LEVI GOODE, HEAD honcho of Goode Company Restaurants, has secretly been working for years on his first standalone projects under his own personal brand. Credence and Sidebar will be adjacent to each other in The McKinley at Memorial City, debuting during the summer of 2024.

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“Credence and Sidebar are unlike any Goode Co. concepts,” said chef and owner Levi Goode. “They are reflective of my experiences as a restaurateur and chef and draw inspiration from my family’s heritage. It’s exciting to pull back the curtain and celebrate where we are headed.”

Credence is a South-Texas-ranch-inspired, upscale concept serving regional American fare reflecting Texas culinary traditions and live-fire cooking rooted in classic cooking techniques. A two-time James Beard nominated restaurateur, Goode drew inspiration for Credence from cooking with his grandmother and father, hunting, travels, his education — and 20-plus years steering Goode Company Restaurants.

“The development of this new brand and its subsequent concepts adds a new dimension to our company that allows for more sustainability and creativity with the goal of bringing Texas together — communally, culturally and culinarily. I’ll remain president of Goode Company Restaurants and with an additional focus on the Levi Goode brand.”

Live-fire cooking will be at the center of the menu at Credence, with dishes like the fire-roasted seafood tower, dry-aged duck for two, and hearth-roasted swordfish on the bone. From the finest dry-aged prime beef and traditional dishes from Texas ranches to the Gulf Coast, each plate will be presented with elevated style. Dishes will be Southern in spirit, with some designed to be shared, encouraging communal dining and gathering around the table.

The cocktail and wine menu at Credence is designed to pair effortlessly with the dishes. Guests can anticipate elevated riffs on classic cocktails such as a seasonal take on a Paloma, a re-tweaked Negroni, and a fun take on vermouth and soda. Classic cocktails will be served alongside Credence-specific creations like West Texas Parisa, hearth-roasted bone marrow, and spring-mushroom-and-cornbread gnocchi.

Meanwhile, speakeasy-style Sidebar was inspired by the Texas oil boom of the early 1900s. This reservation-only restaurant and cocktail bar will feature well-executed classic cocktails, big, bold wines and highly allocated Champagne. House-infused spirits and garnishes picked and peeled by hand will complement the rich ingredients of every drink.

Wines from classic producers, regions and styles, and a wide selection of old-world selections are planned to complement the food at Sidebar. Special cocktails like a classic gin martini served with a sidecar and garnishes, a Pink Lady with an elegant Texan twist, and reworked Old Fashioneds and Manhattans will be on offer. The food menu will boast classic American fare with luster, featuring dry-aged steaks, oysters topped with caviar, and more.

“My hope is that both Credence and Sidebar serve as local havens where people can come together and enjoy a good meal, a handmade cocktail and a good time. We’re excited to continue to serve the Memorial area of Houston, which has been so good to us,” says Goode.

Exceptional hospitality will be the standard at both restaurants, with an emphasis on traditional tableside service for salads, carved meats from the hearth, desserts, and more. Credence and Sidebar will both feature indoor and patio seating. Goode has tapped international architecture firm Gensler to design the project.