Another restaurant is joining Houston’s dining scene in the Energy Corridor — this time as an ode to a local football legend and entrepreneur.
Kirkwood, a clubhouse-inspired restaurant from Mac Haik Restaurant Group, is opening this fall inside Energy Tower II at 11720 Katy Freeway.
The name pays tribute to both a major thoroughfare in the Energy Corridor and Mac Haik’s legacy in West Houston, where his early real estate investments helped transform farmland into a thriving business hub. It's an upscale move for a company that's best known as the local franchisee of the brunch concept First Watch.
“Kirkwood is about creating a sense of place — one that’s rooted in warmth, character, and a strong connection to the community,” Alec Poynter, Haik’s grandson and an MHE vice president, said in a statement. “Everything from the menu to the materials was chosen with intention, and every space tells a story.”
What began as simply an amenity for Energy Plaza tenants gradually grew into a full-service restaurant shaped by Haik’s story and influence.
Gin Braverman of Gin Design Group designed the 5,500-square-foot space, including a wraparound bar with automotive-inspired details (a nod to Haik’s car dealership roots), a private dining room named after his mother, and a lounge dubbed The Sunny Room in honor of his wife.
“This project is incredibly special to us because it captures so much of what makes Houston — and Mac — unique: grit, hospitality, and pride in doing things well,” said Joseph “J.K.” Kubicki, Mac Haik Enterprises’ chief operating officer. “But the beauty of Kirkwood is that you don’t need to know the backstory to feel it. You walk in and immediately feel at home.”
Accents of leather and dark wood, a copper-clad open kitchen, and an Astrodome-inspired art installation will add to the ambiance. Kirkwood will seat 154 guests, with an additional 16-seat private dining room and a 72-seat sunroom complete with a curved, double-sided fireplace.
Executive chef Stephen Chiang, formerly chef de cuisine of Relish Restaurant and Bar and executive chef of the Petroleum Club, will lead the kitchen with a menu of American staples like steak frites and seafood platters, while a cocktail program will center on handcrafted Old Fashioneds.
Kirkwood’s debut will coincide with renovations to Energy Tower II, including updates to the building’s lobby, fitness center, tenant lounge, and outdoor gathering spaces.
Courtesy of Gin Design Group
A new restaurant inspired by Mac Haik is coming to the Energy Corridor. The sunroom is named after his wife.
