the spirit of camaraderie

New Houston hotspot debuts with a seasonal spin on prix-fixe dining

One of this year’s most eagerly anticipated new restaurants will soon open its doors. The countdown is on for Camaraderie, which will begin dinner service on Wednesday, March 26.

Located in the Heights at 608 W. 11th St., Camaraderie is the first project from chef Shawn Gawle. Best known locally as the executive pastry chef for Goodnight Hospitality — where he won Pastry Chef of the Year in the 2023 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards — Gawle played a significant role at Michelin-starred restaurants such as L20 in Chicago, Veritas in New York City, and Saison in San Francisco.

Diners at Camaraderie have two options for their meals. In the main dining room, they’ll be served a three-course, $75 prix-fixe menu, which includes shared starters, an individual entree, and dessert. Alternatively, diners may choose to sit in either the lounge or on the patio, which will serve a concise, à la carte menu of shareable plates and entrees.

On the opening menu, the shared starters on the prix-fixe menu include salt-baked celery root, asparagus sformato (an Italian-style savory flan), and dauphiné ravioli. Diners will then choose an entree of halibut, veal osso bucco, lion’s mane mushrooms, or Dover sole en croûte for two that's served with housemade bread.

The à la carte menu begins with “snacks” such as nduja rolls, manchego cheese curls, and tarte flambée. The “More Substantial” section includes a socca niçoise (a French chickpea pancake), tuna crudo, carrot cavatelli pasta, and hanger steak with pommes dauphine.

“Our menu is all about celebrating the bounty of American agriculture while respecting the artistry and technique of French culinary tradition,” Gawle said in a statement. This ethos is reflected in the techniques used to prepare the menu’s dishes. For example, the carrot cavatelli uses carrot juice instead of water to make the pasta and minimize waste by using the carrot tops for pesto. The Dover sole is wrapped in laminated puff pastry that’s shaped like a fish with scales.

Joining Gawle at Camaraderie are general manager/wine director Gillian Malone and bar manager Kristine Nguyen. Both bring extensive experience to their roles, with Malone having worked with Gawle at March and Nguyen having worked at both Nancy’s Hustle and Bad News Bar, where she won Bartender of the Year in the 2023 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards.

Camaraderie’s wine list includes both American and European selections, with several half-bottle options available. Nguyen’s cocktail offerings includes on-trend “mini” versions of classics, a few non-alcoholic options, and larger cocktails designed to be shared.

Reservations are recommended for the main dining room, while the lounge and patio will be open for walk-in diners with some reservations available. Camaraderie will be open Wednesday through Sunday beginning at 5 pm.

Photo by Arturo Olmos

Dover Sole en Croute will serve two people.

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Bungalow, refreshed

Houston restaurant relocates to historic downtown spot, adds veteran chef

Michael Anthony

Bungalow Dining has relocated in downtown Houston.

A downtown restaurant has moved — two blocks down the street. Bungalow Dining has opened the doors to its new address at The Rice apartment building (909 Texas Avenue), three months after closing its original location at 407 Main Street.

Now in the space that was formerly occupied by Sambuca, an Italian restaurant that closed in 2024, Bungalow has undergone a transformation, with new menu items and three private dining rooms. Founded in 2022 by ALife Hospitality, the previous iteration of Bungalow Dining featured white and black marble, gold accents, and mirrors. Now, the interior features rich and natural tones with distinctive light fixtures that create a romantic atmosphere.

“This move represents the evolution of Bungalow and what we believe the brand can become,” co-owner JR Martins said in a statement. “We had an opportunity to create a space that builds on what our guests already loved about Bungalow while giving us more ways to serve them. From the new menu and private dining rooms to the patio and bar, we were very intentional about creating a restaurant that feels like the next chapter of Bungalow.”

The three private dining spaces accommodate 20, 25, and 30 patrons respectively, and are scattered throughout the first and second floor, with one overlooking the main dining room below.

Executive chef Mark Holley leads the kitchen, bringing decades of experience along with new dishes that are meant to introduce “a new culinary direction for the restaurant,” according to a release. Holley is known for his time at a number of notable Houston restaurants, including Pesce, Holley's, and Davis St.

The menu combines global and Gulf Coast influences with classic steakhouse items. Diners can start their meals with appetizers such as a snapper crudo with coconut milk leche and Scotch bonnet oil or jerk wagyu meatballs with honey barbecue sauce. For entrees, options include halibut with crabmeat and orzo, a 48-hour oxtail ragu, and a 32-ounce tableside tomahawk. To finish, there’s New Orleans-style praline cheesecake and lemon buttermilk chess pie.

“We want Bungalow to be a place that can be part of so many different occasions,” co-owner Jonathan Reitzell said. “You can come in for cocktails, have dinner, celebrate a birthday, host a private dinner, or spend an evening on the patio. This new location gives us the ability to create those different experiences under one roof, and we’re excited for Houston to see what we’ve been working on.”

Bungalow Dining is located at 909 Texas Avenue and is open from 4-11 pm, Sunday through Thursday, and 4 pm to midnight, Friday and Saturday.

Michael Anthony

Bungalow Dining has relocated in downtown Houston.

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