spreading its wings

Vegas-inspired cocktail lounge takes flight in Shady Acres office building

Plume will open this summer.

Courtesy of Plume

A veteran Houston bar owner has teamed up with one of the city’s most prominent real estate developers to bring a new cocktail bar to Shady Acres. Meet Plume, a cocktail lounge that aims to offer something a little different than the nearby bars on 20th Street.

Located in the Urban Office – West Heights building at W. 22nd and Beall streets, Plume is the first project from Golden Ratio Hospitality Group. Founded by Ted Baker, the Houston hospitality veteran behind casual bars Penny Whistle Pub and Bobcat Teddy’s, in partnership with Dan Braun and James Fitch, two of the partners in real estate development firm Braun Enterprises, the new company strengthens a relationship that goes back to Baker operating the former Revelry on Richmond in a space owned by Braun Enterprises.

Plume aims to serve as a cocktail lounge that’s more intimate and upscale than the nearby sports and patio bars that have made 20th Street one of Houston’s most lively nightlife districts. Designed by Bradford Collier of BwCollier Interior Design of Houston, the interior will take inspiration from the iconic Beverly Hills Hotel and upscale cocktail bars in Las Vegas. Details will include a feather motif inspired by the bar’s name.

Scheduled to open this summer, Plume’s beverage offerings will include cocktails, sparkling wine, and premium whiskeys. A limited food menu will focus on an upscale take on shareable bar snacks. Expect refined service that’s consistent with the upscale atmosphere.

Located at 1100 W. 23 Street, Urban Office – West Heights is a coworking facility with one, two, and three-person office suites. Its amenities include conference rooms, high speed internet, and its proximity to the nearby bars and restaurants.

openings news-you-can-eat cocktails the-heights

shining star

New chicken restaurant flies into Houston with 'gluten-friendly' tendies

Courtesy of Starbird

Starbird sells chicken tenders, chicken nuggets, chicken sandwiches, and more.

A local restaurant group is bringing a California-based chicken concept to Texas. Mac Haik Restaurant Group announced it has reached an agreement with Starbird to open locations in Houston, Austin, and San Antonio.

Founded in the San Francisco area in 2016, Starbird is a fast casual restaurant with 19 locations in California and Colorado. It serves fried chicken sandwiches, chicken tenders, chicken nuggets, chicken wings, and salads that are made with chicken that’s “all-natural, never-frozen, antibiotic-free” and covered in a “gluten-friendly breading” that’s cooked fresh to order, according to a press release.

Pair them with sides such as cole slaw, french fries, crispy Thai Brussels sprouts, or elote. Diners can dip their tenders in 11 sauces, including Greek yogurt ranch, Thai herb aioli, honey mustard, honey chipotle bbq, and more.

Part of Mac Haik Enterprises Ltd, Mac Haik Restaurant Group operates a number of franchised restaurants, including breakfast concept First Watch Daytime Café, the Original ChopShop, and Due’ Cucina. It will open Kirkwood, an upscale supper club, later this spring in a West Houston office building that’s also owned by MHE.

“We evaluate opportunities through the lens of long-term brand relevance, not just unit growth,” MHRG COO Dan Anfinson said in a statement. “Starbird delivers a level of culinary quality and operational sophistication that we believe is still underserved in the premium fast-casual chicken category, particularly in Texas. The brand has a clear point of view and the systems to scale responsibly. That combination is rare, and we’re excited to introduce it thoughtfully across our markets.”

The company intends to open as many as 36 locations beginning in 2027, but MHRG is still in the process of securing specific locations. It will announce which city will be first to receive a Starbird at a later time.

“This agreement reflects the strength of our business model and the clarity of our long-term vision,” added Starbird CEO Greg Levin. “As we mark our 10th anniversary, this is shaping up to be our biggest year yet in terms of expansion. Texas is a critical market for us moving forward, and partnering with an experienced organization like Mac Haik Restaurant Group allows us to grow thoughtfully while staying true to what makes Starbird special.”

Courtesy of Starbird

Starbird sells chicken tenders, chicken nuggets, chicken sandwiches, and more.

openings news-you-can-eat starbird