This Week's Food News: Heights Fave Pours Last Drink, River Oaks Cowboys Up, and More!

This Week's Food News: Heights Fave Pours Last Drink, River Oaks Cowboys Up, and More!

Ben Berg's sit-down restaurant at The Rodeo (photo by Jenn Duncan)

AS H-TOWN GETS ready to Rodeo, restaurants are unveiling seasonal specials, fun events — and, as in the case of one longstanding Heights-area spot, last call. Read on for the week's tastiest food news!

1751 Will Close March 4

1751 (photo by Jenn Duncan)

Sambrooks Management, the hospitality group that owns The Pit Room, Candente and 1751, announced yesterday that the gin-driven concept 1751 Sea and Bar, located on Heights Boulevard near I-10, will serve its last customers March 4. The executive chef, Matt Young, will transition into a corporate chef role at Sambrooks Management, which is expanding with Andiron steakhouse off Allen Parkway and a second location of the Pit Room later this year. “We certainly hope we can bring this concept back to life at a later date, but for now we would like to thank our customers who enjoyed 1751’s progressive small plate dining experience for a great run," said Michael Sambrooks in a release. "We are happy that due to our expansion we can offer jobs to all of our great 1751 employees at our new or existing locations. We hope our loyal customers and fans will come out for one final meal in our remaining two weeks of service.” Those who hope to dine at 1751 before it shutters are encouraged to make a reservation.

Shake Shack Goes High-End with VIP Truffle Table

Truffle Table

Shake Shack's Rice Village location will transform into a white-tablecloth dining experience for four nights, Feb. 27-March 2. For $20 per person, the Truffle Table seated dinner features a prix-fixe version of the chain's new White Truffle menu — featuring a white truffle burger and shroom burger with parm fries and white-truffle sauce — served on fine china and with unlimited beverages. Party favors include a bottle of Regalis truffle oil. Only 10 Shake Shack locations across the U.S. will participate in the Truffle Table experience. Make a reservation here.

River Oaks District Hosts Rodeo Kickoff Event

River Oaks District (photo by Alex Montoya)

This Saturday from 12-3pm, River Oaks District hosts the Rodeo Roundup kickoff, celebrating the arrival of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, at its new greenspace dubbed The Park. There will be festive cotton candy courtesy of Texas Sugar Fluff, cocktails from the aptly named Cocktail Cowboy, sliders from Hopdoddy and more. Rising-star country singer Dean Paul Willeford will also perform.

Phat Eatery Adds Brunch

Phat Eatery (photo by Jenn Duncan)

Katy Asian Town staple Phat Eatery, which expands soon with a second location in The Woodlands, is now serving weekend brunch. From 11am-4pm on Saturday and Sunday, guests can enjoy a new selection of Malaysian-inspired dim sum and more. Brunch items include Grilled Pork Toast — an open-face baguette sandwich with Chinese sausage, snow peas, peppers and onions — and egg-stuffed veggie dumplings.

Ben Berg's Sit-Down Rodeo Resto Reopens Next Week

The Ranch (photo by Jenn Duncan)

The Ranch Saloon + Steakhouse from Berg Hospitality reopens Feb. 28, beginning its three-week run as the Rodeo's only sit-down restaurant. This year, Rodeo-goers can choose from two different dining experiences: The Saloon will be a first-come, first-served casual spot with a full bar, covered patio and nightly live music, while the Steakhouse is traditional fine-dining (reservations highly recommended). Also new this year is The Ranch After Dark, a DJ-fueled nightlife experience with lounge tables, bottle service and more, from 10pm 'til close.

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

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

Symphony Springs to Life with Floral-Fabulous Fete

Jacob Power and Priscilla Dickson

Chairs Brady and Zane Carruth, Brittany and Adam Clark

IT ALREADY FEELS like spring in Houston and the spring social season is here with it! 375 guests donned in white-tie flocked to The Post Oak Hotel for the annual Houston Symphony Ball, one of the city’s most anticipated and A-list galas.

Keep Reading Show less
Parties

THE TRUFFLE MASTERS is returning for its 11th year on March 3rd. Now a Houston tradition of sorts, the competition sees top chefs creating a dish using black truffles all benefitting Southern Smoke.

Keep Reading Show less