Two restaurant newbies celebrated summer openings, beginning with Bosscat Kitchen & Libation’s bars inside The James and The Ivy apartment buildings in River Oaks. Residents and guests can enjoy signature cocktails from Bosscat’s bar director Matt Sharp, plus an exclusive menu of light bites. More foodie fun awaited at Poitín, Sawyer Yards’ newest arrival. The restaurant’s grand-opening bash benefited the Orange Show Center for Visionary Art, and was full of funky touches like undercover comedians from The Secret Group and a drag show by Blackberri and friends. There was no shortage of beverages or bites — the pork belly apps were nicely washed down with colorful cocktails and beer from neighboring Holler Brewery and Green Flash Brewing Co.
THE ADAIR FAMILY is no stranger to longstanding, family-run restaurants. Run by siblings Nick Adair and Katie Barnhart, the Adair Concepts umbrella includes Skeeter's Mesquite Grille and Los Tios, plus a number of unique concepts like Adair Kitchen, Bebidas and Eloise Nichols. And now, the beloved breakfast destination Buffalo Grille, with locations in West U and on Voss, is part of the hospitality group.
For 40 years, Buffalo Grille has been a neighborhood go-to for breakfast; its patrons are loyal, celebrating milestones and casual Sunday brunch with delicious pancakes, biscuits and gravy, and huevos rancheros. “We want Buffalo Grille to continue as it was; as it is — classic neighborhood spots, each with its own unique history and habits," said Nick in a statement. "Those are the things we want to preserve as we go forward."
Adair Concepts plans to upgrade menu items with provisions such as organic eggs and fresh-squeezed orange juice, but there are no plans for an overhaul. “There is a cherished legacy here and that’s not changing," adds Katie.
However, the West U location — Buffalo Grille's original, which the Adair siblings frequented as kiddos — will soon also be home to an Adair Concepts bakery, which will provide buns and pastries for both Grilles, and also for other Adair restaurants.
As Adair Concepts expands — a third outpost of Adair Kitchen will open in San Antonio later this year — the siblings' dedication to preserving neighborhood charm and family-friendly environs will surely continue to pay off. “It’s more than a dining staple,” says Katie of Buffalo Grille. “It has an important place in the rituals of the neighborhood.”
Grilled chicken club sandwich
Nick Adair and Katie Barnhart
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WITH THE WET, dreary weather of late, facing the slow traffic and pounding rain can dampen any appetite for dining out. Even running to the grocery store sounds like a hassle.
Enter Hai Hospitality’s new Sushi at Home boxes, which can be picked up or delivered via Uber Eats. Hai is the Austin-based umbrella company for Uchi, Uchiba, Uchiko and Loro. There are three different boxes to choose from, beginning with the Ichi ($95). From the dedicated menu, guests can pick 12 pieces of perfectly dressed nigiri along with two makimono (rolls) and the signature hama chili crudo — an Uchi classic! The wonderful combination of savory yellowtail over juicy orange supreme with Thai chili and fruity ponzu is a summertime treat. This cool starter was on all the original Uchi menus, and they can’t take it off based on popularity.
The Ni box ($195) has everything the Ichi box has, plus a chirashi set with the following pieces of sashimi (plus accoutrements): Kanpachi, masu, bluefin otorotartare, ikura, sushi rice, cucumber, avocado, shiso, and negi.
And for a special occasion, the San ($295) has everything in the Ni box, plus two 15-gram servings each of kalugo hybrid and smoked trout roe. Accoutrements include potato chips, crème fraiche and two mother of pearl spoons — but of course!
Ariana Quant, Uchi’s executive pastry chef, took the lead in creating the boxes, which are presented in high style unlike your typical to-go order — it’s more like a gift you can’t wait to unwrap and devour. The boxes are available nationwide at Uchi, Uchiba and Uchiko locations.
The company continues to evolve customizable experiences like this, as well as its Uchi at Home Chef Experience, which accommodates gatherings of 10 to 30 guests. The Uchi chef will craft unique dishes and the staff will ensure all the details are taken care of during the culinary adventure.
Dinner at home just got a lot less boring!
Uchi's hama chili crudo
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