Making Merry

Boasting both Big Easy flair and old-school Montrose neighborhoody charm, new Eugene’s is a must-hit for the holidays.

Leah Wilson
Fresh Oysters_1
Fresh Oysters_1

One of Houston’s most famous purveyors of rich regional food has reappeared after a brief hiatus — in one of Houston’s most old-school neighborhood spaces. Just in time for the holidays!


The former Danton’s on Montrose Boulevard, a bastion of traditional preparations of seafood and steaks that packed in chatty regulars nightly, has reopened as Eugene’s Gulf Coast Cuisine in the cozy environs of the beloved former Mockingbird Bistro, on a residential corner of Welch Street, on the western edge of Montrose that some folks swear is actually River Oaks. And so far, says owner Kyle Teas, who named the new place after his dad, it’s been a runaway hit, with big crowds breaking down roughly 50/50 between the old Danton’s faithful and the former Mockingbird set from down the block.

The menu and the gold-gilding-happy space itself — the latter currently festooned with even more glittering regalia than usual for the Yuletide — call to mind the best old family-run haunts of New Orleans. (One feels nearly naked without a tinkling bourbon drink in hand.) Which is funny, since neither Teas nor anyone in his family orbit is from the Big Easy. But try telling that to the sautéed Shrimp Kyle with lemon and garlic and Parmesan bread “for soppin’,” says the menu. Many of the best apps and entrees make use of similar combos of butter, garlic, acid and fresh Gulf goodness; many others are straight from Louisiana lore, as in Red Beans and Rice, the spicy seafood stew called Courtboullion, and oysters baked on the half-shell with cured tasso ham and, again, garlic butter.

It’s easy to predict that enjoying a festive holiday meal at Eugene’s may well become a new holiday tradition. Who could argue that a luxurious seafood feast, in a festive room packed with revelers, isn’t in the spirit?

Food+Travel
Leadership in Action: ‘Family, Community and Spiritual Connection’ Drives Success for Henry Richardson

How did you get to where you are today? The present moment is a combined history of my family, my time as an athlete, my passion for learning, and my desire to see the world be better. I grew up as a successful springboard and platform diver, however, an injury caused me to seek alternative treatments to heal my body. In that process, I discovered the power of yoga, exercise, meditation, mindset, and nutrition. This holistic approach eventually led me to open a Pilates and cycling studio called DEFINE body & mind. I opened studios around the nation, and after selling most of my business between 2017-2019, I was ready to explore how I could make an even greater impact on the wellbeing of our community. In 2023, I started actively working on a brand new multi-family/apartment concept called, Define Living. The idea focused on offering health and wellness services within a beautiful apartment setting to increase the wellbeing of our residents. Having a strong sense of community is the number one factor in living a happy life, so why not build a community where daily fitness, cooking classes, and social connection are the norm? We opened Define Living in March of 2024, and we couldn’t be happier with how things are being received. We are already looking at building more concepts like this in the Houston area and beyond.

Keep Reading Show less

Lady Stephanie Kimbrell, Cory McGee, and Butler Studio artists, Ani Kushyan, Alissa Goretsky and Elizabeth Hanje (photo by Michelle Watson)

ALL OF THE top performing arts organizations in Houston have now officially opened their 2024-2015 seasons, now that Houston Grand Opera has bowed with a stirring performance of Verdi’s Il trovatore at The Wortham followed by a lavish al fresco dinner in a tent on the plaza out front.The Houston Ballet and the Houston Symphony held their own grand opening night festivities earlier in the fall.

Keep Reading Show less
Art+Culture

Photo by Lynn Lane

HOUSTON GRAND OPERA’S second fall repertoire production is Gioachino Rossini’s Cinderella. The colorful, commedia dell'arte-inspired production opens Friday, Oct. 25, and stars Grammy Award-winning mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard — a breathtaking brunette beauty, even when doused in soot — in bel canto role of Angelina, known to her mean step-sisters as “Cenerentola.”

Keep Reading Show less
Art + Entertainment