He notes that the Lenox location was where Shaquille ONeal, Dominique Wilkins, and many other sports stars came to eat when they were in town., When Houstons debuted, I argued [to my wife], it identified and then filled a void in the American dining scene, Knowlton writes in the article. Company profile [ edit] Our lease was nearing a conclusion and discussions with the Lessor did not yield a long-term agreement, she said in an email. There are 19 Houston's locations in 10 states. I knew that the menu she handed me would be similar to every Hillstone property Id been to. (Hey, thats my line!) Hillstone now operates restaurants under 15 different names. Its the peoples restaurantcasual fine dining for the masses, and no one has done it better. In 2010, Houstons shocked us all by changing its name to Hillstone. Yes, melted. restaurant in Addison confirmed the closure. Thanks, but no thanks. If your perception of Houstons is that of an overpriced chain restaurant, you might be surprised to learn that its beloved by many in the food world, including Anne Quatrano of Bacchanalia (who is a big fan of the grilled artichoke) and Steven Satterfield of Miller Union (who, like many we talked to, loves the spinach and artichoke dip and loaded baked potato). I want to keep them somewhat healthy. Later that night, my wife and I exchanged texts: 2023 Cond Nast. Two former Houstons in New York City were converted to the Hillstone brand last year. Jeans are okay, especially with a nice top. Whether [founder George] Biel knew it or not, he was defining a uniquely American style of eating out that was unpretentious yet discerning., Some might disagree about the unpretentious part. We werent going to some subway-tiled spot in Williamsburg for a 14-course vegetable tasting. The main chef and co-owner said both the pandemic and the aging building put a strain on the family business. Bandera, an upscale dining destination from Hillstone Restaurant Group, permanently closed its Old Town Scottsdale location after being open there for more than 25 years. Since 1961, Atlanta magazine, the citys premier general interest publication, has served as the authority on Atlanta, providing its readers with a mix of long-form nonfiction, lively lifestyle coverage, in-depth service journalism, and literary essays, columns, and profiles. To that end, a handful of the top-performing Houston's locations are becoming Hillstone. and Johnson in what T.I. Standard American: A standard steakhouse is usually themeless and comes with a smart casual dress code, even if unspoken. The move will also reduce the number of Houstons-branded restaurants to fewer than 20, which may exempt the chain from impending federal menu-labeling requirements though company officials say that was not their motive. In developing Hillstone, Biel said the company was targeting restaurants in key metropolitan areas for the name change to signify a shift to a menu that focuses more on seasonal dishes, as well as local artisans and food purveyors. Atlanta Lawyer Yussuf Abdel-Aleem sued the company in 2015 alleging he and three other people were asked to leave the Peachtree Road location on two separate occasions for refusing to remove a baseball hat and for cell phone use, both of which the restaurant prohibits. Hillstones founder, George Biel, recognized the need for a new type of restaurant that was non-existent at the time. Forty-eight restaurants under 15 names in 15 states, I said. Its probably why your favorite restaurant is a neighborhood spot where you always know that youre going to get what you want. It was a Friday night, and three thoughts were going through my mind as I sat with coworkers from the Bon Apptit publishing side in a booth at the packed Rutherford Grill in Napa Valley: (1) Im only a few miles from two of the most revered restaurants in America, the French Laundry and the Restaurant at Meadowood, both of which Ive been wanting to revisit; (2) Im about to devour a slightly sweet pineapple-soy-marinated Hawaiian rib eye at yet another Hillstone; and (3) Im perfectly okay with that. After the conversions across the country this year, Houstons will have 19 locations remaining, Biel said. Baked, roasted, mashed you name it, Ill eat it. Gov. Each of our restaurants complements the unique character of its locale, seeking to be a place of relaxation, enjoyment and excitement for each of our guests. By submitting your email, you agree to our, The freshest news from the local food world, Houston's Would Rather Be Known As Hillstone Now,Thanks, Sign up for the The first Houston's restaurant was launched by current owner and CEO George Biel, Joe Ledbetter and Vic . This was the place where Shaquille ONeal, Dominique Wilkins, and many other sports stars came to eat when they were in town. He ate fast and talked faster. Theyd get back to me, they wrote. The groups Woodmont Grill, for example, was previously a Houstons location in Bethesda, Md. And then something happened that really got Christinas attention. Houstons and Hillstones are the same restaurant with different names- it's Houstons in some cities and Hillstone in others. Salt and black pepper, to taste. It would be a place of high energy and would attract a broad range of people of all ages, where one could enjoy an upscale dinner of steaks, burgers, entre salads, and other dishes representing a more flexible style of eating. I was also realizing that I wasnt alone in my infatuation with the inner workings of the group. in the DFW area that need your help or can provide help during The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. It turns out he doesso much so that he and Coraine didnt even look at their menus. But you know what? It would be a place of high energy and would attract a broad range of people of all ages, where one could enjoy an upscale dinner of steaks, burgers, entre salads, and other dishes representing a more flexible style of eating. I quickly explained that Hillstone Restaurant Group started in 1977 with the opening of Houstons in Nashville. The melt-in-your-mouth Hawaiian rib eye, the smoked salmon and toast points, and the tortilla chicken salad are all dishes Ill want any time, any day, says TV and radio personality Mara Davis. Goodbye, Houstons on Lenox Road: Atlantans explain why the chain is such o any of our guests who felt their past dining experiences fell short [of our standards], we sincerely apologize. Our newest restaurant: The Honor Bar at Highland Park Village in Dallas, Texas. Greg Abbotts orders did not require restaurant workers to wear masks during food service, though many restaurateurs in D-FW have chosen to do so. June 12: The post was updated with information about the reason for the restaurant's closure. THIS IS ABOUT THE PEOPLE. Thank you for the privilege of serving you over the last four decades!. Houstons closed on Belt Line Road in the Addison/Far North Dallas area at the end of dinner service on Saturday, June 13. 2023|Part of the Hillstone Restaurant GroupIf you are using a screen reader and are having problems using this website, please contact us for assistance. Thats what happened when I first e-mailed the Hillstone Restaurant Group (perhaps known in your neck of the woods as Houston's, Honor Bar, R+D Kitchen, or 12 others). Hillstone | Houston Houston 4848 Kirby Drive Houston, Texas 77098 (713) 529-2385 facebook instagram yelp tripadvisor Lunch Menu Dinner Menu Wine Menu executive chef Lindsey Derkacht culinary manager Moises Hernandez Make a Reservation Dining with Us: We look forward to seeing you! My mother. In less than three minutes, we had confirmed our reservation with the smiling hosts, checked our coats, snagged some space at the bar, and ordered drinks. As someone who grew up in Atlanta in the 1980s, the restaurant was an indelible part of my childhood. "After nearly 40 years of service, the Houston's on Westheimer Road has. There are 44 Hillstone locations in 12 states. I guess thats why some people think Im joking when I tell them that Hillstone Restaurant Group runs some of my favorite places to eat in the country. It will be a slow evolution, not a dramatic difference, she said. NYC: Houston's Rebrands Itself as Hillstone [~ENY~]. Hillstone has offered the Lenox staff an opportunity to continue within the company, according to a sign on the door of the restaurant. Our citys many nicknames reflect Houstons connections to climate (the Bayou City), culture (H-town), industry (Space City) even our openness a decade ago in taking in Hurricane Katrina evacuees (The Big Heart). By changing the name, the restaurants were no longer seen as part of the Houstons chain. We go out to breakfast every weekend and every weekend he orders the same thing French Toast and side of breakfast potatoes. The main factor that makes cheese non-vegetarian is the presence of rennet, an enzyme , Brussels sprouts and asparagus are the stars here with a creamy nutmeg sauce. The food is extremely consistent, Satterfield notes, Anything grilled is cooked over hardwood, and that makes it taste delicious. Everyone came together for that spinach and artichoke dip.. "Houston's | Los Angeles | Information, Menus and Reviews from", "Hillstone Restaurant Group rebranding Houston's units | Nation's Restaurant News", "Houston's restaurant outsmarts calorie cops | Crain's New York Business", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Houston%27s_Restaurant&oldid=1110190909, Companies based in Beverly Hills, California, Articles with dead external links from November 2017, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 14 September 2022, at 04:22. The veggie burgerI have no idea whats in it, but who cares its so good. That law, which supercedes local mandates, applies to chains with 20 or more locations. What should I wear to a nice steakhouse woman? Houstons first restaurant opened in 1977 and not in Houston. And restaurateurs over the years have tried to copy Houstons warm service and straightforward menu, as it was considered a stalwart for diners in Dallas. Hillstone came under fire in May when an employee told The Dallas Morning News that the company forbid them to wear masks despite COVID-19 concerns. Fostering its ongoing interest in the multifaceted world of restaurant craft, the organization which would eventually be named Hillstone pursued a passion for learning extending to the fine arts, design, and architecture. Restaurants like Wolfgang Pucks Spago or Jeremiah Towers Stars introduced flavors inspired by different cultures to Americas palate for the first time. I know that you guys look to me for all things Brussels Sprouts and it , Its almost time for the kids to go back to school. Everyone is frying them these days and adding fish-sauce dressing, he told me. Vic Branstetter, the co-founder of Houstons and retired chief operating officer of its Los Angeles-based parent company, Hillstone Restaurant Group, has formed The Branstetter Group, offering consulting, and C-level management services. The usual? Meyer asked Coraine. Ad Choices. and Johnson in what T.I. newsletter, This Upcoming Oakland Bakery Wants to Fill Your Belly With Slices of Cake and Glasses of Champagne, Owner Eva Allen will serve bread pudding bites and thick slices of cake in her new storefront by fall 2023, Another Week, Another Round of Layoffs in the Bay Area Food Scene, Plus, chef David Nayfeld launches a "Che Fico Scholarship," and more Bay Area food intel, Sign up for the CEO/Owner/Founder, Hillstone Restaurant Group Inc. Why do New Yorkers pronounce Houston wrong? Houston is known for a number of foods and types of cuisines. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is expected to determine rules for the federal menu-labeling mandate by March 2011, and the law is likely to be enforced late next year or early 2012. Our Restaurants Since 1977, Hillstone has created restaurants that seek to enliven the senses through inspired settings, graceful service, and cuisine that simply tastes delicious. I was finally going to find out the story behind their famous spinach and artichoke dip. the Coronavirus crisis. This classic epitomizes . Five years later, the rebrand is still difficult to internalize. It has forbidden staff from wearing PPE of any type,. George still has a hand in every aspect of the restaurantsespecially the menu. Thank you again for thinking of us.. This is a very specific skill that most young cooks today have no idea how to master., Its incredibly high-quality, agrees Concentrics Restaurant Group owner Bob Amick, And the service is spot-on. Thats the brilliance of Hillstone, Coraine said. They are the kind of dudes who you would think wouldnt give a flying flip about a chain restaurant, let alone take cues from it. They dont cut corners.. The valet guys always remembered my name and asked about my baby. HILLSTONE - 1288 Photos & 1257 Reviews - 202 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA - Yelp Restaurants Home Services Auto Services More Hillstone 1257 reviews Claimed $$$ American (New), Sushi Bars Edit Closed 11:30 AM - 10:00 PM Hours updated 3 months ago See hours See all 1295 photos Write a review Add photo Menu Popular dishes View full menu Prime Rib While. The difference between Hillstone and Houstons: Ones went extinct in D-FW. One of the first restaurants prominently featured this early logo on the building, The Rutherford Grill, opened in 1994 in the heart of Napa Valley. Unless the company opens more Houstons units, the chain will not be required to post calorie counts on menus and menu boards under federal law adopted earlier this year as part of the health care overhaul. Hillstone Manhattan [Official Site]. By changing the name, the restaurants were no longer seen as part of the Houstons chain. Hillstone Restaurant Group, which operates four of its 45 locations in the Dallas area under four brand names, has taken a different approach. called on his Instagram "tough but productive discussions." Houston's Lenox released an anti . Actually, Im pretty excited. We always make a stop at this restaurant when visiting Houston. In it, he describes the restaurant as a favorite of his and his mothersand includes Houstons praise from powerhouse restaurateurs such as Danny Meyer (of Shake Shack, Union Square Cafe, and Gramercy Tavern, among others) and David Chang (of Momofuku Restaurant Group and Netflixs Ugly Delicious). To navigate, press the arrow keys. Contact Lisa Jennings at [emailprotected], /sites/all/themes/penton_subtheme_nrn/images/logos/footer.png, Seven units set for conversion to Hillstone brand this year, 2023 Informa USA, Inc., All rights reserved, NRN editors talk about the NRAs recent report, what happens when children are banned from restaurants, and celebrity marketing, Duffys Sports Grill Mastered Gift Cards in a Flash, Examining new ways to collect restaurant guest data, It's time to Roll Up to Win at Tim Hortons with exciting new prizes, Subway opens new dual headquarters building in Miami, Menu Tracker: New items from Burger King, KFC, and Chipotle, San Diegos Trust Restaurant Group drives retention, innovation with culture of yes, Nations Restaurant News launches new CREATE Roadshow event series, Allowed HTML tags: .