a very fine house

East Coast-inspired eatery shakes up Rice Village with 'World's Coldest Martini'

The “World’s Coldest Martini” is coming to Rice Village. Hudson House will open its second Houston-area location this Wednesday, May 21.

Located between CB2 and Banana Republic at 2414 University Blvd., Hudson House is part of the Dallas-based Vandelay Hospitality Group that also includes Drake’s Hollywood, a retro-styled steakhouse that opened in Montrose last summer. For Rice Village, Hudson House’s new, 6,000-square-foot restaurant follows the model of the River Oaks location that opened in 2023. That means navy leather booths, brass accents, and a polished wood bar that serves as a focal point.

The menu takes its inspiration from East Coast taverns. That includes items such as a cheeseburger, lobster roll, lobster mac and cheese, steak frites, entree salads, and chicken parm. Raw bar offerings include East Coast oysters, shrimp cocktail, and sushi rolls. The brunch menu features pancakes, eggs Benedict, and a bagel with lox and cream cheese.

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 poured from a frozen bottle 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. Hudson House also offers wines by-the-glass, beer, and non-alcoholic options.

Hudson House opens at 11 am for lunch and dinner during the weekend and at 10 am on Saturday and Sunday for brunch. Happy hour, served Monday-Friday from 3-6 pm, includes half-off all martinis, bellinis, and wines by-the-glass as well as $10 cheeseburgers and $3 East Coast oysters.

“We’re looking forward to bringing a second Hudson House to Houston,” Vandelay founder and CEO Hunter Pond said in a statement. “Our River Oaks location has seen strong support since opening just over a year ago, and we’re confident Rice Village will follow suit. With its already vibrant community and bustling shopping scene, Rice Village offers an ideal background for our beloved coastal-inspired American cuisine.”

Photo by Becca Wright

Hudson House is bringing its signature martinis to Rice Village.

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finally coming to H-Town

Michelin-recognized Austin restaurant group reveals first Houston project

Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group chef partners Tavel Bristol-Joseph and Kevin Fink.

Photo by Jessica Attie

Emmer & Rye partners Tavel Bristol-Joseph and Kevin Fink.

One of Texas’ most lauded hospitality groups is finally coming to Houston. Austin-based Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group has claimed the former MF Lobster space in Autry Park for a new restaurant that will open in late 2025.

At this time, Emmer & Rye isn’t providing any details about the restaurant, including its name or what kind of food it will serve. Given that the group serves everything from Caribbean food at Canje to Mediterranean fare at Ladino, it’s essentially impossible to predict how they’ll utilize the 2,200-square-foot, circular-shaped building.

Known for concepts such as Hestia, a live restaurant in Austin that earned a Michelin star, and Emmer & Rye, the only Texas restaurant to earn a Michelin green star for sustainability, Emmer & Rye Hospitality operates restaurants in Austin and San Antonio, including Pullman Market, recently named by Robb Report as the No. 3 best new restaurant in America.

Both chef-partners in the group, Kevin Fink and Tavel Bristol-Joseph, have received prestigious Best New Chef awards from Food & Wine. Fink is a two-time James Beard Award finalist, and Bristol-Joseph earned a semifinalist nomination in 2023.

Southern Smoke Festival 2022 Kevin Fink Tavel Bristol Joseph Kevin Fink, left, and Tavel Bristol-Joseph, right, at the 2022 Southern Smoke Festival. Photo by Emily Jaschke

“We’ve had our eye on Houston — and specifically Autry Park — for quite some time,” Bristol-Joseph said in a statement. “When the opportunity to take over such a unique space came along, we couldn’t pass it up. Houston has such a vibrant and diverse culinary community, and we look forward to opening our doors and contributing to the city’s incredible culinary landscape.”

Located near the intersection of Allen Parkway and Shepherd Drive, Autry Park is a 14-acre mixed-use development with apartments, office space, and shopping. Its restaurants include Annabelle Brasserie, Turner's Cut, Doko, and Bar Doko. In addition to the unnamed Emmer & Rye concept, it will soon welcome Mayahuel, a Mexico City-inspired concept from State Fare owners Culinary Khancepts and chef Luis Robledo Richards. Vegetable-forward restaurant Auden closed there earlier this year.

As for MF Lobster, it closed on Tuesday, June 10, according to press materials. Owner Chris Kinjo has decided to focus on his other restaurants, including MF Sushi in the Museum District and Annam, a recent addition to Autry Park that serves elevated Vietnamese fare.

“As much as we loved MF Lobster, it sat in an American dining genre that’s outside our natural wheelhouse,” Kinjo said. “We decided it made sense to sell the restaurant and concentrate on culinary ventures that reflect our Vietnamese and Japanese heritage.”

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