Meet Tristen Epps

Top Chef contestant reintroduces himself to Houston at new pop-up dinner series

Get to know Tristen Epps at three February pop-ups.

Courtesy of BuBoy

Even the most engaged Houston restaurant obsessives may have been surprised to see chef Tristen Epps listed as one of two Houstonians competing on the new season of Top Chef. Although Epps grew up in Houston and began his culinary career here, the bulk of his professional experience is in New York and Miami, where he led a restaurant to a Michelin Bib Gourmand award and earned a James Beard Award semifinalist nomination for Best Chef: South.

Having returned to the Bayou City in 2024, Epps will take another step towards reintroducing himself to Houstonians in February. As part of the process of opening BuBoy, a tasting menu restaurant inspired by Afro-Caribbean culinary traditions, Epps will host pop-up dinners on February 11, 18, and 25. Held at Jūn in the Heights, each night will devoted to a different region that was part of the transatlantic slave trade, moving from West Africa to the Carbibean to the American South.

“My goal for this pop-up is to showcase Black diaspora foodways in a unique and elevated format,” Epps writes in an email. “I want guests to experience this cuisine in a way they never have before. While the tasting menu format is nothing new to diners, featuring neo-African flavors in this context is unfamiliar, creating a special opportunity for storytelling.”

The six-course tasting menus will blend techniques from the night’s region with ingredients sourced from Texas and the Gulf Coast. On February 11, the menu will include dishes such as grilled oyster with rundown stew, “Dasheen Dumplin’” with groundnut stew, Texas wagyu with smoked peanut suya, and grilled Gulf fish with plantain pudding and oxtail spinach stew.

“This experience with the element of thoughtful storytelling is exactly what I intend to offer at BuBoy. I’m thrilled to provide a glimpse of that through this pop-up at Jūn during Black History Month,” Epps continues.

Each night will have two seatings of 16 people at 6:30 and 8:30 pm. Tickets cost $95 per person with a wine pairing available for an additional $45. Reservations are available via OpenTable.

As for BuBoy, Epps says he’s still searching for the right space to bring the concept to life. Until he finds it, the pop-up dinners will continue.

Still on the fence about attending? Epps picked up a major endorsement this week from one of his mentors, celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson via this Instagram post:

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A post shared by Marcus Samuelsson (@marcuscooks)

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there's the rub

Restaurant known for 'new Houston cuisine' now open in Cypress

Courtesy of Jonathan's the Rub

Jonathan's the Rub serves steaks and other dishes.

A restaurant known for its eclectic “new Houston cuisine” has opened in Cypress. The fourth location of Jonathan’s the Rub is now open for dinner in Bridgeland (20215 Bridgeland Creek Parkway).

First announced last year, the new Jonathan’s is located in Village Green, a 70-acre mixed-use development within the 925-acre Bridgeland Central district. The 5,500-square-foot restaurant includes two patios totaling 2,600 square feet, giving the restaurant plenty of room for private dining rooms, a bar area, and indoor-outdoor areas with fire pits and greenery.

“We were looking for the next frontier — a community with a booming population and a clear vision for growth that aligns with our brand,” chef-owner Jonathan Levine said in a statement. “When we discovered Bridgeland and learned it was a Howard Hughes development, we were immediately impressed. With their reputation for developing generational communities, we felt confident that Bridgeland was the right place for our family and for Jonathan’s the Rub.”

Like Jonathan’s three other locations, the menu at Bridgeland is built around Levine’s signature “new Houston cuisine,” a kicked-up take on comfort food that includes everything from lobster tacos and blackened shrimp and grits to Italian American classics and steakhouse fare.

Village Green is also home to H-E-B and restaurants such as Sweet Paris Crêperie & Café and Crust Pizza Co. Austin-based burger joint P. Terry’s will open there next year.

“Jonathan’s the Rub’s arrival in Bridgeland Central brings a distinguished addition to the culinary scene in both the community and northwest Houston,” said Jim Carman, president of the Texas region, for Bridgeland developer Howard Hughes Communities. “We’re proud to partner with exceptional restaurateurs like Chef Jonathan Levine to bring elevated dining experiences that enhance the lifestyle offerings for our residents and neighbors.”

Courtesy of Jonathan's the Rub

Jonathan's the Rub serves steaks and other dishes.