the wait is almost over

How to watch the invite-only Michelin Guide Texas ceremony — plus predictions

March could be among the restaurants getting good news at the Michelin ceremony.

Photo by Julie Soefer

Missed out on one of the coveted invites for Monday night’s ceremony that will reveal which Texas restaurants are included in the state’s first ever Michelin Guide? Fear not.

The event will be streamed live on YouTube beginning at 7 pm. We’ve embedded it below.

As CultureMap has previously reported, restaurants from Texas’ five largest cities — Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, and Austin, as well as points in between — have been invited to the ceremony that’s being held at Houston’s 713 Music Hall. They’re eligible for one of four designations:

Michelin stars: rated at one, two, or three for restaurants that offer exceptional experiences
Bib Gourmand, described as “restaurants that offer great quality food at good prices”
Recommended: for restaurants that serve good food but are not quite star worthy
Green stars for “restaurants that are leaders in sustainable gastronomy”

Considered to be the most prestigious restaurant review site in the world, Michelin uses five criteria to evaluate restaurants. They are: product quality; mastery of cooking techniques; harmony of flavors; the personality of the chef as reflected in the cuisine; and consistency over time and across the entire menu.

The guide’s famously anonymous inspectors had already been spending time in Texas when Michelin announced its presence in July. It seems like they’ve been busy.

Texas Monthly reported that at least 16 barbecue restaurants statewide have been invited to the ceremony, including Houston-area joints such as Killen’s Barbecue, Truth BBQ, Corkscrew BBQ, Rosemeyer Bar-B-Q, and Brisket & Rice. In the article, barbecue editor Daniel Vaughn speculates that at least one barbecue restaurant could receive a star, which would be a first for America.

Since Tex-Mex restaurant Superica received a Bib Gourmand in the recently-updated Atlanta guide, it seems likely that its Houston location could receive one, too. If that’s the case, other, similar restaurants such as Candente, The Original’s Ninfa’s on Navigation, and El Tiempo may also be in line for recognition.

As for which restaurants will receive stars, CultureMap has learned that fine dining restaurants such as Theodore Rex, Tatemo, and March have all been invited. Hopefully, they’ll be among the select group of Texas restaurants leaving with the night’s top prize.

We made a few more predictions this morning on KPRC2's morning show. Here's the clip.

Of course, CultureMap will be in attendance. We'll have full coverage of the results later tonight.

news-you-can-eat michelin guide awards

All-day cafe with boutique hotel vibes coming to downtown Houston

Rendering courtesy of Rebees

Lila's is the newest restaurant to arrive at GreenStreet, the three-block downtown complex.

Downtown Houston is adding a new restaurant to its roster with Lila’s at GreenStreet. Slated to open this fall, Lila’s is envisioned as an all-day New American restaurant that starts the day with coffee and breakfast and ends with dinner and cocktails.

Located at 1201 Fannin Street, Lila's occupies a 5,100-square-foot space in the former lobby of the office tower, with its entrance tucked into an alleyway between McCormick & Schmick’s and The Palm. The restaurant aims to capture the experience of a boutique hotel, without the hassle of overnight guests.

“We’ve spent years thinking about how hospitality can fundamentally change the experience of a place,” Matt Ragan, chief hospitality officer for Rebees, said in a statement. “With Lila’s, we’re taking the level of service, attention to detail, and sense of welcome you expect from a great boutique hotel and applying it to an everyday restaurant. We want someone grabbing coffee before work, meeting a client for lunch or settling in for dinner and drinks to feel equally at home.”

Executive chef Garee Battad will lead the kitchen, drawing on his two decades of experience largely at hotel restaurants such as Nobu at Hotel Crescent Court and Charlie Palmer at The Joule Dallas. His most recent position was as executive chef at Azumi, the elevated Japanese restaurant in River Oaks District.

“Some of the most memorable restaurants where I’ve worked have been gathering places inside great hotels, and that’s the spirit and sense of place we’re bringing to Lila’s,” Battad said. “We want every dish to feel familiar yet unexpected.”

Behind the bar, mixologist Zach Smigiel is crafting an ingredient-forward cocktail program with a focus on seasonal flavors, complemented by a wine list, local beers, and nonalcoholic beverages.

The eatery is the latest endeavor by Rebees, the Houston-based hospitality management firm behind GreenStreet, and its second venture into the culinary world. Its first was Dallas restaurant Billy Can Can, led by executive chef and partner Matt Ford, who will also develop Lila’s menu alongside Battad. Lila’s is named after a French Bulldog owned by Rebees founder Tristan Simon.

This is the hospitality firm’s second endeavor into the culinary world, joining its Dallas restaurant Billy Can Can, led by executive chef and partner Matt Ford. Ford will also be developing Lila’s menu alongside Battad.

Tenants of GreenStreet, the three-block, mixed-use development, will be able to order meals and drinks from Lila’s directly to their offices through a proprietary app.

Rendering courtesy of Rebees

Lila's is the newest restaurant to arrive at GreenStreet, the three-block downtown complex.