May 1st, 2012
In 6 Words: Passion, Walnut, Hodgepodge, Wine, Fresh, Local
Underbelly opened its heavy glass-panelled doors earlier this year and in doing so unclasped the cover to the Story of Houston Food. Since and well before then, a lot has been publicised about the Bobby Heugel and Chris Shepherd lead Hay Merchant and Underbelly tandem. Houston’s love affair with all things Heugel is well documented—probably to death on our end. This might lead those not familiar with his past concepts to the question, “Who’s Chris Shepherd?” To answer that, there’s no better way to learn of Chris Shepherd, than by experiencing his painstakingly designed dishes and atmosphere.
It’s a Wednesday evening and we find Underbelly at 1100 Westheimer, across from the blazing neon of El Real. The interior, with its wood panelling, exposed lumber and light concrete floor, warms the senses, in spite of its industrial nature. The wine bar is inundated with numerous people consumed in conversation, all indulging in the kind of appetites that cling to the week’s mid-section as well as our own.
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— Richard
March 8th, 2012
In 5 Words: Casual, Journey, Wine, Dine, Revelry
He/she will regret dumping me. I’m going to lose 20 pounds, quit biting my toenails and soak my scalp in Just for Men until my lungs burn. This is a brand new me!
Three weeks later, you’re back to wearing sweatpants, playing Call-of-Duty til 3 a.m. and yelling at Girl Scouts not to judge you for buying 15 boxes of Tagalongs. But you are who you are. A leopard can’t change its spots, so now’s the time to find a new pad, embrace who you are and hang out with good friends. And maybe sell the jewelry she left at your place for beer money, but that’s neither here nor there. For The Corkscrew, recreating itself was just as easy, it seems.
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— Tea Jones
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February 23rd, 2012
Alex Gregg is a bartender at Anvil Bar & Refuge, who sometimes takes pictures. Yes, well sometimes he takes them very well. From now until February 29th, his photos of Hay Merchant will be on display at Catalina Coffee. We’ve got some below to whet your appetite. Be a good sport and do check them out.
Executive Chef Antoine Ware of Hay Merchant
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— The Loop Scoop
February 16th, 2012
Walking out of the bar, I run into two gents rifling through their CSA allotment, “Fennel, Spinach, and these mustard greens!” The insecure move would be to mock them, but they notice me and offer samples. Keep in mind, the last time I tried weeds from a stranger, I ended up with a Def Leppard tattoo and a brief stay in a soothing facility, but their enthusiasm was hard to resist. Besides, it was Hay Merchant’s first, official day of business, and I’d spent the past few hours surrounded by people who were just as enthusiastic about food and beer.
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— Alexander
February 9th, 2012
Houston’s own Punxsutawney Pig named Remley says winter is over. Suck on that, Eddard Stark. We’re throwing a springtime celebration of some great “patios” in Houston without re-hashing the classics everyone loves (West ‘Bama Ice House, ________, etc.). No, they may not all be patios in the literal sense; pack a picnic or sneak in your flask and coffee filled thermos, it’s all the same to us.
Under the Volcano
Bring: Your inclination for sweet concoctions; some old friends
Their skill with tropical cocktails is well known around Houston. The worn and often warped wood that makes up the front deck creeks with each step as if to welcome you again and again. The dimly colored lights and varied Dio de los Muertos accoutrements provide an evasive cloak; their nature so unique, you simply blend in as your merry existence goes happily unnoticed.
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— The Loop Scoop
January 24th, 2012
In 5 Words: CBGB, Burger, Adventure, Bombshell, ...DUDE
Sometimes when I’m being an obnoxious prick, I will pretend that being located outside of the loop and in a strip center are two very big strikes against a place. Really, I’m just too lazy and cheap to burn the gas to get there, and enjoy my little comfort zone of Montrose/south Heights. Prompted by a friend’s recommendation though, I begrudgingly got off my lazy ass and ventured forth to parts unknown, to brave the mysteries of the night. Adventure awaited. Whatever.
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— Tea Jones
January 12th, 2012
2011 brought some extraordinary improvements to Houston. Its allure in all things consumer is becoming a veritable Grow Monster, submerged in beer and queso. Some establishments added to that growth with grand openings, others opened second locations (Tacos A Go-Go, Christian’s Tailgate), and still some closed down, leaving a short lived vacancy for another’s aspiring fortune.
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— The Loop Scoop
January 10th, 2012
In 6 Words: Dunkel, Bier, Prost!, Party, Fußball, Unpretentious
A couple of years ago, I stumbled home from a pilgrimage to Munich and the Dunkel-drenched tents of Oktoberfest, straight into a nasty bout of beer depression. Don’t get me wrong. I love Houston and I love our Texas brewers. But I was suddenly discontented with most of my former haunts and their lack of sudsy German goodness. Even my sanctified Arnolds stouts seemed incapable of lifting the fog of post-festival ennui. Just as I was preparing to buy the German version of Rosetta Stone, start shopping for an apartment off the Marienplatz, and abandon all hope of ever again leading a normal Lone Star life, Bar Munich opened its doors early in 2011. And I’ve pretty much been there ever since.
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— Kerri
December 13th, 2011
In 7 Words: Jukebox, Candles, Dark, Paneled, Wood, Cheap, Montrose
Cecil’s Pub on West Gray was pitched to me by fellow Loopster, Tea on a frosty Houston night in a December like any other we’ve had in recent years. I’d never heard of Cecil’s, let alone ever noticed her on any number of countless times I’d careened down West Gray.
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— Richard
December 5th, 2011
In 6 Words: Tequila, Luchador, Tacos, Mexi-dive, Skirts, Muertos
When the first question you get asked upon entering an eatery doesn’t have anything to do with how many people are in your party, but rather, “Would you like to try a hops-infused tequila flight?”, you know you’re in for a night full of funny hats, impromptu body graffiti and a bath with a stranger. Thanks, El Gran Malo (Spanish for “The Judgmental Grandmother”)!
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— Tea Jones
