food

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

From Your Site Articles
Food
promoted

Leadership in Action: ‘Family, Community and Spiritual Connection’ Drives Success for Henry Richardson

Al Torres

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.

Keep Reading Show less
promoted

Leadership in Action: ‘Setting Clear Goals’ Among Secrets of Success for Attorney Jess Bailey

Al Torres

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.

Keep Reading Show less
People + Places