return of the cap

Elegant supper club and upscale dining restaurant tunes up big comeback in Briargrove

A Houston restaurant and bar devoted to live music begins its comeback this weekend. Caps Supperclub & Bar opens this Friday, June 9.

Located in the Briargrove neighborhood at 2610 Briar Ridge, Caps Supperclub (styled CAPS in press materials) is a reimagining of Caps Piano Bar, which operated at that location for almost 40 years until it closed in 2021. Dr. Venkata Diddi saw an opportunity to preserve the space’s intimacy while adding a full food menu and upgrading the interior.

“I immediately recognized the potential. Not only is it a great location in Houston, it’s also a concept that any customer at any age enjoys — a sophisticated spot with delicious food and entertainment,” Diddi said in a statement. “We are not a dueling piano bar or a jazz lounge, but an upscale dining establishment with great live music Tuesday through Sunday. And I think that’s rare to find in Houston.”

To create that delicious food, Diddi retained consulting chef Omar Pereney of Culinary Concepts. He created a familiar menu built around shareables (deviled eggs, calamari, a cheese board, and more), raw dishes such as caviar and oysters, and steaks. Other entree options include a burger, pastas, and seafood items, all of which can be paired with sides such as creamed spinach mac and cheese, roasted root vegetables, and parmesan truffle fries.

“The dishes we will serve will only hold three or four components, but they make each other stronger,” Pereney said. “Our menu will be constantly evolving, and though there isn’t one flavor or ingredient that inspires it, seafood will be a main theme carried throughout.”

The Tighten Up Band will take the stage nightly. Carl Davis, Gale Evans, Travis Doyle and Cleveland “Moose” Hendricks have performed together for more than 20 years, according to a release, in a refreshed dining room that seats 94 people.

"We're thrilled to be back at Caps, and can't wait to create new memories with our loyal fans and provide an unforgettable experience for all who walk through the doors," Davis added.

Caps will be open Tuesday-Sunday beginning at 4 pm.

Photo by Laziza Mukhamedova

Caps Supperclub offers an intimate environment.

Saint Arnold's new chef

Houston’s oldest craft brewery taps new chef for its buzzy beer garden and restaurant

Courtesy of Saint Arnold

Chase Reid is Saint Arnold's new executive chef.

Houston’s oldest craft brewery has found a new chef to lead its popular restaurant. Chase Reid is now the executive chef at Saint Arnold Brewing Company’s beer garden and restaurant.

Hired a couple of months ago, Reid replaces chef Ryan Savoie, who had been with the brewery since 2013. A French-trained chef, Reid came to Saint Arnold’s attention after well-regarded stints at Hop Scholar Ale House in Spring and the Historic Hill House and Farm in Willis.

“I’m thrilled to join the talented team at Saint Arnold and build on the legacy they’ve created in Texas,” Reid said in a statement. “I love the creativity that comes with cooking and have always been passionate about craft beer. I’m very much looking forward to combining the two.”

Recent visitors to Saint Arnold have gotten a first taste of the chef’s work with pizza specials and new additions such as a house made bratwurst burger. He’s also the culinary mind behind Saint Arnold’s recent Doughnut Sunday offerings that pair freshly fried treats with different beers from the company’s portfolio on the firs Sunday of every month. Overall, he’s focused on maintaining the quality and consistency that has been the restaurant’s hallmark since it opened in 2018.

Reid will more formally introduce himself to the brewery’s fans at the upcoming Great Pumpkin Beer Dinner. Held on Halloween night, the meal will feature a five-course menu paired with seasonal and limited release beers, including 2013 Pumpkinator, 2023 Pumpkinator, and 2020 bourbon barrel-aged Pumpkinator with cocoa nibs. See the full menu and purchase tickets ($125) on the Saint Arnold website.

“Chase’s enthusiasm for both food and beer got all of us excited to have him joining our team,” Saint Arnold founder Brock Wagner added. “Our Beer Garden & Restaurant is a welcoming place to enjoy our world class beers. We have the same standards for our food as we do for our beer and are always working to elevate and create an experience that will keep our guests coming back again and again.”

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