AS with a hide-and-seek recreation, half the enjoyable of eating at a number of the metropolis’s trending sizzling spots is discovering them. A wave of new eating places and cocktail bars have opened in Houston that mimic the speakeasy-style ideas which have lengthy been well-liked in New York Metropolis, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles. These institutions might not appear like a lot at first, however a deeper dive reveals a ritzy eating room or a glamorous cocktail bar.
In a metropolis stuffed with retail strips, it may be refreshing to discover a distinctive vacation spot tucked away from the chaos of the skin world. Take a look at Houstonia’s picks of a number of the metropolis’s best-kept-secret eating places and bars.
Downtown
Downtown’s posh 4 Seasons Lodge homes two food-and-drink locations: the foyer bar, Bayou & Bottle, and Toro Toro, helmed by superstar chef Richard Sandoval. But it surely additionally boasts an ultra-exclusive cocktail bar hidden behind a mock bookcase. Bandista, the resort’s new 20-seat bar, is an upscale speakeasy—one which requires a secret numerical code to enter. As soon as inside, patrons can expertise the bar’s modern cocktail program, together with drinks poured over dry ice and introduced in classic glassware. There are uncommon spirits, with pours priced as excessive as $8,000, and cocktails giant sufficient for {couples} to share. A seat on the bar permits friends to witness the entire considerate prep that goes into crafting drinks, however the intimate house boasts a snug lounge space with nighttime views of the town. Bandista is reservation-only, with friends receiving a affirmation by textual content and directions on how you can be escorted up.
Galleria
What seems to be a comedian e-book retailer on the skin is an omakase-only eating expertise in Uptown, appropriately named Hidden Omakase. The multicourse expertise is exactly that: an expertise from begin to end, and with solely two seatings per night time, it is among the hottest chef-led dinners on the town. Upon getting into the entrance door, friends discover themselves in a eating room anchored by a big, wraparound sushi bar with solely 14 seats. Within the middle of the room, chef Niki Vongthong and her group of expert sushi cooks put together course after course, hand-delivering items of 11-day aged fish, Wagyu nigiri, noodle bowls, and extra to every diner. The mounted menu leaves no room for modifications or substitutions, however friends can select from a whole a la carte menu of add-ons, together with hand rolls and foie gras, ought to they be hungry for extra.
Galleria
Whereas it might appear like this cinema performs the entire previous classics, there is just one characteristic presentation right here: Juliet. Past its retro movie-theater façade, full with a lit-up marquee, a ticket window, and a concession stand, Juliet is an upscale, trendy American restaurant boasting old-Hollywood glam. Movie stills adorn the partitions; the movie-inspired menu sections off into Preview, Predominant Occasion, and Co-Stars; and as an alternative of bread service, friends are given bowls of popcorn when they’re seated. Curated by beverage specialists Women of Libation, the cocktail program options Insta-worthy drinks, and save room for the Credit: Juliet touts a spherical chocolate dessert with dulce de leche and bourbon caramel that may make you need to return for a sequel. Simply please do not ask when the movie will probably be proven.
Kanpai Membership
Heights
With solely 10 seats inside a slim, 400-square-foot house, Kanpai Membership is among the coziest consuming spots in H-City. These within the know can entry the bar by means of a shared door situated inside Hando, its sister hand-roll restaurant, and partake of craft cocktails, martinis, sake, beer, and wine. As a perk of being proper subsequent door, friends can order lots of Hando’s small plates, together with brussels sprouts, edamame, and Wagyu gyoza. Guests searching for a nightcap also can rating heartier eats like rooster karaage and curry fries from the late-night menu, served from 10 p.m. to midnight Sunday by means of Thursday and 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
Heights
Whereas there are lots of novel entrances to Houston speakeasies, that is the one one you enter by means of a cat door—properly, not a typical cat door, per se, however a door hidden behind a mural of a cat. When you make it inside Mèo, Vietnamese for “cat,” you are feeling as for those who’ve been miraculously transported to a dockside bar in Vietnam. The speakeasy, situated inside Texas-Asian fusion restaurant Wokker within the Heights, has a menu that homages Vietnam by means of and thru. Mèo’s cocktail menu contains must-tries just like the Salty Kitty, a tempting libation that includes salted plum vodka, orange bourbon tincture, lemon, turbinado sugar, and egg white. You’ll need to throw again a few these as you feast on the bar’s top-notch and modestly priced dim sum.
Heights
Though the delivery container craze has gotten a little bit out of hand of late, we will’t consider a extra environment friendly approach to create a speakeasy than simply plopping one down on the again patio of a bar. Mijo’s Mezcal Bar, situated in a dimly lit delivery container behind Cantina Barba within the Heights, is a enjoyable facet quest to beat after consuming your fill inside its dad or mum bar. This cozy spot includes a delightfully macabre vibe: Your entire again wall of the pipsqueak bar is full of row after row of black skulls, which glisten menacingly underneath the bar’s moody LED gentle present. Whilst you sit again and benefit from the atmosphere, order your self a mezcal flight; it’s among the best on the town.
Heights
No have to double-check the deal with—for those who pull as much as Savoir in hopes of eating at Patton’s, you’ve reached your last vacation spot. The intimate, 38-seat steakhouse is a real hideaway, situated behind Savoir’s bar and thru a speakeasy-style entrance. The high-end idea differs from its casual-chic counterpart in its Outdated World design and steakhouse menu that includes prime cuts of steak and an intensive wine checklist. Company can bask in a sublime Waldorf salad, adopted by a New York strip sourced from Colorado’s Gable Cattle Co. Dimly lit and romantic, the L-shaped house affords cozy corners through which to dine and an unique bar with six extremely sought-after seats.
Washington Ave
Nestled amid the energetic bars alongside Washington Avenue is a pastry store that includes glass circumstances stocked with macarons, muffins, and sugary concoctions. However examine additional and discover what lies past the harmless storefront’s pantry door: Sugar Room, a big, dimly lit, speakeasy-style cocktail bar. The swanky, Nineteen Twenties-inspired décor transports you to the Prohibition period, when hidden bars have been extra necessity than luxurious. Head-turning cocktails are motive sufficient to linger round, however for those who’re not a drinker, there may be additionally hookah on the patio.
