Membership has its privileges

Take a dip and a grab a drink at new Houston restaurant's cocktail pool

The term “country club” may evoke images of tee times, pearls, and cucumber sandwiches, but the Montrose Country Club in Houston is anything but traditional.

Opening this Friday, March 14 in a newly constructed, multi-million-dollar building at 202 Tuam Street, the venue boasts a chef-driven restaurant, cocktail lounge, and a swim and dayclub with a 65-foot cocktail pool. Guests can relax on custom-designed daybeds before plunging into water that’s chilled in the summer and heated in the winter. No membership is required — and there’s not a golf ball in sight.

“Don’t let the term 'country club' mislead you – this is a casual and welcoming neighborhood restaurant featuring a chef-driven menu, mouthwatering cocktails, and a poolside oasis with spirited day and nightlife all merged into one venue, no membership required,” founder Jeff Harmon said in a statement.

Montrose Country Club is the latest venture by Harmon, known for Halo, Revelry, ReBar, and Rich's Houston. Harmon also announced that Rich’s Houston, one of Houston's most legendary gay dance clubs, will move from its current Tuam Street location back to its original Midtown address later this spring.

"We relocated to Tuam Street as ReBar and later brought back Rich's Houston to broaden the Montrose experience with delicious food, great cocktails, and vibrant entertainment at a singular destination," Harmon said. "With Rich's now returning home to San Jacinto, we are elevating the Tuam space even further with The Montrose Country Club, aiming to create a one-of-a-kind experience that is both relaxed and inviting.

Executive chef Diego Chiarello, a Sicilian native who fuses his Italian heritage with Southern and Cajun flavors, leads the kitchen. Known for his time as the founding pastry chef at Montrose bakery La Sicilia, diners can get in touch with Chiarello's savory cooking at the Montrose Country Club. The menu includes shareables such as shrimp ceviche and crawfish etouffee egg rolls, salads, flatbreads, and handhelds, as well as rotating comfort foods like chicken piccata, bolognese, and meatloaf.

“I strive to create dishes that are not only visually appealing but also leave a flavorful impression on our guests," Chiarello said.

For those looking to swim or sunbathe, dayclub and pool access is available for $20 in the morning and $25 after 12 pm. While annual memberships are not required, they may be beneficial for regular visitors. The $499 Founders Membership provides special event access and 10 percent off daybed rentals, while the $750 VIP Membership offers exclusive access to reserved lounging for the member and a guest.

“The addition of the swimming pool and dayclub is an exciting milestone for the continuing evolution of Montrose," said Harmon. “Not only have we created a unique and beautiful amenity for our guests, but we have also fashioned a menu, vibe, and overall craft-casual restaurant that we think will strongly resonate with locals and visitors alike. If you want to create an elevated space, you must provide an elevated product. I feel confident that our guests will recognize and appreciate our dedication to the neighborhood we serve.”

The restaurant will be open Tuesday through Saturday from 4-10 pm, and on Sundays for Drag Brunch from 11 am to 5 pm. The dayclub and swimming pool will operate seven days a week from 11 am to 9 pm.

Photo by Becca DeFillippo

The cocktail pool at Montrose Country Club is 65 feet long.

where there's smoke

Houston's only Michelin-recognized Tex-Mex restaurant now open in Bellaire

Photo by Duc Hoang

Don't miss the brisket nachos at Candente.

It didn’t take Sambrook Hospitality Group long to turn Mandito’s into Candente. First announced in September, the restaurant’s second location officially opens today, Monday, December 22, at 5101 Bellaire Blvd.

Speaking on a November episode of CultureMap’s “What’s Eric Eating” podcast, Sambrooks Hospitality founder Michael Sambrooks explained that, as a Bellaire resident, he saw an opportunity to open a restaurant close to home.

“It was a combination of, this location became available, and we liked the market. I think Bellaire is underserved. As far as Tex-Mex options, I think it’s limited,” he says. “We always struggle with where’s somewhere we can grab a bite that’s five minutes away as opposed to driving to another part of town. I think Candente is that solution. I think it’s going to be pretty well received.”

In terms of design, the restaurant replicates many of the same elements as the original Montrose location that opened in 2019, such as its copper-topped tables and yellow, orange, and maroon accents. Diners will note a mural by local artist Franky Cardona along one wall. Overall, the restaurant seats 125 in its dining room, 10 at its bar, and 24 on an outdoor patio.

While the location is new, the menu is the same. That means the same wood-fired fajitas, brisket enchiladas, nachos, birria tacos, and other fare that helped it achieve a “Recommended” designation in the Michelin Guide for Texas — the only Tex-Mex restaurant in Houston to make the prestigious guide. Pair them with margaritas (both shaken and frozen), as well as agave-based cocktails such as the paloma and ranch water, beers, and non-alcoholic options.

Sambrooks Hospitality also operates The Pit Room, the barbecue joint with locations in Montrose and Memorial City that earned a Bib Gourmand designation.

“It’s a privilege to open in Bellaire and get to know and serve a new clientele,” Sambrooks said in a statement. “We’re excited to introduce our style of authentic, handcrafted Tex-Mex that has made us a Houston dining staple.”

Candente will be open for lunch and dinner during the week beginning at 11 am. Brunch is served Saturday and Sunday beginning at 10 am.

Don't miss the brisket nachos at Candente.

Photo by Duc Hoang

Don't miss the brisket nachos at Candente.

openings news-you-can-eat tex-mex