Uptown Park's new spot

New coastal-inspired restaurant Duchess reigns in Uptown Park

A prime location in the Uptown Park development has been reborn as Houston’s newest restaurant devoted to seafood, steaks, and more. Duchess is now open daily for lunch and dinner.

Located in the former Belvedere nightclub space, Duchess describes itself as a casual, all-day restaurant devoted to coastal cuisine. The owners — Peggy and Daniel Chang, the husband-and-wife duo behind Uptown Sushi and Sushi Rebel, and their business partner Roveen Abante (Conservatory Galleria, Sushi Rebel, etc.) — worked with consulting chef Omar Pereney to craft a menu that’s inspired by a diverse set of influences from Asian, the Mediterranean, and South America.

“Having the wood-fired grill was at the heart of the menu,” co-owner Peggy Chang tells CultureMap. “We are true foodies and live to dine. Over time the menu evolved, as we thought of what would be a great addition to Uptown.”

The savory sections are divided into cold appetizers, hot appetizers, skewers, and mains. Choices range from red snapper crudo and beef tartare to grilled octopus, grilled salmon skewers with honey garlic-lemongrass glaze, bucatani with mussels, and pan-seared snapper. Those looking to indulge may opt for caviar with gougeres or a decadent roasted seafood platter of Oysters Rockeller, mussels, lobster tail, octopus, and tiger prawns. For dessert, try the Duchess Rose, a flower-shaped creation made with white chocolate mousse, strawberry compote, fresh strawberries, and more.

“This is an all-day menu great for lunch with coworkers and friends, cocktails, or date nights,” Chang says. “It just works in our opinion for diners – everyone will find something or even several things they find appealing. We have already seen guests sharing several plates when they can’t decide on one. It’s like tapas-plus — shareable plates that have some heft. I think they are having fun with Duchess and so are we.”

For cocktails, the trio turned to bar specialist Matthew Medina. The Clarkwood veteran’s cocktail menu offers twists on classics such as an Old Fashioned, a Vesper, a gin and tonic, and a paloma made with hibiscus-infused tequila. The Scorpion Kiss, pictured below, combines mezcal with habanero bitters and cassis for a sweet and spicy kick. “He has a fun, inventive approach to cocktailing,” Chang says.

Duchess scorpion kiss cocktail Careful, it might sting.Courtesy of Duchess

Courtesy of Duchess

Duchess' seafood platter will feed a crowd.

The interior has been transformed with jewel tones on the walls, plush banquettes, and a revamped bar. Chang says the goal is to feel equally cozy and welcoming during daytime and night.

“The colors helped drive the design – inviting and welcoming, not fussy,” Chang says. “We wanted a place where men and women want to gather and feel comfortable. It’s a balance of clean lines, fabrics – everyone fits in.”

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Snap a photo with the big bunny himself

21 egg-cellent Houston restaurants serving bountiful Easter brunches

Kirsten Gilliam

The Annie Cafe is one of many Houston restaurants with Easter Sunday specials for patrons.

The Easter Bunny is on its way, and Houston restaurants are ready. The springtime holiday is an ideal time to sample brunch at dinner-only establishments like Turner’s Cut and Leo’s River Oaks. Or opt for more family-friendly favorites such as Dandelion Cafe or Hungry’s. If snagging a snapshot with the Easter Bunny is a must, there are several locales hosting the folkloric figure. Just don’t wait — Easter reservations go fast!

Annabelle Brasserie
Diners will discover that Annabelle Brasserie’s already dramatic decor is on trend with the addition of an Easter egg canopy and bunnies. The restaurant’s signature menus will be available alongside special holiday dishes: filet and eggs with béarnaise sauce ($62) and crab bagel benedict ($35). Brunch is from 9 am-3 pm.

The Annie Cafe and Bar
This Uptown destination is expanding its brunch menu for Easter with a braised short rib benedict ($44) with smoked cheddar and béarnaise sauce and roasted prime rib ($72) with a roasted shallot sauce. Standards such as the brioche French toast ($23) will be available. Brunch is served from 11 am-3pm.

The Audrey Restaurant and Bar
Gather at this Woodlands restaurant for a three-course, prix fixe menu featuring crab avocado toast, filet benedict, and white chocolate bread pudding. The prix fixe menu is $53 for adults and $22 for children 12 and under. Brunch is from 9 am-3 pm, and reservations are highly encouraged.

Brennan’s of Houston
The Houston mainstay is marking the holiday in three unique ways. From 9:30 am -1 pm on Friday, April 18, patrons can secure a photo with the Easter Bunny and savor a three-course brunch. Then, on Saturday, live bunnies will be visiting from Boling Bunny Farms, with brunch served from 11 am-2 pm. On Easter Sunday from 10 am-4:30 pm, patrons can enjoy a three-course meal featuring seasonal Creole cuisine for $75 per person.

Buttermilk Baby
For a vibrant, sweet treat, head to Buttermilk Baby in M-K-T. The quirky diner is serving a Peep-tastic shake ($10/16oz, $8.50/12oz) that blends green coconut "grass," yellow vanilla ice cream, and marshmallow flavor before being topped with whipped cream, sprinkles, and a yellow Peep. On Friday, April 18, patrons can say hello and snap a photo with the Easter Bunny from 4-7 pm.

Dandelion Cafe
The breakfast hotspot’s carrot cake pancakes are back for the season, along with a new strawberry milk, shaken with housemade strawberry jam. Diners can choose between two special coffee creations: a honeysuckle latte (honey, vanilla, and espresso) and a Peep latte with marshmallow syrup and topped with edible glitter, sugar, and a squishy Peep. The special menu items are available at Dandelion Cafe’s two locations in Bellaire and the Heights.

Duck N Bao
Toast to the holiday at Duck N Bao with its Chubby Bunny cocktail ($12). The concoction consists of two kinds of rum, chocolate, and condensed milk — delivered in a charmingly festive bunny cup.

Gatlin's Fins & Feathers
Get a little Southern comfort at this restaurant in Independence Heights. The menu includes biscuits, "everything" gumbo with both seafood and chicken, blackened catfish, and wings & hoecakes. Brunch is served from 10:30 am-3:30 pm.

Guard and Grace
The downtown steakhouse is opening its doors for brunch on Easter Sunday with a holiday menu. Highlights include warm monkey bread, pigs in a blanket, Maine lobster benedict, wagyu hanger steak and eggs, and duck confit scramble. Brunch will be served between 10:30 am-3 pm.

Hugo’s
Enjoy the restaurant’s renowned Sunday brunch buffet from 10 am-3 pm on Easter Sunday. New seasonal items, a carving station, and specialty Easter desserts will be included for the day. Viento, Hugo’s house band, will entertain patrons from 11 am-2 pm. The brunch is $55 per adult and $15 per child.

Hungry’s
The Easter Bunny is making a stop at Hungry’s three locations from 11 am-2 pm on Easter Sunday. Patrons can submit a priority seating request for their preferred location.

Juliet
Nothing says a family meal like a brunch buffet. Juliet’s upscale buffet includes a build-your-own-omelet station, cinnamon rolls, and carving stations with salmon and filet mignon. Younger diners will find kid-friendly options such as chicken tenders, French toast, waffles, and scrambled eggs. Easter brunch is served from 11 am-4 pm and costs $50 for adults, $30 for kids 5-12, and free for children under 5.

KP's Kitchen
Both locations of the comfort food restaurant will feature customer favorites such as smoked salmon avocado toast, fish and grits (with local redfish), pan-seared branzino, and red wine-braised short ribs. At dinner, the restaurant will serve its Sunday special fried chicken platter and $12 burgers from 4-8 pm.

Leo’s River Oaks
The newly named Best New Restaurant at the 2025 Tastemaker Awards is gracing patrons with extra hours on Sunday. Leo’s River Oaks is open from 10 am-8 pm on Easter, with a $70 three-course, prix-fixe brunch menu. Options include a crab cake benedict with Old Bay hollandaise sauce and French toast bread pudding with vanilla ice cream and toasted hazelnuts.

Local Table
Still need a photo with the Easter Bunny? See the white fluffy creature from 11 am-2 pm at Local Table locations. Reservations are suggested.

The Marigold Club
The French-inspired establishment is hosting a three-course Easter brunch with items including beef tartare, pancakes, croque madame, and sticky toffee for $85. A $30 kids menu has staples such as chicken tenders with fries, a pancake with fruit, and an egg and cheddar TMC muffin, with a dessert to finish.

State Fare Kitchen & Bar
The Texas comfort food restaurant will have a festive atmosphere on Easter Sunday. Patrons can choose between $60 brunch boards laden with jalapeño & cheddar croissant kolaches, Fruity Pebble waffles, and shrimp deviled Easter eggs. It all begins at 8 am, before the fun amps up from 11 am-4 pm with live music at the Memorial City patio and a balloon artist at the Sugar Land outpost.

The Sunrise House
Get an early start at the Sunrise House. The Montrose brunch spot is open from 7 am-4 pm on Easter Sunday, with a promised visit from the Easter Bunny and a photo booth.

Toro Toro at the Four Seasons Houston
As it always does on major holidays, the Latin-inspired steakhouse will serve a decadent Easter brunch buffet. Priced at $145 for adults and $65 for kids 12 and under, the spread includes a seafood and sushi station, a carving station, Texas charcuterie board, breakfast favorites, and a lavish dessert spread. Brunch is served from 11 am-3 pm and reservations are required.

Traveler’s Table
It’s a weekend celebration at Traveler’s Table, with brunch specials offered from 10 am-2:30 pm., April 18 through April 20. The menu consists of truffled easter eggs ($14), miniature lobster rolls ($19), grilled lamb lollipops ($28), and a strawberry matcha shortcake ($14), along with sips such as a peach bellini ($12) and a strawberry mojito ($14).

Turner’s Cut
Live music is on the menu at Turner’s Cut. Ben Berg’s luxurious steakhouse is opening at 11 am for Easter Sunday, with dishes such as a double lobster tail ($86) with yuzu fennel puree and a salmon tart ($24) pairing cherry and vodka-cured salmon with honey goat cheese. For a truly decadent celebration, opt for the beef short rib Wellington ($128) that is prepared tableside with prosciutto and carrot puree.

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