they have the meats

Hot new Korean steakhouse sizzles in the Heights with tableside-grilled meats and classic fare

Houston’s newest Korean steakhouse has opened in the Heights. Karne began its soft opening this week ahead of its grand opening November 11.

Located in a recently constructed building at 2805 White Oak Dr., Karne is the latest project from Houston restaurateur Jason Cho. Known for his Korean fried chicken restaurant Dak & Bop and as the franchisee for the Galleria-area location of Korean coffee shop Tom N Toms, Cho partnered with chef Yurum “KP” Nam to open Karne. Nam brings extensive experience to his role, including acclaimed restaurants The Modern and Gramercy Tavern, as well as Zusik, a Korean restaurant he owned in the West Village.

“My culinary training has prepared me with French, Italian, American techniques,” Nam said in a statement. “I use that to create very simple, straightforward Korean food.”

At Karne, that "straightforward Korean food" centers around beef. Fittingly for a steakhouse, Karne serves several different cuts and grades of meat, ranging from traditional Korean marinated meats to Prime beef, dry-aged, American wagyu, and Japanese wagyu. They’re grilled tableside by the restaurant’s staff.

Diners may order a la carte — by selecting options such as marinated short rib, dry-aged ribeye, or American wagyu flat iron — or opt for the “Karnivore Platter” that comes with five different cuts, kimchi, soup, dipping sauces, and more. Eventually, the restaurant will offer a more premium chef’s tasting menu that will be served in one of the restaurant’s private dining rooms. Beyond beef, the restaurant puts a Korean spin on steakhouse classics with dishes such as hot and cold seafood towers, beef carpaccio, and tuna tartare. Classic Korean dishes such as Korean fried chicken, kimchi fried rice, and hot stone bibimbap are also available.

Pairing options include a range of craft cocktails and a list of 173 wines.

Well-traveled customers may recognize that the menu’s style and presentation bears a certain resemblance to Cote, the upscale Korean steakhouse that has earned one Michelin star in both New York and Miami. For example, Karne serves a dish called Land & Sea, a combination of beef tartare, caviar, and quail egg, that’s similar to Cote’s “Steak & Eggs.” The “Karnivore Platter” is similar in its offerings to Cote’s “Butcher’s Feast.”

A representative acknowledges that Cho and Nam aspire to achieve Cote’s level of success, but states plainly that its menu is “influenced by tastes from Korea, Texas and New York.”

“Our dishes are unique because chef KP is pouring in all of his knowledge and culinary skills into creating a curated menu for fine Korean cuisine,” Cho said in a statement. “The taste, flavor, and presentation of the dishes bring an elevated experience.”

Karne will also get a boost via its partnership with Youtube star Mike Chen. The content creator has more than 4 million subscribers to his Strictly Dumpling channel and more than 1.5 million subscribes to his Mike Chen channel. Viewers got a sneak peak at Karne’s interior in a clip Chen posted last year that’s garnered 1 million views. Although Chen is currently living in Singapore, Cho acknowledges that he’ll be filming videos from the restaurant in the months to come.

Photo by Jenn Duncan

Sample a wide range of beef at Karne.

openings the-heights news-you-can-eat

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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