The first Houston's restaurant was launched by current owner and CEO George Biel, Joe Ledbetter and Vic Branstetter in 1977 in Nashville, Tennessee. There are 44 Hillstone locations in 12 states. Salsa and sour cream were added later, giving the combo the name Chicago-Style Spinach and Artichoke Dip. Chicago, America thanks you.) Hillstone was responsive to the October protests and met with T.I. In one sat four hipsters with floppy felt hats who would have been equally at home at Robertas in Brooklyn. Thats essentially the response I got. Located in a . Something went wrong. Occasionally he may switch , This simple and hearty Vegetarian Chili is chock full of beans, fresh veggies, and warming spices. But it is the best-run, most-loved, relentlessly respected restaurant in America. The LA-based group, which owns Houston's, has two locations in Manhattanthey were formerly called Houston's until the company changed the name to Hillstone to evade the calorie disclosure law. By submitting your email, you agree to our, The freshest news from the local food world, Houston's Rebrands Itself as Hillstone, Adds SeasonalMenu, Sign up for the By the looks of it, they were all having one helluva lunch. When she is not in the kitchen cooking or at a desk writing, she runs half marathons, golfs, and spends time with her fur children Charlotte, Olive, and Finnegan. I was starting to seriously question my foodie street cred. The idea of converting existing restaurants is also not a new one for Hillstone Restaurant Group. Perfect for a chilly game day. As someone who grew up in Atlanta in the 1980s, the restaurant was an indelible part of my childhood. The valet guys always remembered my name and asked about my baby. He explained the overall design of restaurants and how every table should feel like its in the VIP section. The Astros have received a number of pitch clock violations during their Grapefruit League contests, including a called strike three against star shortstop Jeremy Pea on Wednesday. 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. Hold on to summer just a little longer with this easy 3-ingredient Grape Soda Sherbet. HILLSTONE - $$$ - 789 Photos & 882 Reviews - 4848 Kirby Dr, Houston, TX - Yelp Restaurants Home Services Auto Services Hillstone 882 reviews Claimed $$$ Salad, Burgers, Sandwiches Open 11:00 AM - 9:30 PM Hours updated 2 months ago See hours See all 797 photos Write a review Add photo Menu View full menu Prime Rib 27 Photos 73 Reviews Smoked Salmon As the deputy editor of Bon Apptit, Im usually the one fielding calls from publicists requesting coverage for the cool new place from so-and-so who worked for a month at Noma in Copenhagen. This list contains the , Is Cheese Vegetarian friendly? Hillstone Restaurant Group, which operates four of its 45 locations in the Dallas area under four brand names, has taken a different approach. Zagat gave the restaurant high marks and remarked on its '"vibrant, modern setting matched with a lively bar scene; seamless, tag-team service".'[4]. We may now enjoy the spinach dip again!!!! Coltrane was on the speakers. It had been ten years since Id been back to the Houstons across from Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta. Sarah writes about restaurants, bars and culture in Dallas. The restaurant opened in August 1978, a year after the first Houstons appeared in Nashville, and became an Atlanta institutiona place to be seen with shopping bags in tow after doing some damage to your credit card at nearby Lenox Square or Phipps Plaza. When I was pregnant with my daughter, I went at least twice a week thanks to an intense, pregnancy-induced craving for their loaded baked potato and a club saladgrilled chicken, not friedslathered in chunky blue cheese dressing. I want to keep them somewhat healthy. 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. Your date, the client youre trying to impress, and your impossibly picky friend. The restaurant's owner, Hillstone Restaurant Group, posted the following message on its website: "After nearly 40 years of service, the Houston's on Westheimer Road has now closed. Forty-two minutes into our meal, George asked if Id care for dessert. 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. When slathered with spicy mayo (yes, you should request a side of this), its an unexpected entry into Americas burger elite. The kind of consistency you experience at every Hillstone. "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. To revisit this article, select My Account, thenView saved stories, To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories. Follow @sblaskovich on Twitter and ask her what to do, where to eat or where to drink in your area. It will be a slow evolution, not a dramatic difference, she said. 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. This endeavor would be based on an unrelenting commitment to do things well, measured against the highest standards and manifested in careful attention to the smallest details. Big-name chefs are featured in our pages monthly. Fresh mix of social lifehacks and guidlines. Hillstone/Houston's is an iconic presence in the restaurant world. What should I wear to a nice steakhouse woman? When I heard the Houstons on Lenox Road would be closing its doors for good after service on Saturday, March 31, I was heartbroken. Classy. The Astros have received a number of pitch clock violations during their Grapefruit League contests, including a called strike three against star shortstop Jeremy Pea on Wednesday. The corporate office at parent company Hillstone Restaurant Group did not respond to questions about the closure, but a note on the Houstons website reads, After nearly 40 years of service, the Houstons on Belt Line Road has now closed. If this had been any other place in New York, wed still be trying to get the bartenders attention. It was noon on a Monday at L.A.s South Beverly Grill, another Hillstone property, and there was already a wait. the Coronavirus crisis. Hillstone now operates restaurants under 15 different names. Damn, he must really love Hillstone, I thought. 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. The difference between Hillstone and Houstons: Ones went extinct in D-FW. Biel also noted that the company has not shied away from menu labeling requirements in other cities where it is mandated. George simply liked the ring of it, not to mention the citys pioneering reputation at the time as home to NASA and big oil, I told her. 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). If you are using a screen reader and encounter difficulty using this website, please call. YouTube. But the famously laid-back chefs have been fans since they started going to a Houstons around the corner from their culinary school in Fort Lauderdale. Houston's Restaurant is part of a group of upscale American casual dining restaurants, owned by Hillstone Restaurant Group, whose main corporate headquarters is in Phoenix, Arizona. I am so sorry. over a year ago. By this point I was becoming a Hillstone aficionado. Company profile [ edit] It was a long shot. In 2010, Houstons shocked us all by changing its name to Hillstone. 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 THIS IS ABOUT THE PEOPLE. 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 dont know about you, but when the holidays roll around I find myself spending lots of time in the kitchen baking various treats for gifts and get togethers. Who is the owner of Hillstone Restaurant Group? Danny would love to join you, his assistant e-mailed back. When George Biel walked in the door, it was like the pope had arrived for Christmas mass. The companys newest restaurant is South Beverly Grill and an adjoining lounge called Honor Bar, which opened last month near the companys headquarters in Beverly Hills. Alternately, combine ingredients in a small jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake vigorously . Restaurant recommendations you trust. Its a team effort, which means your server will take your order, but anyone on staff can help you out. Lines and paragraphs break automatically. Recipes you want to make. Hillstones founder, George Biel, recognized the need for a new type of restaurant that was non-existent at the time. Houstons and Hillstones are the same restaurant with different names- it's Houstons in some cities and Hillstone in others. Standard American: A standard steakhouse is usually themeless and comes with a smart casual dress code, even if unspoken. Thats more visits than any other full-service restaurant.. The converted Hillstone locations will keep some classic Houstons dishes, but the menus will be designed to appeal more specifically to those communities, Biel said. Hillstone later changed its policy after a lawsuit and backlash on social media. Houstons closed on Belt Line Road in the Addison/Far North Dallas area at the end of dinner service on Saturday, June 13. Id heard that Danny Meyer, restaurant hospitality guru, Shake Shack founder, and CEO of Union Square Hospitality Group, was, like me, a regular at Hillstone. Hillstone's founder, George Biel, recognized the need for a new type of restaurant that was non-existent at the time. Theyd get back to me, they wrote. For the last week, my entire Facebook feed has been nothing but my Florida friends posting pictures of the kids going back to school. Taste it, he said. Get immediate access to organizations and people I tend to frequent the West Paces Ferry location [because Lenox had such long waits], but Im sad for those who considered the Lenox location to be their Cheers, says author and social media personality Shameeka Ayers, who lists Houstons among her top five Atlanta restaurants., What made the Lenox location special is that its a snapshot of a busy, bustling, diverse Atlanta, Davis says. 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Coraine then did something even more surprising: He ordered a glass of orange juice. They brought in a minority partner to open their first restaurant in Nashville, which they named Houstons in reference to their native state of Texas. The veggie burgerI have no idea whats in it, but who cares its so good. It turns out he doesso much so that he and Coraine didnt even look at their menus. newsletter, NYCs Oldest Cheese Shop Is Moving to New Jersey, A New Korean Barbecue Restaurant for Downtown Brooklyn And More Openings, One of Londons Most Famous Restaurants Is Touching Down in Brooklyn, NYCsFirstMajorRestaurantUnionSince Covid LosesGround After Vote. 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. The groups Woodmont Grill, for example, was previously a Houstons location in Bethesda, Md. There would be those all-American burgers and fall-off-the-bone baby back ribs finished with a smoky-sweet sauce. The food is extremely consistent, Satterfield notes, Anything grilled is cooked over hardwood, and that makes it taste delicious. The Hillstone brand is meant to embody a move away from the traditional notion of chain restaurants with identical menus, which has "terrible cache," she said. That didnt help my case. Web page addresses and e-mail addresses turn into links automatically. Houston's Restaurant is an upscale American casual dining restaurant chain, owned by Hillstone Restaurant Group, whose main corporate headquarters is based in Beverly Hills, California. There would be that addictively creamy spinach and artichoke dip that I would inevitably order. Time is ticking though, theyre closing March 31 #loaded #loadedbakedpotato #getyousome, A post shared by Steven Satterfield (@millerunionchef) on Mar 11, 2018 at 6:44pm PDT, Whether you were a fan or not, the 40-year-old Houstons location was undoubtedly an Atlanta institution. Photograph courtesy of Jessica Greenfield. He ate fast and talked faster. #BoycottHoustons #HoustonsWeHaveAProblem #ShutItDown #USorELSE, A post shared by TIP (@troubleman31) on Oct 7, 2017 at 1:20pm PDT, Hillstone was responsive to the October protests and met with T.I. to avoid compliance with the citys calorie-posting mandate, which applies to chains with 15 or more locations. The dismissive Let me get your server is something youll never hear here. Texas-born founder George Biel, the brains and passion behind the group, began. The company maintains the changes are in keeping with a long-term strategy of disassociating from the chain image to remain a niche player in the industry. 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. A small miracle that, I could tell, was making her a believer. 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. Is it the fact that every location has a single Mauviel copper pot that it uses to toss the just-fried fries with kosher salt in? A New Restaurants Version Blew Me Away, The Most Exciting New Restaurants That Opened Last Month, Theres Never Been a Better Time to Eat Hokkaido Food in the United States, More Recipes Should Call for South Asian Spice Blends. 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. In the end, George reigned. , Biscotti is incredibly easy to make. Its all that.. As we made our way to the U-shaped bar at Hillstonepacked with Friday-night dates and the Brooklyn Lagersipping suits from the Citicorp building above usI tried to convince Christina that Hillstone was the non-chain chain. You know who else? Houston's is an upscale dining experience, though not quite "fine dining" by most standards. But I dont have one neighborhood spot; I have 48 Hillstones. When my cheeseburger and her famous, as she now refers to it, French dip arrived, they were textbook perfect. . They brought in a minority partner to open their first restaurant in Nashville, which they named Houstons in reference to their native state of Texas. When Houstons debuted, I argued, it identified and then filled a void in the American dining scene. Oops. The Cowboys are closer than you think to a total makeover at running back, Luka Doncic-Kyrie Irving tandem clicks with joint 40-point displays in Mavs win vs. 76ers, UIL boys basketball playoffs (6A): Tre Johnson, Lake Highlands shine; DeSoto defense rises, Dallas Cowboys focused on adding another dynamic offensive weapon. The change began over three months ago when Houston's, the restaurant group that owns the New York steakhouses as well as about 50 other restaurants across the country, changed their name to. Spill Hillstones secrets! He pushed it toward me. A cold gin Gibson with impossibly big jumbo shrimp cocktail, low lighting, a smiling bartender in a bow tie who delivers my Hawaiian rib eye with loaded baked potato. trentonsocial.com 2018. They grind a chuck and brisket blend with a generous 2025 percent fat content for their burgers and cut Kennebec variety potatoes for their fries. Ryan Sohn, a manager at Hillstone, San Francisco. In my world, theres no more pejorative word to describe a restaurant than chain. This Dish Is Really Hard to Find Outside of Cantonese Banquet Halls. "We're making more of a move toward. We werent going to some subway-tiled spot in Williamsburg for a 14-course vegetable tasting. Both sell that famous French dip, both do the popular spinach and artichoke dip as a starter, and both have a dark, homey feel where Dallas 1% seems to love to eat," as we noted in a restaurant review in 2012. And now I finally had the chance to ask Brian Biel in person if theres some secret formula behind Hillstones powerful allurebesides trying to avoid press, of course. I told him how I had grown up in Atlanta going to Hillstone restaurants, how they were my moms favorite lunch spot for the Thai steak and noodle salad, how they were the place Id taken prom dates in high school, and how I thought they had one of the best cheeseburgers on the planet. That night he wanted me to try a brussels sprouts dish he was thinking about adding. Michelin-starred chef Michael White, who knows how challenging it is to run multiple restaurantshe has 11 spots in and around New Yorksaid, We chefs take ourselves a bit too seriously. Among these, Rutherford Grill, Palm Beach Grill, Gulfstream and the southwestern regionally inspired Bandera charted new directions for the company. After years of keeping it a secret, I realized I dont have to apologize to anyone. Eating healthier has never tasted this good. Anna-Marie Walsh is a food and travel writer currently based in Orlando, Florida. (And the Hillstone cheeseburger.). Thats the brilliance of Hillstone, Coraine said. in the DFW area that need your help or can provide help during A Houstons location on Long Island, N.Y., for example, posts calorie counts on the menu, as required by local legislation. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. The new rule was that anyone who wants to wear a mask staff or customers are free to do so.. . Jeans is absolutely fine. Whether Biel knew it or not, he was defining a uniquely American style of eating out that was unpretentious yet discerning. Its the peoples restaurantcasual fine dining for the masses, and no one has done it better. The French dip was layered with juicy paper-thin slices of house-roasted prime rib and accompanied by a bowl of beefy jus. There would be an open kitchen where a team of talented and dedicated noncelebrity chefs would turn out the food with uncompromised precision. The Biels know that booths offer the privacy and comfort that a freestanding table simply does not. 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Well-heeled customers in everything from jeans to jumpsuits sipped iced tea and Diet Coke at the bar, while a few brazen souls eased into the workweek with a cocktail. If youre anything like me, then you love potatoes in all forms. Seclusion not exclusion is his design philosophy. Ive doubled up on sleeping blankets and pulled out the flannel pajamas. Salt and black pepper, to taste. Every Hillstone, I had learned, is mind-bogglingly consistent. Was it [] I want to simply blanch and then roast them and top with a lemon aioli and Parmesan. His kitchen team wanted to fry them. At Houstons, I dont have to worry, since almost every table is a booth. Sometimes I have time to whip up a Blueberry Biscuit Skillet . Sarah Blaskovich, senior food reporter. This classic epitomizes . I knew that the menu she handed me would be similar to every Hillstone property Id been to. Everyone is frying them these days and adding fish-sauce dressing, he told me. Block by Block: Stories from the streets that connect us, 2020 Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Designer Showhouse, DINES: A Taste of the Citys Best Restaurants, even penned an ode to its parent company, Hillstone, wasnt the first time the chain had been accused of racial discrimination, an anti-discrimination message on its Instagram. Cooking advice that works. !, As well as Jenny Drake, Miss Deb, Mrs.H, Rick Ross, and everyone else in the collective I had the pleasure of representing. Biel said the shift to the Hillstone brand was not motivated by any desire to avoid menu labeling. See all (84) Ratings and reviews RATINGS Food Service Value Atmosphere Details CUISINES American Special Diets Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options Meals Every Monday afternoon, I escape to Houstons to recalibrate my life, says Nonis owner Matt Ruppert. George Biel founded the Houstons chain in 1976. Or try to wow you with its foam experiments or ingredients youve never heard of. 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. Each table was splitting things like sushi, crispy oysters, French dips, and, of course, spinach and artichoke dip. 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. We always make a stop at this restaurant when visiting Houston. 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. You will never cook potatoes any other way after you make these melted potatoes! Its not often that a restaurant turns down a story in a national food magazine. Further, please feel free to contact us at guestservices@Hillstone.com and provide the URL (web address) of the material you tried to access, the problem you experienced, and your contact information. NYC: Houston's Rebrands Itself as Hillstone [~ENY~]. George was having his usual: a cheeseburger cut into quarters. The first Houston's restaurant was launched by current owner and CEO George Biel, Joe Ledbetter and Vic . NOT ME!!!!! And after my daughter was born, they never failed to ask for status updates about her whenever I ducked in for a quick cheeseburger. The dress code is business casual which means no tank tops, crop tops, athletic wear, torn jeans, flip flops, t-shirts with graffic language/profanity, cut-off jeans etc. And how many places do they have now? she asked skeptically. But if those close, I may need therapy., Farewell Houstons Lenox. You know who loves a Houstons? Next to them were a pair of mothers and four very well-behaved kids. There are no food runners or bussers. There would be my moms French dip (thanks, Chang). and Johnson in what T.I. Our lease was nearing a conclusion and discussions with the Lessor did not yield a long-term agreement, she said in an email. AS AN AMAZON ASSOCIATE I EARN FROM QUALIFYING PURCHASES. Dammit, Brian, what is it?