photo by Chris Nguyen
Starduster Lounge opens later this month, from White Oak Music Hall cofounder Will Thomas and Benjy Mason of Johnny's Gold Brick and Winnie's. The eclectic project is located at 3921 N. Main St., the former home to Spanish Flowers restaurant, and is designed to recall Texas in the '70s, with touches of cowboy and Tejano culture. The 1940s building has been reimagined as a wacky Tex-Western lounge, pulling inspiration from its past lives as a Latin music venue and Mexican restaurant. Expect vintage fixtures, hand-painted tiles, architectural details like archways, and a mural of a desert by local artist Carissa Marx-Beaty.
The space will be inviting to those who wish to kick back with a brewski and those who want to sip on a high-end cocktail alike. According to a release, a peek at the drink menu reveals a mix of agave spirits and whiskey, plus a tight list of fun and approachable cocktails from local bartender Justin Ware. (The Freezer Cosmo with hibiscus and lemongrass vodka sounds delish.)
As for food, there will be a rotating lineup of Houston food trucks to be parked outside.
Starduster Lounge bows late January and will be open until 2am nightly.
The Kitchen & Cantina menu touts beautifully executed classics like mesquite-grilled fajitas, enchiladas verdes, taquitos and mouthwatering combo platters, all made with hand-rolled tortillas, house-ground sausage and more. With existing locations in Memorial, the Heights and The Woodlands, it has garnered a following city-wide.
But there's something about the new River Oaks restaurant that goes beyond the basic margarita: Behind the main building, a "cavern-like" agave-focused bar will feature a drink list comprised of mezcal- and tequila-forward beverages, plus a menu of light bites like flautas and aguachile. More info about the forthcoming Bar Buena can be found on Instagram.
“We are excited to continue Goode Company’s journey and expand into the River Oaks community with this new location,” said Goode Company Chef and President Levi Goode in a statement. “We aim to create an inviting atmosphere where people can unwind, relax on our outdoor patio, enjoy some delicious food, or take in an excellently crafted cocktail at Bar Buena.”
Rendering of new Goode Co. Kitchen + Cantina (courtesy Brown McGregor Architects, Inc.)