Hotel Dining for the Holidays: Check out these spots for your foodie feasts
Maybe you don’t want to cook over the holidays, maybe you’re dining solo but would like a nice meal. And maybe you forgot to order that feast in time to pick it up the day before Thanksgiving or Christmas at your favorite restaurant, which is now closed for the holiday. What to do?
Turns out hotel restaurants are almost always open and there are plenty in Houston that are top notch eateries with stellar chefs. Do call or check out their websites for any holiday special information, some offer buffet specials for the holidays, or they may have different hours.
Cultivated F&B/Lancaster Hotel
thelancaster.com/cultivated-f-b
713.228.9502
If it’s been a while since you’ve dined at the only hotel in the Theater District, you might be pleasantly surprised. Cultivated F&B and The Bar have undergone a major facelift and added a collection of Texas contemporary artists. Speaking of art, the menu is contemporary American fine dining; expect such soothing dishes as crab cakes and scallops or braised Texas short ribs. Reservations are highly recommended, but if you are solo, you can probably get a seat at the bar.
Chardon/Thompson Houston Hotel
chardonhouston.com
346.560.4180
Just over a year old, this sleek 36-story hotel in downtown by Bufalo Bayou Park boasts several dining destinations, including a coffee bar, rooftop dining with Sol 7, Mexican flavors at Taco Madera, and the French fare at Chardon. Here you will find a Dover sole worthy of Julia Child, oysters on the half shell, an R-C Ranch (famous for their Texas Wagyu) Beef Cheek Bourguignon, and some pretty fancy deviled eggs. Reservations are a good idea for this happy hour and inner spot but if you’re dropping by earlier than Sol 7 is your go-to for a great view with your smash burger.
Monarch Restaurant and Terrace/Hotel ZaZa
hotelzaza.com/houston-museum-district/dining/monarch
713.527.1800
Just across the street from the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Hotel ZaZa wows with its inhouse eatery. Brunch on the patio is a lovely treat on any weekend, and fry aficionados will love this smoky version topped with goat cheese ranch. The Lamb lollipops are a delight with mint pistachio pesto and if you’re really hungry try the Japanese panko fried chicken. You probably don’t think about ordering fried chicken at a hotel but trust us on this. Crunchy and juicy, plated with Jasmin rice and stir fry veggies, it is a perfect meal.
Perseid/Hotel Saint Augustine
bunkhousehotels.com/hotel-saint-augustine/eat-drink/perseid
832.844.0057
Now that Bistro Menil is closed, the new Perseid in the quaint boutique Hotel Saint Augustine is the spot for dining by the Menil Collection. Chef and restaurateur Aaron Bludorn and front-of-house partner Cherif Mbodi offer breakfast, lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch at this gorgeous spot. The smoked salmon dip with housemade chips is the perfect way to start your meal here and it only gets better after that. The Saint Augustine Burger with duck liver mousse is amazing or try the blackened Mahi Mahi sandwich with olive tapenade. Bludorn has some genius food combinations. And the desserts here are decadent.
The Remington Restaurant/St. Regis Hotel
marriott.com/en-us/hotels/houxr-the-st-regis-houston/dining/
713.403.2631
Nothing the tried and true. The Remington Restaurant at the St. Regis Hotel has been wowing diners for years with its fine Continental cuisine. The plush décor makes for a romantic meal and a fancy holiday experience. Classics cuisine usually means traditional Caesar salads and lobster/crab bisque paired with baked salmon or seared duck breast. Well-made cocktails and a fine wine list along with expert service will make this a meal you won’t soon forget.
Tonight & Tomorrow/la Colombe d’or
tnthtx.com
713.517.1001
The renovated dining room at this historic boutique hotel is now offering French brasserie cuisine in a charmingly updated environment. They already had their Thanksgiving menu online at press time so here’s a look at what’s in store. First course; choice of Caesar salad or a chicken pot pie vol-au-vent. Entrees include turkey breast, prime rib eye, or fennel marinated salmon. All come with a choice of sides and sauces, plus, there is dessert. A no-bake pumpkin cheesecake or an apple pie bread pudding are the choices. Tonight & Tomorrow is also open for brunch on Thanksgiving with the usual menu that features such hits as shrimp and polenta, chicken and waffles, and steak and eggs.
So maybe this Thanksgiving or Christmas you’ll dine in style at one of these hotel dining rooms and leave the cooking, and the cleanup, to the pros.
