cerveza garden

New Tex-Mex restaurant serving mucho margs marks first opening in Inner Loop's newest dining district

The Inner Loop’s new dining district welcomes its first bar next week. Verde Garden, the a Tex-Mex restaurant and beer garden from Heights Bier Garten owners the Kirby Group, will open April 25 at 1011 La Rue St.

Part of the Harlow District, the name given to the former Nino’s and Vincent’s property on West Dallas, Verde Garden will occupy the former Grappino di Nino space. In total, Verde Garden offers almost 9,000-square-feet of interior space and a more than 10,000-square-foot patio. It's the Kirby Group's second opening this year, joining Bayou Heights Bier Garten, a bar, restaurant, and bakery that opened in January.

"We are excited to open the first concept in the new Harlow District," Kirby Group co-founder Andy Aweida said in a statement. "We know Houstonians love Tex-Mex and beer gardens so we wanted to open a new concept with that in mind. Verde Garden is a great space to come enjoy made-to-order fresh or frozen margaritas while enjoying a meal or shareables."

Kirby Group beverage director Joel Ramirez’s cocktail menu starts with 12 frozen margaritas, 20 house cocktails, and 60 classics. Like other Kirby Group concepts, the house cocktails are divided into sections such as “Spirit Forward,” “Sour & Tart”, “Fruity & Sweet,” “Boozy Brunch,” “Refreshing & Spicy,” and “Refreshing & Balanced.” The classics menu includes favorites like the Mexican martini and paloma.

Patrons will find an extensive spirits selection that includes more than 250 agave-based sips and 750 selections from around the world such as vodka, bourbon, scotch, rum, and gin. A beer bar offers craft beer, wine, and draft highballs.

Kirby Group culinary director Teddy Lopez’s menu features dishes such as ceviches, enchiladas, and tacos. Specific dishes include red chili tinga enchiladas, green tomatillo and poblano mole enchiladas, chips and queso, and a torta Milanesa with a choice of crispy beef or chicken topped with avocado, lime crema, and refried beans. Vegetarian items are also available.

Verde Garden will be the Harlow District’s first concept, but it won’t be alone for long. In the months to come, the development will include: Boca, a coffee shop; Sala Social House, a cocktail lounge; and Katami, a sushi-forward restaurant from Kata Robata chef Manabu Horiuchi in the former Vincent’s space. More tenants, including a occupant for the former Nino’s space, are expected to be announced soon.

Photo by Dustyn Zenner

It wouldn't be Tex-Mex without chips and salsa.

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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.

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