Favorite Houston chocolate shop returns with new name, locale, and sweet, spirited pairings

One of Houston’s favorite chocolatiers has returned with a new name, a new location, and a new look. Winfield’s Chocolate Bar is now open at 2411 West Alabama St. in The Centre at River Oaks.

As it name suggests, Winfield’s represents the next evolution of The Chocolate Bar, the venerable Houston sweet shop that closed its West Alabama location last year. To avoid any confusion, the Chocolate Bar’s Rice Village location will continue operating with its original name.

Located less than a mile from the Montrose-area shop, the new Winfield’s Chocolate Bar offers all the familiar favorites: sky high layer cakes, ice cream, chocolate bars and bonbons, and the signature chocolate-dipped strawberries. New offerings include an expanded coffee program and the ability to pair a dessert with wine, champagne, or port.

Since acquiring the Chocolate Shop from its founders, president Molly Voorhees has implemented a number of small changes that have improved its offerings and boosted the shop’s sales. They include using higher-quality strawberries for dipped items and sourcing better chocolate for the signature truffles.

“We are thrilled to unveil the new Winfield’s Chocolate Bar in Houston,” said Voorhees, who is also the president of Becks Prime and a co-owner of Agnes Café & Provisions. “Along with creative input from our customers and partners, we have playfully reimagined the overall look and personality of the brand with a few additions that we hope visitors will enjoy.”

That reimagining centers around the new name, which is a nod to Voorhees’ father, Becks Prime co-founder Win Campbell, and his great-uncle Winfield, who owned a bakery during the Great Depression. Rebranding the concept as "Winfield's" ties it into the family’s history and gives the shop a unique name that could lead to the opening of more locations in other parts of Houston.

Created by Sean Garrison and Levi Lemaster of Garrison Design Office, the design features comical artwork and vintage accents. Inside, diners will find 44-foot display case containing cakes, cookies, chocolate-dipped items, and other creations by executive pastry chef Grace Lapsys. Both indoor and outdoor seating are available.

Photo by Becca Wright

Winfield's Chocolate Bar is now open.

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hello, henry

'Greatest Neighborhood Restaurant' to open first Houston location

Courtesy of The Henry

The Henry serves a large menu of globally-inspired fare.

An establishment that touts itself as “the greatest neighborhood restaurant” will soon open its first location. The Henry will open its doors on Wednesday, November 12.

Located in Town & Country Village (700 Town & Country Blvd.), The Henry occupies an almost 7,000-square-foot space that includes a 1,700-square-foot patio. It comes to Houston from Arizona-based Fox Restaurant Concepts, which also operates four Houston-area locations of healthy eating restaurant Flower Child and the Galleria location of Mexican-inspired Blanco. A second location of The Henry is scheduled to open next year in the Central Park Post Oak development.

“Houston is a vibrant city with a flourishing culinary scene, making it the perfect place for The Henry," Fox executive Anita Walker said in a statement. "As the Town & Country Village continues to grow and thrive, we're excited to welcome the local community to relax, dine and feel at home in our neighborhood restaurant."

Open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus weekend brunch, The Henry has a wide-ranging menu that runs the gamut from breakfast burritos and avocado toast in the morning to salads and sandwiches at lunch and a number of seafood and steak options for dinner. Fan favorites include smoked salmon bagel, Flower Child scramble, short rib potstickers, roasted turkey French dip, Korean Prime skirt steak, and the ever-popular rigatoni alla vodka.

The beverage program is similarly extensive. It starts with coffee, espresso, tea, and smoothies in the morning. Lunch and dinner feature wine, beer, and classic cocktails, as well as non-alcoholic options.

With the opening still almost a month away, The Henry is still looking to hire additional staff. Candidates are welcome to walk-in for an interview.

The Henry will open daily at 8 am. See website for more details.

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