Market Watch

Houston celebrity chef teases future of highly anticipated farmers market

The work is going on to transform the Houston Farmers Market.

Courtesy of MLB Capital Partners

Plans are still underway to transform the Houston Farmers Market. Announced last year by MLB Capital Partners, the process will convert the currently shabby facility, better known as the Canino’s market after its largest vendor, into a “destination retail experience offering more diversified products, renovated facilities and community programming.”

Other than an animation that showed more detail about the plans, the project has been mostly quiet, with little word from MLB about when construction might begin. However, that doesn’t mean things aren’t happening behind the scenes. Chris Shepherd, chef-owner of Underbelly Hospitality (UB Preserv, Georgia James, etc.), and his business partner Kevin Floyd are consulting on the project. They’ll be helping select vendors and working on the overall layout of the 18-acre tract on Airline just south of 610.

Floyd recently told the Houston Business Journal that he and Shepherd have two projects lined up for 2019 and 2020 but didn’t offer any details.

“Now when people call me asking if I want to look at a piece of real estate, I tell them, 'Sure, if you're cool with me doing 2021. If you're not, I don't want to talk to you because I'm never going to do two major projects in a year again,’” Floyd said.

When CultureMap interviewed Shepherd about the opening of his new steakhouse Georgia James, we asked Shepherd what he and Floyd are working on for the next two years. The James Beard Award winner revealed that his role at the market will have his attention in the coming months.

“We’re working on the market. That’s going to consume a lot of time,” Shepherd says. “That’s the projects I’m looking at right now. I want to make sure the market is the best it can be. That’s going to take up a lot of my time in the next couple years.”

Currently, the project is still in the design phase. The owners are assessing what the various need and space requirements are for the type of tenants they hope to attract. Eventually, they’ll start soliciting proposals. Once that happens, things should move more quickly.

“I think there’s a lot of opportunity for really cool things to happen there as far as what vendors go in, trying to get actual farmers in there, too,” Shepherd says. “I need a seafood guy and a meat guy [and others] to be a sustainable market. It’s just having conversations and seeing how we go.”

From the chef’s perspective, the biggest problem isn’t that process appears to be moving slowly from an outsider’s perspective. It’s that he has to attend so many meetings.

“Eric, I fucking hate meetings,” Shepherd says. “If I can’t get it done in 10 minutes, I’m pretty much fading. It’s just my lifestyle. Let’s cut this real quick and we’ll go.”

Whether he likes it or not, the meetings will go on. Eventually, more news will come on the market’s transformation. For now, just know the people who are responsible for the transformation are putting in the time to make sure it's done right.

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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.

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