Berg’s All-Day Neighborhood Diner NoPo Café Opens Today

Berg’s All-Day Neighborhood Diner NoPo Café Opens Today

Antipasto Pizza (photo by Kirsten Gilliam)

RESTAURATEUR BEN BERG'S latest concept, NoPo Café, Market & Bar, opens today in a neighborhood between Spring Branch and Timbergrove that he hopes to rebrand as, well, NoPo, a.k.a. North Post Oak. The new concept serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and also offers a retail aspect and a full-service bar — and in a pocket of Houston that is underserved by restaurants, nightlife and grocery stores, it's certainly a welcome addition.


Situated in a red-brick building on North Post Oak Boulevard, next-door to Berg Hospitality's corporate HQ, NoPo Café boasts a "French-country" design scheme, with white birch floors and a six-seat pewter bar, and "well rounded menus that offer something for everyone," per Jose Hernandez.

Hernandez, the restaurant group's newly appointed culinary director, was previously the exec chef of the now-shuttered Hotel Alessandra's acclaimed Lucienne. He's brought his flavorful touch to breakfast dishes like quinoa bowls, quiches and Tommy's hash skillet, made with B&B Butchers' famous Chef Tommy's bacon; lunch items like a blue-cheese-topped beet salad and a juicy burger with caramelized onions; and dinner plates such as barbecue-glazed pork ribs and braised-beef ravioli. Hernandez's prior experience as a high-end pastry chef is also evident in the dessert selection, with a rotating fruit-tart-of-the-day and classics like crème brulee. Expect fast-casual counter service for breakfast and lunch, and full sit-down service for dinner; all three meals can be enjoyed in the dining room or on the patio.

Hernandez also crafted specialties available at the grab-and-go-style market. Walk in and snag a fruit-and-cheese "bento box" or Greek yogurt parfait for breakfast, and single-serving spaghetti and meatballs, chicken caprese and pasta primavera, and more than a dozen sandwiches and half-dozen salads for lunch and dinner. Tubs of pre-made pasta, potato, chicken or egg salad are also available.

Open weekdays from 7am-9pm and Saturday from 3-9pm, NoPo Café is Berg's first Houston venture north of I-10, but his Trattoria Sofia is set to open in the Heights in August.

Ricotta Tortellini

Avocado Toast

Chocolate Mousse

Food
Leadership in Action: For Bianca Bucaram, ‘Strong Network and Family’ Are Essential

Bianca Bucaram, founder of The Bucaram PR Group and BXM Music

Get to Know Bianca:

Bianca Bucaram, founder of The Bucaram PR Group and BXM Music, is a dynamic force in the public relations industry. She is known for her tenacity, empathy, and bilingual communication skills. As a local publicist with national reach, she blends local insights with broader impact, telling compelling stories that foster business growth and create opportunities.

Keep Reading Show less

Morris Smith, Tilman Fertitta and Toni Smith

THE HOUSTON CHILDREN'S Charity gala is always anticipated, thanks to the big-deal musical acts brought in to entertain; this year it was Chicago. But the headliners this year were the generous donors, who seemed to surprise even event organizer with their largesse, with a total till of $6.2 million, a record.

Keep Reading Show less
Party People

EVEN THOUGH WE hope things cool down outside, some folks in Houston are about to get even hotter with the arrival of trendy fitness studio Ritual One next month in Uptown Park. The Dallas-based concept will offer classes like Power Sculpt, Hot Pilates, Power Yoga, Inferno Flow, and Inferno HIIT — all taking place in its infrared-heated studios.

Keep Reading Show less
Style