The busy fall restaurant opening season takes another step forward with a new restaurant devoted to classic American fare. Hudson House will open Wednesday, November 1 in the River Oaks Shopping Center next to Brasserie 19 (1966 W Gray St.).

Courtesy of Vandelay Hospitality Group

East Coast oysters are flown in fresh daily.

Operated by Dallas’s Vandelay Hospitality Group, Hudson House takes its inspiration from East Coast neighborhood restaurants, particularly those in New York’s West Village. The menu focuses on East Coast-inspired dishes paired with classic cocktails.

“Hudson House has a special place in my heart. It’s where I had my second date with my now wife,” Vandelay chief marketing officer Patrick Hallberg tells CultureMap. “It’s a warm, buzzy, cozy place.”

To help give people the proper warm, cozy feelings, the restaurant’s design features lots of natural light, navy leather booths, brass light fixtures, and on-trend greenery throughout the dining room.

“It takes a lot of inspiration from neighborhood joints in the West Village of New York,” Hallberg adds. “I describe it as having a casual elegance.”

Once seated, diners may choose from options such as a cheeseburger, lobster roll, lobster mac and cheese, steak frites, and chicken parm. Raw bar offerings include East Coast oysters, shrimp cocktail, and sushi rolls. The brunch menu features selections such as pancakes, eggs Benedict, and a bagel with lox and cream cheese.

“The fan favorite is the cheeseburger,” Hallberg says. It’s a special combination of the softness of the bun and the meat-to-cheese-to-bread ratio. We have our Hudson House sauce with some special secret ingredients, and it comes with a beautiful half slice of a pickle.”

Hudson House pairs its dishes with a selection of classic cocktails that is highlighted by the “World’s Coldest Martini.” To achieve the proper effect, the drink is vigorously shaken and served in a frozen glass. Other martini options include the Bleu & Gold (made with olive juice and blue cheese-stuffed olives) and a Lemon Drop that’s topped with limoncello foam. Two different espresso martinis will satisfy Houstonians’ seemingly limitless cravings for the drink.

Even as it prepares to open Hudson House, Vandelay already has another Houston restaurant in the works. Drake’s Hollywood, a luxurious steakhouse, has claimed the former Underbelly location at 1100 Westheimer Rd for a location that’s expected to open in late 2023. Inspired by classic Hollywood glam, the restaurant serves steaks, pizzas, appetizers, and more in a luxurious environment.

“I think what Drake’s does is it channels a bygone era,” Hallberg says. “It takes inspiration from some of these legendary Hollywood establishments. It really has a special environment with beautiful lighting, amber hues, and dark red leather booths.”

Over the course of the last year, the River Oaks Shopping Center has added two prominent restaurants in Zanti Cucina Italiana and Mediterranean fine dining restaurant Albi. The months to come will bring even more new arrivals, including the reopening of the River Oaks Theatre movie theater; Leo’s River Oaks, a companion restaurant to the movie theater from State Fare owner Culinary Khancepts; and Cocody, a “French-influenced” restaurant from the French chefs behind Le Mistral and Bistro 555.