now open at the ion

Lucille's chef opens nostalgic new restaurant in Midtown development

One of this year’s most eagerly anticipated restaurants has opened its doors. Late August is now open in the Ion mixed-use development (4201 Main St.).

Created by chef Chris Williams as part of Lucille’s Hospitality Group (Lucille’s, Rado Market), Late August takes its name from the building’s history as a former Sears department store. The annual Sears catalog would arrive in people’s mailboxes towards the end of August.

Photo by Rebekah Flores

Late August is now open at The Ion.

Williams created the menu with Late August executive chef Sergio Hidalgo. Although some of the dishes are influenced by Mexican cuisine, Williams does not consider Late August to be a Mexican restaurant.

“The cuisine is a true 'Masan,' based on both chefs' culinary experiences from childhood to their professional experiences,” Williams tells CultureMap. “Much like the Sears catalog, they hope there is something that speaks to everyone.”

On the opening menu, Southern-style gumbo is garnished with nopales and utilizes chorizo instead of the traditional andouille. Similarly, a half rack of pork ribs gets an achiote glaze and citrus pork confit is served with masa, refried black-eyed peas, and a sauce made from piri piri peppers.

Late August braised barbecue ribs Achiote-braised barbecue ribsPhoto by Rebekah Flores

Hidalgo brings experiences from The Original Ninfa’s on Navigation as well as restaurants in Seattle and Arizona, according to a release. General manager and sommelier Danny Davis has created a wine list that focuses on black and brown wines, female-owned wines, and small vineyards. The cocktail menu focuses on bourbon, mezcal, and drinks made with Highway Vodka, which was founded by Chris Williams’ brother Ben.

Gin Design Group incorporated original Sears terrazzo tile flooring into the 70-seat dining room. Artwork by local artist Robert Hodge, who also collaborated with Williams on the Hogan Brown Gallery at the Eldorado Ballroom, is featured in the space.

Williams first announced plans to open Late August in 2021 under the leadership of chef Dawn Burrell, who earned a James Beard Award semifinalist nomination for her work at Kulture and reached the finals of Top Chef season 19. At the time, Burrell planned to blend Asian techniques and flavors with dishes from the African diaspora, but she left the project last summer.

Late August is currently open Monday-Friday, 11 am - 4 pm. Dinner and happy hour will begin April 8. On Saturdays beginning April 13, the restaurant will be open for dinner 5-9 pm.

bonjour

Croissant-obsessed French cafe sets opening date in downtown Houston park

Photo by Mariela Callaway

Petite Lucie opens this Saturday, May 30.

Downtown Houston will soon welcome a new, all-day French cafe. Petite Lucie, a new restaurant from Love Croissants owner Culinary Matters, will begin its soft opening this Saturday, May 30.

Located in the former Niko Niko’s space at Market Square Park, Petite Lucie offers a covered, outdoor dining pavilion and an indoor-outdoor cocktail bar. Designed by the Houston office of the global architecture giant Gensler, the cafe also includes lighting, greenery, and other details to make it a comfortable place to dine throughout the day.

The restaurant is led by chefs Omar Pereney and Sahira Malherbe. Pereney’s history in Houston goes back more than 10 years, when the then-20-year-old served as executive chef at Peska, an ambitious (but short-lived) seafood restaurant in Uptown’s BLVD Place development. Since then, he’s worked as a consultant who contributed to a number of local restaurants as well as the owner of Love Croissants, which supplies oversized pastries to restaurants, coffee shops, and markets throughout Houston. In January, Pereney and Malherbe took over operations at Weights + Measures in Midtown.

“At its core, Petite Lucie is about creating moments of escape and discovery in the middle of the city,” Pereney said in a statement. “We wanted to build something romantic but approachable — a place where someone can stop in for a croissant and espresso in the morning, meet friends for cocktails in the afternoon or linger over a casual dinner under the stars at night.”

Of course, Petite Lucie’s menu starts with a selection of pastries from Love Croissants, including a butter croissant, almond-cardamom croissant, pain au chocolat, and a coffee bun. Other breakfast options include a breakfast sandwich served on a croissant, lemon blueberry French toast, and avocado toast with smoked salmon.

Lunch and dinner options include jambon croquettes, croque monsieur, chicken salad croissant sandwich, steak frites, and a bowl made with lentils, quinoa, vegetables, and onion jam that can be enhanced with salmon or grilled chicken. Desserts include chocolate chip cookies, ice cream, and what’s described in press materials as a “life-changing” birthday cake.

Petite Lucie birthday cake Share a birthday cake at Petite LucieCourtesy of Petite Lucie

Jaime de Leon, an advanced sommelier and frequent Pereney collaborator, oversees a beverage program that includes spritzes, cocktails, and a French-oriented wine list that includes large format bottles of sparkling wine to power group celebrations. A custom St-Germain cart will serve draft cocktails at busy times and during events.

Located in the oldest part of Houston, Market Square Park is close to attractions such as the Theater District, Daikin Park, Post Houston, and more. In addition to Petite Lucie, the area will soon welcome a second location of modern general store Henderson & Kane in the former Treebards space. On Saturday, downtown will celebrate the opening of the nearby Main Street Promenade with a market, live entertainment, and more.

Petite Lucie is located at 301 Milam Street. It’s open daily from 7 am-9 pm.

Photo by Mariela Callaway

Petite Lucie opens this Saturday, May 30.

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