Here's a look at new Houston eateries, drinking spots, hotels, conference areas, private rooms, and other spaces available for events this spring. The new and renovated Houston venues are available for corporate parties, weddings, fund-raisers, outdoor functions, business dinners, teambuilding activities, conferences, meetings, and more.
Sweet Paris Creperie & Café, a French chain specializing in sweet and savory crepes, opened its sixth location in Highland Village in December. The café offers an ideal spot for breakfast and brunch, with a bright, contemporary aesthetic highlighted by white florals and ivory banquets. The 2,364-square-foot space seats 138 guests inside and at an outdoor patio, and it offers a private room with special menus for groups of eight to 14. Special events in the main dining room aren’t private and are available for groups of 15 to 35 people during specific time frames each day. For parties of more than 36 people, the restaurant recommends a catering service.
Finn Hall, a European-inspired food hall, opened at the Jones on Main in the JPMorgan Chase & Co. Building in December. The 20,000-square-foot food hall features 10 chef-driven food vendors, which include Goode Co. Taqueria, Mr. Nice Pie, Dish Society, and Gala Sichuan. The venue also is home to St. Jac’s, a bar offering Houston-theme cocktails, and Swallow’s Nest, an Art Deco lounge that offers table service, where guests can place orders from any of the food stalls. The hall is available for private events in spaces such as St. Jac’s, which holds 100 reception style, and Swallow’s Nest, which holds 225 reception style. Finn Hall is available for a full buyout for as many as 600 for reception-style events.
Venezuelan restaurant Mastrantos had a grand opening in the Heights in March. The restaurant, which is owned by Mari and Xavier Godoy, specializes in Venezuelan arepas, globally influenced entreés, and desserts baked in house. The 2,160-square-foot space seats 70 guests inside and 20 at an outdoor area. In May, a terrace on the second floor will be available for private events.
Ivy Bar & Bistro opened inside of Fiori Spa in November. The indoor-outdoor eatery specializes in Italian cuisine, serving pizza, paninis, and pasta, as well as cocktails from a crystal bar. The 1,800-square-foot space seats 40 inside or holds 75 for receptions, and it seats 50 outside or holds 85 standing.
For those looking for a unique venue outside of Houston, Carr Mansion in Galveston Island underwent an extensive renovation and reopened in summer 2018. The bed and breakfast, located in an 1866 Greek Revival-style mansion, features a modern design contrasted with antique pieces in the property’s eight guests rooms, parlor, ballroom, and pub. The mansion is available for small-scale events, corporate retreats, or weddings.
Residence Inn Houston Medical Center/NRG Park opened in February. The 16-floor hotel has 182 rooms and 4,028 square feet of event space. There are four meeting rooms, with theater-style seating capacity ranging from 65 to 100 guests.
Jack & Ginger’s, an Austin-based Irish pub, opened its first location in Midtown in November. Owned by Union Venture Group, the pub serves traditional Irish fare and more than 80 different beers. The 4,500-square-foot space holds as many as 300 guests standing. For private events, a patio space holds 100 guests reception style.
Strato 550, a downtown restaurant and conference center, is slated to open on the 43rd floor of the renovated 1415 Louisiana building this spring. The venue, which is owned by hospitality and foodservice management firm Compass Group, will be open Monday through Friday and offers a Mediterranean-inspired menu to cater to Houston’s power lunch crowd. Designed by Abel Design Group, the 104-seat restaurant will feature a gray and white color scheme and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city. The venue also will have meeting rooms and will be available for private events.
Hopdoddy Burger Bar, an Austin-based burger chain, opened its sixth Houston location at Houston Heights Waterworks in January. The upscale burger joint is known for its burgers with loaded toppings such as truffle macaroni and cheese; out-of-the-box burgers including the impossible (made with plants) and ahi tuna; and a variety of milkshakes and cocktails. The restaurant has a 4,000-square-foot interior that seats 125 guests and a 1,000-square-foot patio that seats 24 guests.
