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    my heart will go on

    New high-energy River Oaks restaurant serves up Middle East coastal vibes, belly dancers, and diverse dishes

    Eric Sandler
    May 4, 2023 | 6:03 pm

    Houston’s next high-energy restaurant has opened in River Oaks. Albi offers a modern perspective on Mediterranean food in a stylish environment.

    Located about the Men’s Warehouse at 1947 West Gray St., Albi — Arabic for “heart” — unites Mary’z Mediterranean Cuisine owners Nano and Jimy Fakhoury with local businessman Aladdin Nimri. The trio worked with Ciel architect Adel Sadek to create a posh, 6,600-square-foot space that feature chandeliers, red silk shade lamps, red and black banquettes, and and marble accents. A 40-person private dining room and 16-seat bar complement the expansive main dining.

    Albi’s kitchen staff has adopted a similarly over-the-top approach. Legendary Houston chef Mark Cox (Mark’s American Cuisine) consulted on the menu, which will be executed day-to-day by executive chef Christian Hernandez, formerly the chef de cuisine at Houston fine dining restaurant March. Together, they’ve taken inspiration from Eastern Mediterranean countries like Turkey and Lebanon to create dishes that utilize Texas beef and lamb, seasonal produce, and Gulf Coast seafood.

    Highlights from the menu — which is divided into three salads, seven cold mezza plates, 10 hot mezza plates and five entrees — include feta dumplings with citrus labneh, bluefin tuna tartare, king trumpet mushroom shwarma, and a Texas wagyu ribeye. Vegetarians will find options such salt-roasted beets, hummus, and za’atar-spiced cheese.

    Beverage options start with wines from the region, many of which are priced between $60 and $120. Former Musaafer bartender Souvik Dasgupta consulted on a Middle Eastern-inspired cocktail menu that includes a Turkish coffee martini and a baklava Old Fashioned.

    Similar to recently opened restaurants such as Ciel and Se7en, customers will dine in a lively atmosphere that features performances by singers, musicians, and belly dancers.

    “We look forward to creating something very special for Houstonians – an ambience that evokes a very distinctive vibe of the ‘Levant’ area of the Middle East, which refers to the region along the eastern Mediterranean shores, a vibe we feel will resonate beautifully in this relaxed but buzzy corridor,” Nano Fakhoury said in a statement. “We can’t wait to bring exceptional service, phenomenal food, and a modern, energetic atmosphere to the neighborhood.”

    Albi will be open for dinner Tuesday-Saturday beginning at 5 pm. Reservations are available via the Resy app.

    Albi restaurant food spread

    Photo by Michael Anthony

    The menu offers a modern take on Mediterranean fare.

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    drew be goode

    New pitmaster brings top 50 cred to historic Houston barbecue joint

    Eric Sandler
    Aug 21, 2026 | 10:30 am
    Goode Co Barbecue Drew Lindsey pitmaster
    Photo by Brian Kennedy
    Drew Lindsey is Goode Co.'s new multi-unit pitmaster.

    One of Houston’s oldest barbecue joints has brought in fresh talent to oversee its operations. Drew Lindsey is the new Multi-Unit Pitmaster for Goode Co. Barbeque.

    Lindsey brings an impressive resume to his role. His career began at the Austin location of Michelin-recommended Terry Black’s Barbecue and also includes stops at Hurtado Barbecue (Arlington) and Dayne’s Craft Barbecue, the Fort Worth-area restaurant ranked No. 7 on Texas Monthly’s 2025 list of the state’s 50 best barbecue joints. Now, he’s responsible for ensuring consistency across Goode Co. Barbecue’s three locations and developing new menu items.

    Still, Lindsey’s role isn’t to rock the boat. Instead, he tells CultureMap he’s simply looking to refine what the restaurant has been doing since 1977.

    “I was drawn to Goode Co because of its rich history, the deep roots that Jim Goode planted in the Houston area back in 1977,” Lindsey says. “Being able to contribute to that legacy while continuing to grow as a pitmaster and leader was an opportunity that really stood out for me. It’s about projecting the craft and developing people, making sure that no matter which location a guest visits they receive the great quality barbecue that Goode Co. represents.”

    He notes that one way Goode Co.’s brisket is different from places he’s worked previously is its seasonings, which adds a few more ingredients to the familiar mix of salt and pepper that’s the standard in Central Texas-style barbecue.

    “The way that I would describe it is Southeast Texas barbecue with a little bit of Texicana, like Mexico-style barbecue.” Later, he adds, “I like that there’s a little more flavor in the rub itself for brisket.”

    Another of Lindsey’s roles is developing new menu items and tweaking some of the restaurant’s existing dishes. For example, Goode Co.’s pork ribs are now finished with an agave glaze.

    “One thing I’ve been working on a is a tequila-lime glaze pork belly burnt end,” he says. “They’re seasoned with black pepper and Mexican seasoned salt then dunked into a tequila lime glaze — nice, thick, one inch cube of pork belly.”

    Diners will find these and other items on a bi-weekly features menu that’s served every Thursday through Sunday. Available from open until sold out, the current menu includes pulled pork, jalapeno-cheddar sausage link, and green chile pimento cheese dip with Ritz firecrackers.

    Lindsey says he’s still getting to know Houston’s barbecue scene. So far, he’s tried Tejas Chocolate + Barbecue in Tomball and Truth BBQ, but he has plans to sample more broadly.

    “Khoi Barbecue is one I want to try. I love the fusion of Asian cuisine with Central Texas-style barbecue,” he says.

    Goode Co Barbecue Drew Lindsey pitmaster

    Photo by Brian Kennedy

    Drew Lindsey is Goode Co.'s new multi-unit pitmaster.

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