The Round Top Spring Antiques Show is well underway! Fancy hats and polished boots continue to lead the sartorial tradition as anticipated, with gaggles of vintage and antiques lovers filing into town. Unfortunately, another longstanding tradition in Round Top is the lack of overnight accommodations. While rapidly improving, those without very advanced reservations will often times find themselves without anywhere to stay. Happily, there is a solution a mere 27 miles east of town — Bellville.
A recent visit left this author with somewhat retrograde “FOMO.” Coming to terms with the excellent meals, antique finds, and perfect matcha lattes that have been missed by not taking the Bellville exit on countless drives from Houston to Round Top is a hard pill to swallow.
Where to eat
Chef Cody Vasek is the culinary mind behind Bellville’s Twenty-Two North Holland restaurant. His extensive resume includes times working for multiple Michelin-star holder chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten and being recruited for the role of executive chef for the Von Trapp family — yes, that Von Trapp family. In October 2020, he opened Twenty-Two North Holland to create dining experiences that revolve solely around Texas ingredients.
Twenty-Two North Holland is truly a farm-to-table concept, and a successful one at that. The restaurant's menu evolves with the changing seasons, focusing on sustainable fresh ingredients. The Spanish Moss Smokehouse is on the same family land chef Vasek’s family smoked meats on back in 1874, the wagyu and angus beef raised locally by his uncle and cousin. The list goes on and on, but rest assured, there is nothing in the kitchen that is not Texas native. A full list of vendors is available here.
Located in a historically-recognized hotel from the 1850s, Twenty-Two North’s open kitchen allows chef Vasek to wave to regulars while keeping a keen eye on patrons as their dishes make their way from kitchen to table. Expect portion sizes that recall a visit to the home of a grandmother who vehemently disapproves of diet culture.
One highlight from Twenty-Two North Holland’s menu is the smoked fish dip that’s made with post oak smoked fish collars and roasted garlic-lemon cream cheese. Served in a generous copper pot alongside a zesty pickled vegetable crudite with crispy grilled baguette, this dish is not to be missed.
Where to stay
One of chef Vasek’s local vendors is Ives Creek Organics. Just a six minute drive from Bellville Square, this organic, aquaponic farm supplies Houston restaurants such as Rosie Cannonball, Ostia, and Coltivare. An adorable three bedroom, two bath guesthouse sits on the property, complete with a fire pit lounge area, hot tub, and tree swing. Guests are invited to tour the farm and will find that the guesthouse includes perks such as local coffees, a Vremi ice maker, and a Berley water filter — expect no less from an organic farm. Plus, farm-fresh eggs nest in the fridge. Just be sure to wander over to the coop to thank the chickens.
Where to shop
Bellville Square has an entire day’s worth of shops to discover; the buildings are all original and are worth a peek themselves. The Gathery is both a good place to begin and finish. Open all day, it’s easy to start with a blueberry-lemon scone in the morning, and end with a glass of wine in the evening. They also sell an impressive selection of vintage boots, hats, and belts — complete with interesting buckles.
The shops all sell a little bit of everything from clothing and fine jewelry, to vintage and antiques, plus locally sourced soaps, candles, and honey. Expect to spend a while at Nothing Ordinary Antiques & Oddities, as it’s larger than the others and filled to the brim with finds from Europe, as well as resin-encased specimens and old world taxidermy. Buck Ferguson Originals sells all things new. Split down the middle, shop clothing and accessories on one side, and furniture and home decor on the other.
The square is full of adorable “mom-and-pop-shops” to explore, plus a museum. Take a load off at Huff Brewing while consolidating shopping bags. Not up for a draught? Their root beer is a local favorite.
Fans of the History Channel show Forged in Fire will be pleased to learn that Cowboy Szymanski runs his own blacksmith shop and educational center Phenix Knives right off of Main Street. Formerly located next door in Bellville’s original blacksmith shop (now Tiptop Woodshop), Szymanski recently opened his new, fully ADA accessible location in order to expand his demonstrations and workshops to all, including opportunities for scouts from all over to earn their badges. Spend an hour over an anvil and forge a selection of four blades from a horseshoe. It’s quite the souvenir. On April 5th and 6th, Phenix Knives will be hosting the Texas Select Custom Cutlery Event featuring knife makers from all over the country.
Those up for a drive off of the square should plan a visit to Newman’s Castle. This private home, turned day-trip destination, is owned by the same family as local favorite Newman’s Bakery. The castle features a real moat, a fully-functioning drawbridge, and other fantastic medieval-inspired features. Reservations are required and lunch is provided, but be aware that properly exploring the castle and grounds will consume close to two hours of the day.
Houstonians on the hunt for bluebonnets should note that the 42nd annual Bluebonnet Ball will be held in Bellville on Saturday, April 26. Until then, the lot next door to Twenty-Two North Holland is already bursting with bluebonnets. Come for the ‘gram, stay for the meal!
