Andiron Grille & Patio, 3201 Allen Parkway, opened November 23 as a reimagined, more casual eatery than its previous iteration, Andiron. Originally opened in 2023 by Sambrooks Hospitality, Andiron was a live-fire upscale steakhouse and seafood restaurant. Owner Michael Sambrooks and his team, however, took some of the feedback from locals and regular customers who were keen on an approachable, more laid-back neighborhood spot.
With the rebranding comes a new, inviting patio that Sambrooks believes will offer the perfect opportunity on a larger scale for guests to be able to stop by for a bite or drink any day of the week. He said in a press release, “Our vision for Andiron Grille & Patio is to cultivate an inviting atmosphere where great food, drinks and everyday dining come together.”
The new menu from executive chef Michael O’Connor will reflect the switch to a more wallet-friendly experience that still delivers the robust live-fire flavors of its original concept while offering guests tavern-style dishes and shareables. The whole table can indulge in snacks such as house-made griddle bread, mussels with yellow curry and serrano pepper or a meat and cheese board with Chef O’Connor’s seasonal selections. There are light snacks such as chips and nuts or heartier plates like a bratwurst sausage roll with marrow onions.
Classic steakhouse options are still available such as the steak tartare with crispy chips and egg yolk and Andiron’s version of steak frites. And patrons who loved the steak program at the original Andiron will still find an a la carte list of high quality meats including filet, ribeye and strip steaks plus affordable and unique cuts of A5 wagyu. A couple of other fan favorites remain on the menu including the Andiron Burger and prime rib sandwich. The option to add a side of house-seasoned skinny fries is a must especially since it comes with ketchup, bearnaise and spicy mayo sauces for dipping.
It’s not all about beef, however. There’s a new twist on the roasted chicken with corn salsa. Seafood lovers will enjoy options like fresh oysters, branzino with brown butter fumet and an interesting version of Crab Napoleon.
Andiron’s head bartender, Angel Bautista, who helped launch the restaurant last year, has recently returned from a stint in Mexico City at Handshake Speakeasy which has been described as the Best Bar in the World by the World’s 50 Best. The new bar program includes carbonated cocktails like the Guanabana and the Vie En Ver, a colorful blend of gin, mezcal, green chartreuse, cucumber, ginger and a citrus blend. Some former faves remain as well including its signature Appletini.
The wine list at the newly imagined grill will be more value-driven with selections being closer to market price, allowing for a wider variety of unique wines.
The new patio was designed by AvroKO, the firm responsible for the restaurant’s interior space as well. The patio covering can be adjusted for maximum shade and 50 urns full of lush greenery join a vine wall of jasmine to create an oasis in the middle of Allen Parkway. There’s a separate outdoor bar, a mix of seating plus a central fire pit as the temps begin to drop in Houston.
Beans & Brews Coffeehouse, 20314 Franz, began its soft opening in Katy November 18 and now has set the date for its grand opening celebration December 18. The newest store is owned by first-time franchise owners Ashley and Thomas Perrin and they’re just getting started. The couple signed a deal with the drive-thru coffee company to open a dozen in total throughout the Greater Houston area over the next ten years. The duo already have a second location underway, expected to open in Cypress this December, followed by a third in Fulshear in January 2025. Thomas, a former U.S. Marine and supply chain professional, and Ashley, a former ICU nurse, will oversee a territory that includes, Katy, Cypress, Tomball, Hockley and Bryan College Station.
CEO of Beans & Brews, Doug Willmarth, said of the couple, ” Their passion for coffee, combined with their dedication to serving the community perfectly aligns with our values. We look forward to their success as they help expand our brand in Texas.”
The coffee brand first opened in Salt Lake city, Utah where it gained recognition as the ‘Home of High-Altitude Roasting’. The company roasts all its coffee in the Salt Lake Mountain valley at the lowest possible temperature for the least amount of time possible, resulting in a smooth and intense flavor. In addition to its coffee drinks, it offers a full menu of teas along with frozen drinks, sodas and a selection of healthy food items.
For the Katy grand opening, local teachers will receive free coffee vouchers.
Meo Bar, 1848 Airline, has reopened after a temporary closure in order to revamp the menu and refresh the speakeasy concept itself. Tucked behind its big sister Asian fusion restaurant Wokker, the bar is accessed behind its money cat entrance and is a visual and culinary experience. With custom art pieces like 9-foot fish sculptures and a striking mural of a lotus pond, it offers a reprieve from the outside world where friends or couples can gather for a cocktail and conversation, along with modern Vietnamese cuisine.
The updated food menu from executive chef Man Dao, co-founder of Wokker food truck, features new dishes like the Tumeric Roasted Fish (bun ca nuong) served with vermicelli rolls, Asian herbs, peanuts and tamarind nuroc cham. For starters there are plates like Pork Eggroll with wood ear mushrooms and Green Mango Salad with peanuts and kumquat dressing. New entrees include Crispy Pork Belly and a lemongrass-seasoned, three-rib Pan Fried Porkchop.
In charge of the bar is Mohammed Rahman who was named Bartender of the Year by Eater Houston in 2015. Drawing on his global travels, he has created some new cocktails and mocktails for the revamped menu. Speakeasy guests will find drinks like the Ban-Archy, made with banana liqueur, bourbon, lemon and cardamom. Its signature dark matter is crafted with black garlic shoyu, gin, fig leaf tincture and lime poured over balsamic-painted ice.
For non-alcoholic bar drinks, there is the fruity Xe Om made with strawberry shrub, orange, coconut and soda or the An Do, a lychee and tamarind mocktail flavored with garam masala and lemon.
City Brew Tours will launch its first Houston beer tour December 14. First founded in Burlington, Vermont in 2008 by Chad Brodsky (could a beer bro have a better handle?) who discovered his love for craft beer while studying in Vienna, Austria. Now that passion has extended to 22 cities across North America.
The brand has landed here in Texas because the Lone Star State is home to over 360 craft breweries making it number three in the nation. Houston itself boasts 65 breweries in Harris County and the surrounding area.
The tours will take beer lovers through some of the city’s best-loved breweries such as True Anomoly Brewing, Spindletap Brewery, Deca Beer Company, Gristworkz, 8th Wonder, New Magnolia Brewing, Elderson Brewing, Big Owl Craft Brew House/Turkey Forrest Brewing and Frost Town. Each tour will feature three local beer houses.
Beer aficionados can get more information at the City Brew tours website. The landing page for the Houston tours is currently under construction.
Tea Around Town will debut its double-decker bus tea service December 5, leaving from 500 McKinney. The afternoon tea tour originated in New York City and now, it has rolled into Houston ready to provide a lavish double-decker bus for transportation around Houston’s most iconic landmarks and unique sights.
The tour is 90 minutes long and suitable for guests of all ages. Participants will receive an assortment of fine teas and treats plus live entertainment as the bus rolls by POST Houston, the Downtown Aquarium, City Hall, Minute Maid Park (soon-to-be Daikin Park), Discovery Green, the Theater District and much more.
The tours are available with a Petite ($85) or Luxe ($125) menu option. Checkout its website for more information and tour times.
Restaurants Reported Open November 2024:
The Annie Cafe & Bar, George Bush Intercontinental Airport, opened November 21
Chilangos Brothers Taco Shop #2, 9355 ng Point, opened October 23
11 Below Brewing, 2606 Spring Cypress, opened September 3
Emma Jane, 1226 W. Clay, opened November 8
Herand’s Kitchen, 2601 Baylor, opened early November
Kaiten Sushi Ginza Onadera, 12270 Westheimer, opened November 16
The Kennedy, 3210 W. Dallas, opened mid-November
Local Foods Market, 6100 Main, opened November 20
Medium Rare, 3201 Louisiana, opened November 25
PJ’s Coffee, 5822 Sienna Parkway, opened November 22
Tenfold, 1550 Lamar, opened November 19
Restaurants Reported Closed November 2024:
Cecil’s Pub, 600 W. Gray, closed November 10
Post Oak Grill, 1415 S. Post Oak, closed late October
This article appears in Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2024.
