parties

Ben Berg in His 'Prime': Opens Lucky No. 13 with a Fun, Food-Filled Bash

Michelle Watson
Ben Berg in His 'Prime': Opens Lucky No. 13 with a Fun, Food-Filled Bash

Stacy and Jason Johnson

COMBINE AN INTERESTING location, pretty people, fab food and Ben Berg's prowess — and a bit of actual fire — and you have the grand opening bash for Houston's hottest new restaurant.

Dozens of foodies filed in to Prime 131, the live-fire steakhouse and sushi spot from Berg Hospitality, which recently opened in a revamped industrial space called The Docks at Timbergrove. Pulling inspo from New York's trendy Meatpacking District back when it was still a tad grungy in the '90s, Prime 131 welcomed guests with Cosmopolitans and Tequila Sunrises. Bites like tuna tartare and lobster toast were passed around the space, which was a factory in a previous life, while other food was cooked over open flame at live-fire stations — Wagyu sliders and New York Strip, to name a few.

Further setting the tone for a fun night was muralist Donkeeboy, who created a New York-street-art-inspired piece onsite, and tunes from DJ Bories, who played grunge and hip-hop tracks accompanied by a live saxophone.

Besides sampling the juicy offerings fresh off the grill, guests got to try a selection of premium sashimi, nigiri and signature rolls at the sushi bar. They later wandered into the private-dining space to find an entire room dedicated to decadent desserts like mini Basque cheesecakes and citrus-meringue tarts.

Berg himself took to the mic to thank guests for supporting the opening of his thirteenth restaurant, and sent them on their way with a fire-themed swag bag (think s'mores and Palos Santos sticks).

The evening benefited Southern Smoke Foundation.

Wesley & Cassie Sinor, Lesli & John Giannukos

Alan & Roz Pactor, Robin & Tom Segesta

Ben Berg

Shephard Ross, Jonathan Levine

Shelley Ludwick, Lisa Hoover

Cindy & Allen Case

Roz & Alan Pactor

Dana Barton, Robert Clay

Russell & Stacie Jones, Lisa & Tom Laird

Disney & Max Harris

Ellie Francisco, Ben Berg, Michael Francisco

Melanie Camp

Executive Pastry Chef Ruchit Harneja, Leigh & Franck Savoy

John & Kristen Berger

Gail McCleese, Bradley Lau

Meg Reynolds, Sarah Schriever

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