Hudson House Brings East Coast Charm to Rice Village

Becca Wright
Hudson House Brings East Coast Charm to Rice Village

RICE VILLAGE JUST got a whole lot tastier.


On Wednesday, May 21st, Hudson House — the latest outpost from Vandelay Hospitality Group and its visionary Founder & CEO, Hunter Pond — opens between CB2 and Banana Republic. This marks the second Houston location for the upscale American eatery, following the success of its River Oaks sibling.

The 6,077-square-foot restaurant brings an East Coast sensibility with a distinctly Texan soul to one of the city’s most iconic neighborhoods. Think: oysters flown in daily, buttery lobster rolls, cheeseburgers with a cult following, and a surprising sushi menu.

Shaken or stirred, Hudson House’s bar delivers with its famous “World’s Coldest Martinis,” Frozen Bellinis, Spicy Mexican Margaritas, and a curated wine list. Don’t sleep on dessert—the key lime pie and chocolate silk pie are worth the trip alone.

“We’re looking forward to bringing a second Hudson House to Houston,” says Pond, the Dallas-based restaurateur whose bold, style-forward concepts have made Vandelay Hospitality Group a force in the Texas dining scene. “Rice Village offers an ideal background for our beloved coastal-inspired American cuisine.”

Open daily for lunch and dinner, Hudson House also offers a can’t-miss happy hour from 3–6 p.m. on weekdays, ideal for post-shopping cocktails.


Food

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.

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How did you get to where you are today? A few key principles integrated into my life: setting clear goals, maintaining a growth mindset, building strong habits, and surrounding myself with the right people. Goals provided direction, while a growth mindset helped me turn challenges into opportunities for learning. Consistent habits, like disciplined work and effective communication, kept me moving forward. Being surrounded by motivated, supportive individuals has elevated my standards and kept me accountable. They’ve provided advice, encouragement, and sometimes that extra push I needed to stay on track. With these elements, I’ve been able to create a framework that helps me succeed and ensures I continue to grow and evolve.

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