Food for Thought

Restaurant chefs give the greatest holiday gifts, like......

Pastry princess Vanessa O’Donnell of Ooh La La Dessert Boutique has beenwhipping up dozens of her adorable Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer cupcakes asgifts.
Photo by Kimberly Park
Chef Ara Malekian, owner of Aracan Catering and chef at the upcoming VolarePizzeria, is giving homemade white truffle oil, as well as wasabi olive oil madefrom fresh wasabi root. Yum.
Photo by Kimberly Park
Hawthorn chef Riccardo Palazzo-Giorgio is gifting his roasted carrot vinaigrettethat he uses on his beet salad.
Photo by Kimberly Park
“For close friends, I often give gift certificates for a dinner party,” saysDamian’s executive chef Napoleon Palacios.
Photo courtesy of Studio Communications
“I like to make culinary baskets,” says Marcus Leal, R&D chef with Luby’s.
Photo courtesy of Studio Communications

The holidays are a busy time for commercial chefs, what with restaurants booked for holiday parties and planning special menus for Christmas and New Year’s Eves and people eating out more because they’re just too busy to cook.

But that doesn’t mean they don’t have time to shop. And if you’re on their list, you may be in store from some pretty cool gifts.

“If I know people are foodies I might give them copper pots or something for the kitchen,” says chef Olivier Ciesielski.

“Gifts don’t have to be expensive. Maybe a small kitchen gadget that I love, maybe port glasses or a wine decanter. And I plan six months out for my shopping.”

We chatted recently over lunch at his L’Olivier, munching on divine Burgundy-style escargot in parsley-garlic sauce and a beautiful grilled branzino plated whole with his mouth open. We wanted to stick a cigarette in its mouth and put a tiny little beret atop its head.

But I digress.

So how does this French chef find the time top do his holiday shopping?

“Running a restaurant I have the connections about where to buy,” Ciesielski says. “Gifts don’t have to be expensive. Maybe a small kitchen gadget that I love, maybe port glasses or a wine decanter. And I plan six months out for my shopping.”

Clearly the French people are more organized than I.

Tasty treats

Executive chef Peter Laufer at Royal Sonesta Hotel also likes to give professional kitchen tools — knives, cutting bards and other gadgets. But if you’re on his list, you might get some tasty treats, too.

“Seasoning blends and my Signature barbeque sauce,” he says. “And when attending a party usually I take over the kitchen when I see the host is on overload. Best gift ever!”

He is so on the invite list to my holiday party!

“And when attending a party usually I take over the kitchen when I see the host is on overload. Best gift ever!”

Hawthorn chef Riccardo Palazzo-Giorgio is gifting his roasted carrot vinaigrette that he uses on his beet salad on the suggestion of Alison Cook who says it is “so ingenious I wish the chef would bottle it for sale.” I bet I know what she’s getting under the tree.

Pastry princess Vanessa O’Donnell of Ooh La La Dessert Boutique has been whipping up dozens of her adorable Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer cupcakes as gifts for locals and ordering Big Mouth Bites (caramel and peanut butter Rice Krispies treats dipped in chocolate) from the website Zan Confections.

And chef Ara Malekian, owner of Aracan Catering and chef at the upcoming Volare Pizzeria, is giving homemade white truffle oil, as well as wasabi olive oil made from fresh wasabi root. Yum.

“I like to make culinary baskets,” says Marcus Leal, R&D chef with Luby’s. “They typically include the recipient’s favorite beer or wine, homemade smoked salt seasoning, homemade BBQ rub or blacken spice and either some homemade bread loafs or homemade jams or preserves.”

Best gift

But the best holiday gift you could possibly get from a chef?

“For close friends, I often give gift certificates for a dinner party,” says Damian’s executive chef Napoleon Palacios. “They can invite up to six people, and I do all of the cooking, the serving, and most importantly, the dishes!”

Now that’s a present I could enjoy! (Hint, hint.)

Don’t forget to ask him for some of his homemade Italian cookies like the Cuciadatis (fig cookies), Giuggiulenas (shortbread rolled in sesame seeds) and Pignolatis (pine nut cookies).

‘Cause you can never have enough cookies at Christmas time.

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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