Chef on the move

Acclaimed Houston chef suddenly departs bustling Washington Avenue restaurant

Ryan Hildebrand has left FM Kitchen.

Photo by Eric Sandler

A talented Houston chef is the culinary world’s newest free agent. Ryan Hildebrand announced on Facebook that he’s resigned his position as chef-partner of FM Kitchen & Bar.

Hildebrand opened FM Kitchen in 2017 as the follow-up to Triniti, his fine dining restaurant that closed shortly after Super Bowl LI. Built around a great cheeseburger and other comfort food dishes, FM Kitchen quickly became a hit. The restaurant announced earlier this year that it would open a second location in Montrose.

Although it has developed an audience, Hildebrand tells CultureMap that his partnership in the restaurant had become “untenable.” He’s leaving now in order to give FM time to find a replacement before the new location opens next year.

“I need to focus on doing what I love to do and what I started all this for, and that’s to be a chef and to enjoy my craft again and take care of my family,” he says.

“My family really enjoys my craft. My girls have come up through it, through Triniti and through FM. Cooking is something we do together, and I need to get back to some of my grass roots of why I started doing this in the first place.”

Getting back to his roots doesn’t necessarily mean getting back to fine dining, Hildebrand adds, although he does think it will lead him to another restaurant. The chef cites the experience of cooking in his backyard with his daughters.

“Triniti was very artistic. FM was down the middle,” he says.” I want to get back to being tactile and touching and feeling what I do and creating things that are from the heart.“

Meanwhile, FM Kitchen will move forward without Hildebrand overseeing the kitchen. The restaurant provided the following statement in response to CultureMap’s request for comment.

“We are really grateful for chef Hildebrand's time with FM Kitchen and Bar. His leadership has been invaluable during the launch and throughout our first two years.”

chefs

steakhouse switcheroo

River Oaks restaurant fields a new menu devoted to prime and wagyu steaks

Courtesy of Fielding's Steak

The new menu includes steak and sides such as onion rings.

A River Oaks restaurant is switching things up. After a year of operations, Fielding’s River Oaks has rebranded as Fielding’s Steak with an all-new menu that will launch on Tuesday, January 27.

While the restaurant has always served steaks from Texas ranch 44 Farms, Fielding’s Steak leans more heavily into beef with more cuts and more kinds of beefs, including both American and Japanese wagyu. Similarly, diners can pair their steaks with steakhouse sides such as lobster mac and cheese, creamed spinach, and onion rings.

The new menu starts with four prime steaks — filet, ribeye, NY strip, and bavette — along with a dry-aged cuts including a 35-ounce cowboy ribeye, a porterhouse, a 12-ounce bone-in ribeye, and a 22-ounce bone-in ribeye. Those seeking the most luxurious experience may opt for a wagyu tasting that features four ounces each of Japanese, Australian, and American striploin.

Appetizers and salads include a number of familiar dishes, such as lobster bisque, wedge salad, fried calamari, shrimp cocktail, and an imperial crabcake. Non-steak entrees include maple-brined salmon, lobster risotto, lamb chops, and a grilled Kurobata pork chop with apple mostarda.

Fielding’s River Oaks opened in December 2024. Part of Fielding’s Culinary Group, The Woodlands-based hospitality company behind Fielding’s Local Kitchen & Bar and Fielding’s Wood Grill, the restaurant served a European-inspired menu that included pizzas, pastas, steaks, and seafood.

“Fielding’s Steak represents the natural evolution of who we are and where we’re going,” said CEO Cary Attar said in a statement. “We wanted to create a true steakhouse experience — one that’s chef-driven, ingredient-focused, and worthy of the River Oaks dining scene — while still feeling warm, welcoming, and unmistakably Fielding’s. This new menu allows us to showcase exceptional proteins, refined flavors, and a level of execution that reflects our passion for hospitality and culinary excellence.”

Fielding’s Steak will be open Tuesday through Sunday for lunch from 11:30 am-3 pm and dinner beginning at 5 pm. Reservations are available on OpenTable.

news-you-can-eat