baguettes, eclairs, and more

Bakery known for Houston's best croissants rolls into the Heights

The bakery known for making some of Houston’s best croissants is coming to the Heights. Magnol French Baking has claimed the former Andy’s Home Cafe space (1115 E 11th St.) for a second location that will join its original bakery on North Post Oak.

Founded in 2019 by French-trained baker Otto Sanchez, Magnol has become one of Houston’s most acclaimed bakeries. Its croissants, baguettes, and pastries can be found in restaurants throughout Houston, including Rosie Cannonball, Ostia, and Le Jardinier. Pastry fans know to line up early on the weekends for sweets such as eclairs, cookies, and tarts.

Currently, Sanchez intends to open his new location in time for the holiday season, but the difficulties of renovating an almost 90-year old building make the outlook somewhat uncertain.

“Once the build out and permitting phases are complete comes the fun part: Operating two bakeries,” Sanchez said in a statement. “It will be grueling, but I am excited about the challenge, and to do it in this city, because Houston is home. For more than 30 years it has treated me well, and this is me trying to reciprocate.”

Prior to opening Magnol, Sanchez began his career at the Alden Hotel's *17 restaurant before leaving in Houston in 2005. He worked in Las Vegas as well as at the Hotel Bardessono in Yountville, California; The Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay; and Burj Al Arab in Dubai, where he was the assistant pastry chef. He returned to Houston in 2014 to lead the pastry program at La Table.

Joining Sanchez in the kitchen will be executive pastry chef Nicolas Berrais. Like Sanchez, Berrais brings experience working for superstar French chefs Alain Ducasse and Joel Robuchon. The native Frenchman has more than 30 years of professional experience.

“Otto and I have spoken about this for years,” Berrais added. “He’s a great friend, and he’s doing an incredible job; better than many French bakers I know. Otto and I will work together to bring Magnol to another level.”

Magnol French Baking is now open for business.

Photo by Carla Gomez

Magnol French Baking is coming to the Heights.

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bring on barnaby's

Favorite Houston comfort food spot picks Garden Oaks for 10th location

Courtesy of Barnaby's Cafe

Barnaby's Cafe is coming to the Stomping Grounds this fall.

Earlier this week, real estate developer Bryan Danna promised “big news…very soon” about a new tenant for the former LuLoo’s Day & Night space at his Stomping Grounds development in Garden Oaks. That news is that Houston favorite Barnaby’s Cafe has claimed the space for a new location that will open later this year.

When a Barnaby’s decal appear on the restaurant’s door a couple of days ago, news of the restaurant’s imminent arrival spread quickly on social media. It will be Barnaby’s tenth location, joining outposts in Montrose, River Oaks, the Heights, and more.

The restaurant will occupy a 2,250-square-foot space at the Stomping Grounds. It will offer a to-go window for people hanging out in the development’s green space as well as a gated, dog-friendly patio. Houston artist Roberto Cervantes will contribute works to the restaurant’s interior.

Founded in 1992 by restaurateur Jeff Gale, Barnaby’s is known for its wide-ranging and affordable menu of classic American fare, including salads, sandwiches, breakfast items, and dinner entrees. Customer favorites include the Lebanese chicken fattoush salad, chipotle black bean burger, baby back ribs, and green eggs, which are scrambled with spinach and artichoke hearts. Dogs can snack on a special “puppy menu” of ground beef, sliced chicken breast, or scrambled eggs over brown rice.

Stomping Grounds green space A to-go window will expedite orders for people in the Stomping Grounds' green space.Courtesy of Stomping Grounds

“Bringing Barnaby’s to Garden Oaks and Oak Forest has been on my wish list for more than a decade, so I’m incredibly grateful that Jeff Gale and his team saw Stomping Grounds as the right fit,” Danna said in a statement. “Jeff and I go back to his first Heights location, which was one of Barnaby’s first big moves north of Montrose, and I have always respected what he and his longtime team have built. Thirty years in the restaurant business is a serious accomplishment. You do not make it that long unless you know how to take care of people, build loyalty, and become part of the neighborhood.”

When it opens this fall, Barnaby’s will be open daily from 11 am to 9 pm. It will join other restaurants at the Stomping Grounds, including Fat Cat Creamery, Tex-Mex restaurant La Mex, Bollo Woodfired Pizza, casual sushi restaurant Himari, Little Sister Cake Shop, and High Five Mini Bar. Earlier this week, casual Vietnamese restaurant Pho Prime announced that it had claimed the space formerly occupied by The Pho Fix for a new location that will also open this fall.

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