food news

Bacon-Washed Tequila, Japanese Shaved Ice, Insane Milkshakes and More Must-Haves from Five Newbies Bowing Now

Bacon-Washed Tequila, Japanese Shaved Ice, Insane Milkshakes and More Must-Haves from Five Newbies Bowing Now

Kira (photo via @kirahtx)

SCHOOL IS STARTING, travel is slowing, and restaurants are in high gear for fall. When you’re ready to hit the town, here are a handful of newcomers including side by side gems from Levi Goode, more Japanese, and a sweet Insta-ready brasserie that has celebs talking and everyone else clicking.

Credence

Credence (photo by Brian Kennedy)

After much anticipation, restaurateur Levi Goode’s two new upscale concepts — Credence and Sidebar, the first under his own name — will open Aug. 20 on the ground level of The McKinley in Memorial City. Both emphasize hospitality with traditional tableside service for salads, carved meats from the hearth, desserts and more. Credence’s menu is South Texas ranch-inspired with regional American fare paying homage to Texas culinary traditions and live-fire. Think Fire Roasted Seafood Tower, Sweetwater Whole Duck and Wild Gulf Snapper served with trout roe, cooked on a custom-made hearth. Expect an extensive raw bar, and at brunch, look for Southern classics like shrimp and grits.

Sidebar

Sidebar (photo by Brian Kennedy)

Inspired by the Texas oil boom of the early 1900s, Sidebar is a reservation-only restaurant and cocktail bar. The food menu spotlights classic elevated American fare with dishes like dry-aged steaks, oysters topped with caviar and more. Designed in partnership with Gensler, Credence and Sidebar are influenced by classical European architecture, with a procession of arches used as a central design feature throughout and a double barrel-vaulted ceiling. Locally crafted tabletops, wood floors, brass inlays, penny tile and hand-selected antique rugs are additional polished elements with swagger. Find patio seating at Sidebar as well as Credence.

Kira

Kira

New to Upper Kirby, Kira from Comma Hospitality follows on the heels of the group’s contemporary Japanese omakase hideaway, Neo. The sushi bar features hand rolls with a soundtrack of Japanese city pop. Interiors are designed to evoke the tranquil, powerful nature of a cave, creating an intimate dining environment to focus on the culinary and auditory experience. Menu highlights include a Seasonal Sashimi Set with swordfish from Nova Scotia, kanpachi from Kyushu, and madai from Mie, Japan; a lox bagel temaki with applewood smoked ocean trout, chives, and freeze-dried sour cream; and scallop crudo. Premium donburi with uni, maguro, ikura, masu, and kasusuke pickles, and seasonal Kakigori made using a Japanese shaved ice maker are other specialties. Cocktails are inventive, like the 15 Step made with applewood-bacon-washed tequila, cucumber and yuzu.

Plume

Plume (photo by Michael Anthony)

Houston’s bar industry seems to be competing for showiest cocktail lounge, so no surprise another one has taken flight. This high-energy cocktail bar in the Heights, the first project from Golden Ratio Hospitality Group, sports peacock panache in Art-Deco-inspired interiors. "Plume is designed to make you feel at home, whether you're out with friends or on a date," said co-owner Ted Baker. Getting thirsty? The Chili Kissed Avocado Margarita is made with chili-oil-washed tequila and avocado cordial with a rim of chamoy and spicy salt. Rich and Dirty is fashioned with Kastra Elion Vodka, extra-virgin vermouth, and housemade olive brine, shaken and served with a blue-cheese-stuffed olive. Tapas-style bites run the gamut from meatballs in chipotle ragoût with Parmesan to bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with Stilton.

Sugar Factory American Brasserie

Smoky goblets, mountainous sundaes and eye-popping brunch featuring every color of the rainbow (really!) have made their way to Houston’s Galleria, and shoppers seem to be curious what the celeb hype is about. Said to be a favorite of the Kardashians, comedian Kevin Hart and Britney Spears, the international hotspot specializing in sugar offers savory American classics as well (we all know celebs don’t eat sweets). Anticipate Angus burgers with “super cheesy sauce,” Cajun penne Alfredo, and salads like pan-roasted salmon. Splurge-worthy “Insane Milkshakes” are massive and topped with the kitchen sink – there’s a waffle ice cream version, and even one for Barbie!

From Your Site Articles
Food
promoted

Consistent Focus on the Patient Is What Sets Montrose Med Spa Apart

Consistent Focus on the Patient Is What Sets Montrose Med Spa Apart

Owner Maricela Olivo and Montrose Med Spa

WHAT MAKES MONTROSE Med Spa stand apart from the competition? We set ourselves apart from the competition by being consistently focused on one thing: the patient. With that focus, we will succeed in a successful and healthy experience and loyalty to Montrose Med Spa. Staying true to our message of intentional wellness is a point of difference where I see other spas being unclear and distracted in their direction. By listening to our patients, we ensure we meet and exceed their expectations. We continually stay on top of the market by offering the best innovative body sculpting and skin treatments that invigorate and energize and are specifically designed to restore balance and strength and renew youth to the body. We also utilize a number of marketing programs to stay on the minds of our guests, including radio, TV, direct mail, email blasts, and unique invitations for exclusive treatments. One element that helps to establish the bar and sets us apart from our competition is our emphasis on providing a complete medical gym experience—from the varied treatments with Emsculpt Neo to a personalized health and wellness and skin evaluation for each individual by our certified staff. We also provide a noninvasive, pain-free, and needle-free facelift through EMFace in addition to offering monthly beauty memberships that create a commitment to the overall wellbeing of the patient.

Keep Reading Show less
travel

Private, Unplugged and Ultra-Luxe, This Resort in the Maldives Is a Must

Surf lessons are taught by handsome Australian instructors

THE PERSONAL SERVICE starts as soon as guests clear customs at the Maldives’ Malé Velana international airport. Visitors are whisked away in a speedboat to the Gili Lankanfushi resort, reminiscent of the opening scene of a new White Lotus season. While sipping a ginger juice, guests’ shoes are taken off and feet are cleaned. Then they’re handed back their belongings, in a bag labeled “No news, no shoes” — Gili’s mantra.

Keep Reading Show less
People + Places
real estate

Summer Real Estate Report: Buying High in Houston’s Hottest 'Hoods

Listed by Kim Perdomo with the Perdomo Group, 290 Knipp was under contract after just five days.

IS A HEALTHY, balanced real estate market finally here? Per HAR data, the answer is ... kind of? Inventory is at the highest level since 2011, prices are holding steady, and the city and metro area continue to grow in population. Having lost population after Harvey and Covid, the city welcomes significant yet sustainable growth — and a housing market that can handle it.

Keep Reading Show less
Home + Real Estate