Oxheart closes in March

Justin Yu explains why he's closing Houston's best restaurant and what's next

Oxheart Restaurant interior diners kitchen

Oxheart will close March 17.

Photo by © Julie Soefer/Greater Houston Visitors and Convention Bureau

One of Houston's best restaurants announced on Friday that it will close in March. Not because it isn't popular, vibrant, or dynamic — the time had come for a change.

James Beard Award winner Justin Yu revealed in a blog post that he will close Oxheart on March 17, which is the restaurant's fifth anniversary. "Oddly enough, the decision wasn’t too hard to make," the chef writes.

"I want to be ahead of our own curve. I know regardless of what previous successes we’ve had, we can’t sit here and expect success with the same formula," he writes. Later, he adds, "Oxheart has changed; and, importantly, I have new goals and challenges I’d like to take on. So, as lucky as we’ve been to have survived more than the first 6 months of opening, I want to make a change."

Currently, Oxheart serves two different six-course tasting menus using rigorously-sourced local ingredients: one all vegetarian and one that includes a couple of meat dishes. In its place, Yu will open a new, still unnamed restaurant next May. Longtime sous chef Jason White will serve as chef de cuisine, which, as Yu notes, means he needs to "finally get over myself and trust someone else to run the kitchen."

The new restaurant will have a new name, new decor, and a new menu style. Yes, that's correct, the new restaurant won't serve a tasting menu.

In the blog post, Yu compares the work he and his business partner Karen Man put into opening Oxheart to decorating a college dorm room. Renovations to the space will make the new restaurant more efficient for its staff and more comfortable for its diners.

"This time I know what kind of stupid stuff I'm getting into," Yu writes in a text message. "Well, I think I know what I'm getting myself into." He describes the new restaurant's food as "more approachable without being any less ambitious" than what he's served at Oxheart.

Switching things up also will allow Yu to divide his time between the new project he's opening on Yale St. with Anvil owner Bobby Heugel, Public Services, the wine and whisky bar he co-owns with Oxheart sommelier Justin Vann, and Oxheart's replacement. Currently, he expects to spend his mornings in The Heights and his evenings downtown.

Since opening in 2012, Oxheart has emerged as one of Houston's highest profile restaurants. Yu has earned both a coveted Food & Wine Best New Chef award and the prestigious James Beard Award for Best Chef: Southwest for his work there. The restaurant has held the top spot on Chronicle critic Alison Cook's list of Houston's top 100 restaurants four out of the last five years. National writers including then New York Times critic Frank Bruni, Eater critic Bill Addison, and Washington Post critic Tom Sietsema have all praised it.

Whatever Oxheart becomes, one thing's for sure. Beginning March 18, the title of Houston's best restaurant will be up for grabs. Seeing who steps up to claim the title will be worth watching.

closings chefs the-heights

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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