3 new downtown restaurants

Ben Berg bringing 3 new restaurants to 2 downtown office buildings

Houston’s Berg Hospitality Group is making a major push into downtown by developing two new restaurants for one office tower and taking over operations at two establishments in another. The moves will bring one of the company’s most popular brands to the downtown tunnels and introduce two new concepts at a theater district high-rise.

First, the company has partnered with Bill Floyd Concepts to manage its properties at Enterprise Plaza at 1100 Louisiana, the 55-story tower managed by global real estate development firm Hines. Per the agreement, Berg will replace the El Real Tex-Mex restaurant in the tunnels with B.B. Lemon, its New York-inspired burger joint and comfort food restaurant. In addition, Berg will begin operating Real Agave, the cocktail bar and lounge that Floyd opened in 2022.

Real Agave will continue to serve upscale Mexican fare and agave cocktails in its existing space on the building’s ground floor. Berg’s plans include upgrading the dinner menu and adding lunch service.

B.B. Lemon’s familiar green-and-yellow branding will soon replace El Real’s signage in the tunnels. Similarly, its menu of burgers, sandwiches, and salads will replace El Real’s Tex-Mex fare. As part of the rebrand, Berg will introduce breakfast service and add catering options for the adjacent offices.

Floyd is a Houston hospitality veteran who’s best known as the co-founder of Reef, the groundbreaking Midtown seafood restaurant that closed in 2019. More recently, he’s opened two locations of Porta’Vino, a BYOB restaurant with an Italian-inspired menu.

“It’s an honor to be entrusted with these two venues,” Berg Hospitality CEO Ben Berg said in a statement. “With Bill Floyd’s extensive experience managing 32 Houston restaurants, he has set a standard of excellence in the industry. We aim to honor his vision and do him proud downtown.”

The changes at 1100 Louisiana are only one part of Berg’s downtown projects with Hines. The company will also open two new restaurants at the Texas Tower, the developer’s 47-story office building on the site of the former Houston Chronicle building at 845 Texas Avenue.

First up will be The Sylvie, a French-inspired restaurant on the ground floor. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the restaurant will take significant inspiration from Annabelle Brasserie, Berg’s French restaurant in the Autry Park mixed-use development, with some touches from Trattoria Sofia, its Italian restaurant in the Heights, Ben Berg tells CultureMap. It is expected to open this summer.

In the morning, The Sylvie will have grab-and-go pastries and coffee for those heading upstairs to their offices along with dishes for those dining in. Lunch will feature salads, sandwiches, and pizzas. Dinner will feature both a full menu of entrees as well as cocktails and snacks designed for people going to performances in the theater district.

Following The Sylvie, Berg will debut Dune Road, its previously-announced New England-inspired seafood restaurant. The menu will center around New England favorites such as chowder (both clam and seafood), lobster bakes, fried clams, and lobster rolls.

New York-based ICRAVE will design both new restaurants. The Sylvie will feature a “whimsical, visually stunning environment,” according to a release, and seat 85 people. Dune Road will have a nautical look with polished metals, lacquered wood, and shiplap-inspired elements. It will feature a 56-seat, circular bar along with a 44-seat patio as part of a total capacity of over 200 people.

“The Sylvie marks the beginning of a dynamic partnership with Hines that will bring two unique restaurants to Downtown,” Berg added. “Together, we're set to elevate the culinary landscape and invigorate the vibrant heartbeat of our city that is Downtown."

Berg Hospitality has opened four new restaurants in less than a year — upscale Chinese restaurant Benny Chows; French-inspired Annabelle Brasserie; posh Italian restaurant Tavola; and, most recently, Prime 131, a live fire steakhouse in Timbergrove. In addition to its downtown projects, the company plans to open Turner's Cut, a luxurious steakhouse next to Annabelle Brasserie; Buttermilk Baby, a retro-inspired diner serving burgers, biscuits, and Carvel ice cream in the Heights M-K-T development; and a still unnamed fine dining restaurant in the former La Table space above Tavola.

Courtesy of Berg Hospitality

The Sylvie will be open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

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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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