 70-acre mixed-use development within the 925-acre Bridgeland Central district. The 5,500-square-foot restaurant includes two patios totaling 2,600 square feet, giving the restaurant plenty of room for private dining rooms, a bar area, and indoor-outdoor areas with fire pits and greenery.

“We were looking for the next frontier — a community with a booming population and a clear vision for growth that aligns with our brand,” chef-owner Jonathan Levine said in a statement. “When we discovered Bridgeland and learned it was a Howard Hughes development, we were immediately impressed. With their reputation for developing generational communities, we felt confident that Bridgeland was the right place for our family and for Jonathan’s the Rub.”

Like Jonathan’s three other locations, the menu at Bridgeland is built around Levine’s signature “new Houston cuisine,” a kicked-up take on comfort food that includes everything from lobster tacos and blackened shrimp and grits to Italian American classics and steakhouse fare.

Village Green is also home to H-E-B and restaurants such as Sweet Paris Crêperie & Café and Crust Pizza Co. Austin-based burger joint P. Terry’s will open there next year.

“Jonathan’s the Rub’s arrival in Bridgeland Central brings a distinguished addition to the culinary scene in both the community and northwest Houston,” said Jim Carman, president of the Texas region, for Bridgeland developer Howard Hughes Communities. “We’re proud to partner with exceptional restaurateurs like Chef Jonathan Levine to bring elevated dining experiences that enhance the lifestyle offerings for our residents and neighbors.”

Courtesy of Jonathan's the Rub

Jonathan's the Rub serves steaks and other dishes.

CultureMap Exclusive

Critic beloved restaurant to transform, turn its bar into a destination spot never seen in Houston before

If the rumors are true, Leslie Ross, left, and Laurie Sheddan could be getting their own concept to showcase their skills.

there's the rub

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