surf's up(town)

New seafood restaurant freshens up familiar Uptown space with light, coastal fare and expansive patio

The owners of Galleria Italian restaurant il Bracco have more plans for Houston. Balboa Surf Club, a new seafood restaurant from the Dallas-based Western Addition Restaurant Group, will open later this spring.

Described as a Pacific-inspired seafood restaurant, Balboa will occupy the former Masraff’s space that’s also located in the Post Oak Plaza shopping center that’s already home to il Bracco. Western Addition is working with the Michael Hsu Office of Architecture (Uchi, Da Gama) on the design, which will feature an expansive, 1,200-square-foot covered patio that includes a water feature. Other design details include an open fireplace and artwork collected by Western Addition CEO Robert Quick and his wife Mary, Western Addition’s vice president of design.

Western Addition COO Matt Gottlieb tells CultureMap that the company sees an opportunity for a restaurant that’s a little different from the steakhouses and other fine dining restaurants that are popular in the Galleria area. A seafood restaurant will appeal to diners looking for a lighter option for both lunch and dinner, he explains.

“We love seafood,” Gottlieb says. “Balboa is a little different style than we’re seeing done anywhere else. The seafood restaurants we find in Houston are great, but I think our style is a little bit different, a little bit fresher.”

While he isn’t ready to share specific dishes until the menu is finalized, dishes will be influenced by California and Mexico's Pacific coast. A selection of different kinds of sushi will help provide the lighter, fresher options that the restaurant aims to serve. Diners can also expect entree-sized salads, sandwiches that utilized bread baked on-site, and Prime steaks.

Courtesy of Western Addition

Balboa Surf Club will open this spring.

Since Balboa will do all of its butchering in-house, it will be able to serve different preparations of fish, such as a “baseball cut” swordfish that will be cooked medium rare. Gottlieb says he’s working with the restaurant’s seafood purveyors to supply fresh Pacific swordfish at least six months out of the year.

Some of the lessons learned from opening il Bracco will be applied to Balboa. Known for its elegant, midcentury-inspired dining room and dishes such as spicy gemelli pasta and chicken piccata, the Italian restaurant has been bustling since its August opening. Gottlieb acknowledges that the extent to which Houstonians have embraced the restaurant being open all day has been a pleasant surprise.

“We really enjoy the different times people like to dine and the business throughout the evening,” he says.

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weekend event planner

Here are the top 14 things to do in Houston this weekend

Red Bull Dance Your Style/Facebook

Bust those moves at Red Bull Dance Your Style Houston.

In a blink, it's officially rodeo season and also, March (how did that happen?). Those heading to the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo — hopefully rocking looks like these — can catch a host of concerts and over-the-top food.

Meanwhile, a beloved local destination celebrates Texas independence, while they Alley stages a cowboy show that's not to be missed. Got moves? Show 'em off at a dance contest, or get decked out with your adorable pets at the arboretum. Feeling artsy? Head to the MFAH or take in some Sunday jazz in the park.

Enjoy; here are your best bets for the weekend.

Thursday, March 2

McDonald’s All American Games Pep Rally

McDonald’s and adidas are partnering with a local McDonald’s restaurant and artist David Maldonado to celebrate the McDonald’s All American Games, taking place in Houston later this March. The event will reveal a custom mural inspired by the legacy of the McDonald’s All American Games, on the exterior of the McDonald’s at 4005 Elgin. The free community event will also feature exclusive merch, additional giveaways, family-friendly interactive activities, and the chance to score BOGO deals throughout the day. 1 pm.

Goode Company Armadillo Palace presents Texas Independence Day Dinner

In honor of Texas Independence Day, the Goode Company culinary team, led by chef/owner Levi Goode, will prepare a backyard feast worthy of the celebration. The seated, family-style meal will celebrate authentic Texas culture, community and cuisine with live music from Rio Tripiano, live-fire cooking, cocktails, artisanal Texas wines, and more. The coursed menu carefully prepared by the team over live fire will reflect the rich, indigenous ingredients of our state. 6:30 pm.

Kimbra and Tei Shi in concert

Kimbra will be doing a show at White Oak Music Hall this weekend. But can we talk about her opener, Colombian-Canadian vocalist Tei Shi, for a minute? One of today's most powerful independent voices, Tei Shi is an artist who comes with a phenomenal voice and heart-touching songs. Her music embodies messages of empowerment, truth, love, life, and dealing with the everyday struggles that anyone can relate to. She'll also be dropping a new project this spring. 8 pm.

Friday, March 3

Ncredible Entertainment presents Nick Cannon’s Next Superstar Tour 2023

Nick Cannon comes to Houston as part of his Next Superstar Tour 2023, a celebratory, empowerment journey for the rising stars of music’s next generation. The tour will feature three stages of new talent discovery, including a BMAC x Ncredible Next Superstar Grant, a Next Superstar Educational Seminar, and a Next Superstar show with headlining talent performing. The tour will also feature performances by Symba, 24kGoldn, Justina Valentine, Hitman Holla, JD McCrary, Traetwothree, Klondike Blonde, DW Flame, and Pop Money. 5:30 pm.

DACAMERA presents Christian McBride and New Jawn

Eight-time Grammy-winning jazz bassist Christian McBride is a force of nature. Powered by a relentless energy and a boundless love of swing, McBride’s path has described a continuous positive arc since his arrival on the scene. With a career now blazing into its third decade, the Philadelphia native has become one of the most requested, most recorded, and most respected figures in the music world today. Drawing from the lexicon of his hometown, McBride calls his pianoless quartet The New Jawn. 8 pm.

Reeves Art + Design presents Mark Flood: "A Guide for Nude Investors" opening reception

Known for his use of irreverent humor, political commentary, and a variety of mediums, Mark Flood's work provokes audiences to question the established art world and cultural norms. This exhibition retraces 10 years of the artist's sputtering attempts to incorporate digital printing into his art. His work is not for the faint of heart, but for those who crave a thought-provoking experience. Whether you love it or hate it, one thing is for certain: Mark Flood's art will leave a lasting impression. Through Saturday, March 25. 6 pm.

Alley Theatre presents Cowboy Bob

You wouldn’t look twice at Peggy Jo. She's a good daughter, always tips, plays by the rules. But when she dons a fake beard, sunglasses, and a ten-gallon hat, she becomes “Cowboy Bob,” the slickest bank robber Texas has ever known. Equal parts Riot Grrrl rage and Texas twang, this world premiere musical, loosely based on actual events (and co-authored by Galveston’s own Molly Beach Murphy), invites audiences to join the heist, take life by the reins, and let it ride. Through Sunday, March 26. 8 pm (2:30 pm Sunday).

Saturday, March 4

First Saturday Arts Market

First Saturday Arts Market, Houston’s original monthly outdoor art market, will celebrate 19 years this weekend. Visitors will find over three dozen friendly artists offering art in a variety of popular mediums. Insect lovers will even feel included with two options: watercolor-painted specimens by Paul Atwell and professionally preserved insects, mounted and framed by Ruben Salazar. This month, the food truck will be Dibi Rapide, serving Senegalese food, the West African-themed truck influenced by North African, French, and Portuguese cuisine. 11 am.

Hands-on Houston: Suncatchers

Design your own suncatcher, inspired by the upcoming exhibition TG: Transitions in Kiln-Glass. Learn how to cut various shapes from clear acrylic to create your composition. Play with layering your shapes and colors, like the exhibiting artists do with kiln glass. Experiment with how your acrylic is affected by the light. Add your finished suncatcher to a window ledge to experience how the spring sun brings your composition to life. This activity will take place indoors and is on a first-come, first-served basis, while supplies last. 11 am.

Heights Crawfish Festival

The Greater Heights Area Chamber of Commerce Crawfish Festival is back this weekend. Come out, support your community and shop local. There will be vendor booths, a Kids World, live music by Step Rideau and The Zydeco Outlaws, an Idol of the Heights contest, cold beer and the best crawfish in the Heights. There are also Crawfish Festival Plates and Bucks. If you buy four plates, you get one free. And if you buy 50 tickets, you get 10 free (good for beer, hot dogs, sausage on a stick). 11 am.

Red Bull Dance Your Style Houston Audition

POST will host Red Bull Dance Your Style, a global all-styles street dance event series. From hip hop to house, dancers participating in Red Bull Dance Your Style’s Houston audition will need to “wow” the crowd and judges. Dancers will be tested on their freestyle skills through unpredictable mainstream tracks, ranging from recent global hits to classic beats. Only two winners will move on to the Red Bull Dance Your Style Memphis Qualifier later this month. 2 pm.

Sunday, March 5

New Beginnings Spring Festival at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

This free, family-friendly festival welcomes spring with celebratory traditions from across the Middle East and Asia. This also marks the opening of the New Galleries for Art of the Islamic Worlds and anticipates Nowruz, the renewal of spring that has been celebrated for more than 3,000 years. Immerse your senses in the sounds and flavors of the regions as you enjoy music, dance, poetry, art activities, and food from local vendors. 1 pm.

Houston Arboretum presents Pup Crawl & Pet Expo

The Houston Arboretum & Nature Center invites all interested humans to bring their favorite furry friends to a “pup” crawl, located on the Arboretum grounds. After four special Saint Arnold beer stops along the Arboretum trails, guests will interact with local pet vendors at the Pet Expo and walk away with a commemorative glass. Proceeds support the conservation and education programs of the Houston Arboretum and BARC, the City of Houston’s animal shelter and adoption center. Pet adoptions will also be available onsite. 3 pm.

Jazzy Sundays in the Parks

Discovery Green Conservancy, Buffalo Bayou Park Partnership, and Emancipation Park Conservancy are bringing residents weekly free jazz concerts in March, April, and May, made possible by the Kinder Foundation. The free concert lineup is designed to celebrate the legacy and evolution of jazz in Houston. Local and regional musicians representing the best in jazz and its related forms such as gospel, blues zydeco and more will perform. Things kick off at Emancipation Park with Grammy-winning pianist Robert Glasper. 5 pm.

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