Book your table at this new Wine Country restaurant before it gets a Michelin star
Enclos opened in December, and my verdict is in: Yes, it absolutely will.
This is not a formal review of Enclos — a distinction that may matter less to readers and more to my editors and me. I've only visited one time as opposed to the customary three for reviews, but that was enough to certify that chef Brian Limoges has made good on his ambition.
There is much to find charming about Enclos, from the Victorian building in which it is housed, half a block from Sonoma's downtown plaza, to the copper pots and dried flowers framing the kitchen — a touch that reminded me of Saison and Angler, where Limoges oversaw operations for two years. Waiting for us at our table was a note of welcome, a pen and ink illustration of two deer in a meadow of wildflowers, shaded in with colored pencil. These personalized cards are the work of Larry Nadeau, a nearly 20-year veteran of the French Laundry who now oversees the excellent service at Enclos.
If there's a conceit to the restaurant, it's that the 13 or so courses ($235, not including 20% automatic gratuity) in Limoges' menu refract his New England upbringing through a California lens. There's a chawanmushi that nods to clam chowder, venison tartare tarts (tartartes?) that reference the state animal of New Hampshire, where Limoges grew up. The concept is lightly sold and not always a clear throughline for the meal, but those tartlets are so exquisite that had our server told me they were an homage to Chef's favorite movie 'Bambi,' I'd have said, uh huh, any chance I can have another? The raw venison, served in a shell made with smoked oats, is crowned with a dramatic tuft of salty, wispy fried lichen that somewhat resembles nori in texture.
In advance of a course of aged tuna belly over Koshihikari rice, a server will visit your table with an intact slab of the fatty fish to demonstrate how 60 days can transform the flesh. The toro was the highlight of my meal. A miraculous brown butter passion fruit zabaglione pitted richness and acidity against one another, and gleaming succulents added crunch.
Pastry chef Sophie Hau, most recently of Californios, ensures the meal ends on an operatic high note. The evening's final bites, two wee ice cream sandwiches that resemble Choco Tacos in form, arrive perched on a frame of honeycomb. The two-bite delights left me outraged that honey is not more frequently viewed as a main character rather than just a sweetener.
There were a few misses among the hits, most notably a course where duck tortellini were finished at our table with brodo poured from a vintage silver urn. Sipping the broth from the cup left my lips slicked with fat and my tongue wishing for acidity. The gorgeous urn, the honeycomb, the tuna belly show-and-tell — for the most part the dramatic flair works marvelously. But by the end of the evening, my dining companion and I found ourselves sneezing. A course of smoked Wolfe Ranch quail legs is presented tableside, smoke billowing out of a handcrafted wooden box. We were seated in the narrower of the two dining rooms, and my sensitive sinuses grew to dread the arrival of the quail course at the tables around us. (Of note, a friend who was seated in the larger room did not share my sneezy experience.)
Regardless of which room you end up in, ask to poke your head into the other. The space, which housed Stone Edge's previous restaurant, Edge, has been overhauled by Jiun Ho, the designer behind Saison. The result feels like a Scandinavian tiny house, one room moody with ebony shou sugi ban'd walls, the other light and clad in cedar. While an astonishingly intricate papercut artwork is a holdover from Edge, the new sheep's wool tapestries that adorn other walls not only add textural dimension but also absorb sound — a thoughtful touch in a restaurant full of thoughtful touches.
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Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
America's Best Small Towns of 2025
Like apple pie and ice cream, what's more American than a small town? Sure, there's no doubt big cities have their draws: the electric buzz of New York City, the palm tree-lined streets of Los Angeles, and the glittering sunshine of Miami. But with their slower pace of life and wistful air of nostalgia, there's just something about small towns. And let's be honest—there are some misconceptions about these gems scattered across the country. Small towns certainly don't have less to offer than their more populous siblings. You don't need to book a plane ticket to your nearest major city to see a brilliant modern art exhibit or to stock up on the latest fashions. In fact, you can do it all while enjoying a sandy beach day by the sea, a soak in historic hot springs, or a quick adventure on the lake. This year, the Travel + Leisure team rounded up 10 of the most exciting small towns across the U.S. and divided them into categories to best suit your next getaway. We hope these small towns inspire you to hit the road and explore the little places on the map that help make our country the special place it is. Best Small Beach Town Asbury Park, New Jersey Bruce Springsteen's album "Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J." put the town on the global music map in 1973, and for years, only die-hard music fans made the trip to Asbury Park in hopes of scoring tickets to shows at legendary venues like the Stone Pony. But in the early aughts, the LGBTQ+ community invested heavily in the town, restoring its Victorian colonial homes. 'Their investments in real estate and business start ups helped fuel the rebirth which we see exploding today,' says Deb Masco, an employee at the Asbury Ocean Club hotel. The historic boardwalk has been completely reimagined and rivals the coolest street in Brooklyn. 'The diversity is incredible,' says Clinch. 'You can walk down the boardwalk and see gay, straight, black, white, tattooed, conservative, you name it, types of people,' he says. The diverse community has fostered creativity that extends beyond music, to the arts, food, and design scenes. 'There's a raw, creative energy that's hard to describe unless you've spent time here,' says Shauna Lagala, complex hotel manager at the Asbury Collection. 'It's weird in the best way—a mix of old-school Jersey, artists, punks, surfers, and people who just don't want to live anywhere typical. It's the kind of town where you can grab a cold brew at a café run by someone in a band, then walk five minutes and end up in a tattoo shop or an art gallery.' Explore Asbury Park Best Small Mountain Town Boone, North Carolina Rising from the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, Boone, North Carolina, hums with a renewed spirit. The North Carolina town in the Blue Ridge Mountains is home to several buzzy boutique hotels; the Horton Hotel will unveil eight brand-new luxury suites this fall, and the 1850 Hotel opened its doors in March 2025 right on historic King Street. In 2023, Rhode's Motor Lodge awakened from its kitschy slumber, its mid-century charm restored. And Boone's culinary landscape blossoms with bold flavors and unexpected pairings, from rising Asian eateries like The Happy Persimmon and CoBo Sushi Bistro to local vineyards coaxing crisp bubbles from mountain grapes. Long summer days invite you to chase sun-dappled hiking trails, while autumn ignites the mountains in fiery reds and golds, the air rich with the scent of woodsmoke and earth. 'I love the size of it,' says Andy Long, chef and co-owner of Over Yonder, 'small enough to know your neighbors, big enough to have a vibrant dining and music scene. When you talk to people here, it feels like you've known them forever.' From immersive new exhibitions like Jack Boul: Land, City, Home at The Blowing Rock Art & History Museum to events like the iconic Tweetsie Railroad's Heritage Weekend in August, this year offers rich new ways to explore Boone's fusion of historic charm, modern creativity, and deep-rooted traditions that garnered it the moniker, 'Heart of the High Country.' Explore Boone Best Small Lake Town Ogallala, Nebraska 'Not Your Ordinary Town!' boasts a mural on East 1st and North Spruce, marking the entrance into downtown Ogallala, Nebraska. They're right: despite a population of 5,107 spread over barely five square miles, the 'Cowboy Capital of Nebraska' is brimming with history, culture, and Western flair. The town, which derives its name from the Oglala Sioux tribe, was originally a cattle drive stop along the Union Pacific Railroad. Today, it's a charming destination just minutes from not one, but two lakes. At Lake McConaughy—affectionately known to locals as 'Big Mac'—you'll find over 100 miles of soft white sand and clear waters that attract fishers, kayakers, and scuba divers. McConaughy's little sister to the east, Lake Ogallala, may not be as impressive in size, but its sedate, wind-protected waters and winter eagle-viewing facility have their own unique draw. As Ogallala continues to flourish, the town has big plans for the future: Lake Mac Casino Resort, a casino complex that includes a horse racetrack, 180-room hotel, and event space, is expected to complete construction as soon as 2027, with a temporary casino slated to open in the meantime. Explore Ogallala Best Small Desert Town El Centro, California El Centro is the type of town that takes you by surprise. You might expect to pass right through—only to end up spending the better part of an afternoon discovering awesome indie boutiques, stellar tacos, and a warm, creative community. Just over two hours east of San Diego and 15 miles north of the Mexican border town of Mexicali, El Centro has both grit and charm. 'Five cars is considered traffic in El Centro,' jokes Mark Silva, owner of the new Gateway Gallery in nearby Ocotillo. 'The town constantly seems to be on the verge of emerging.' The region's first hotels have popped up in the past year, including an Insta-worthy hot springs hotel midway between San Diego and El Centro, and a handful of makers and chefs are setting up shop in town. The annual Bombay Beach Biennale, a word-of-mouth gathering of creatives, will celebrate its 10th anniversary next year, and a shocking amount of musicians come through this remote desert area. This desert town's gems don't jump out. You need to be looking to discover the cool vintage and vinyl stores, craft beer bars, and artisanal coffee spots. It's fresh off its first-ever restaurant week and given its proximity to the border, the Mexican food is sensational. Plus, hot springs, hiking trails, and funky public art installations are all just a drive away. Explore El Centro Best Small Arts + Culture Town Sewanee, Tennessee 'Sewanee looks like a sleepy college town lost in the Tennessee woods, but there is something unusual happening [here] just about every day and throughout the year,' says Woody Register, professor of history and director of the Roberson Project on Slavery, Race, and Reconciliation at the University of the South. 'Throughout its 170-year history, Sewanee has been very much entangled in the hopes, dreams, conflicts, and contradictions of the world around it.' Set atop Tennessee's Cumberland Plateau, the town is a place that continues to support artistic self-expression and exploration in all forms—books, poetry, music, architecture, dance, theater. It's also a case study in how culture is forged by diversity, religion, history, tradition, and authentic human relationships. From publishing the The Sewanee Review, America's oldest continuously published literary quarterly, to hosting the historic Sewanee Summer Music Festival, Sewanee is, and has always been, a space for ideas to form and take root. Explore Sewanee Best Small Food + Drinks Town Bardstown, Kentucky If you're new to the whiskey world and are just dipping your toe into distillery tours, Bardstown, Kentucky, might be one of those blink-and-you'll-miss-it towns you pass on your way to Lexington or Louisville. But to connoisseurs, it's known as 'Bourbon Capital of the World,' and for good reason: there are 11 distilleries within a 16-mile radius of downtown Bardstown. Even if you're not big into brown spirits, there's plenty to tempt your taste buds here. During spring, summer, and fall, Bardstown hosts a robust farmers market and farm-to-table dinners. Throughout the year, buzzy events like Bardstown Burger Week and the Kentucky Bourbon Festival draw crowds. Any time you swing by, you can fuel up at a variety of seasonally-focused restaurants with bountiful bourbon selections (naturally), Kentucky-made beers, and seriously impressive wine lists (Oak & Ember, for instance, has a level-three sommelier on staff). 'The fact that Bardstown is not a big metro area is part of its charm,' says Kentucky native Norma Smith, a bourbon butler at The Trail Hotel, a newly-opened luxury boutique hotel . 'Folks can come here, learn about bourbon's history, explore local businesses, and not have to feel the hustle-bustle of a large city. Bardstown is a small town with plenty of awesome things to do—and taste!' Explore Bardstown Best Small Spa + Wellness Town Mineral Wells, Texas An hour west of Fort Worth, Mineral Wells, Texas, is a small town steeped in wellness history. It began in 1877, when James Alvis Lynch moved his family and livestock to the area, dug a well on their property, and discovered the water had a funny taste. After testing it on their cattle with no side effects, they began drinking the water themselves, and soon, James and his wife, Armanda, who both suffered from rheumatism, started feeling better. It's said the mineral waters here have a higher concentration of lithium, which helps treat a range of mental and mood disorders. Word spread like wildfire, and tourists from around the world flocked to Mineral Wells in the early 20th century to experience these healing waters. By 1920, the town had 400 mineral wells and was touted as the 'South's greatest health resort.' A century later, Mineral Wells—now the official Wellness Capital of Texas—is seeing a resurgence as locals rally together to revitalize historic properties and honor its wellness theme. Stop into town and you'll feel the slower pace of life and small-town charm coupled with that buzzy aura of rebirth and opportunity. Here, you'll realize there really is just something in the water. Explore Mineral Wells Best Small Retirement Town Panama City Beach, Florida With 320 days of sunshine, plenty of parks, and no state income tax, Panama City Beach (PCB) is an affordable small-town gem (population 19,393) on Florida's Panhandle that's increasingly capturing the attention of retirees. I've called this place home for over three decades, and each morning I take a walk along the soft, powdery white sand before joining water aerobics classes at Frank Brown Park—a perfect blend of gentle exercise and community connection. The laid-back town offers natural beauty alongside an active lifestyle, where you can fish, paddleboard, hike scenic trails, and spot bottlenose dolphins in the emerald Gulf waters. The fresh local seafood, annual wine festival, and host of new attractions add to the allure. 'We moved down here, and I just fell in love with this place,' says artist and Beach Arts Group founder Helen Ferrell. 'It's a great place to live, to raise kids—and people treat you well. They embrace everybody: the military, the tourists, the locals.' Daniel Pratt, the owner of Panama City Coffee Co., shared a similar sentiment. 'People stop and say, 'Hey, how are you doing?' There's a community feel here you just don't find everywhere.' Explore Panama City Beach Best Small Family Town Frankenmuth, MI Walking down the tidy Main Street of Frankenmuth, Michigan, it would be easy to mistake the town of roughly 5,000 for a Bavarian village, albeit without the alpine terrain. Flowers cascade from window boxes, almost too full of life to be contained. Common Bavarian architecture—large murals, steep roofs, ornate trim, and wooden balconies—is present in each and every building. Old-fashioned light posts brighten the picturesque two-square-mile town, adding another touch of historical decoration. The narrow Cass River meanders through town, very slowly at just one mile per hour on a good day. As a lifelong Midwesterner and toddler mom, I can't help but appreciate such a warm and welcoming environment that's perfectly suited for multigenerational trips. This walkable town is perfectly set up for family fun, with a gnome hunt, mural finder, family-style chicken dinners, multiple water parks, a slew of eateries, and festivals all year long. With easy access from multiple metro areas, including the Detroit airport, Frankenmuth proves it packs a punch when it comes to accessible fun for the whole family. Explore Frankenmuth Best Small Shopping Town Taos, New Mexico In northern New Mexico, where the Sangre de Cristo Mountains rise above the desert, the town of Taos unfolds. It's one of the few places where everything from shopping to dining feels like an authentic interaction with the people, the culture, and the land. The town is especially known for its handmade Southwestern art, jewelry, and pottery, much of which can be found in the Taos Plaza, the storefront-lined center of the Taos Historic District. The plaza's expansive history dates back to 1796, when the king of Spain granted the land to 63 families in the Taos area. The following settlement became a place where merchants traveled to display their wares—just as they do today. 'This town isn't just special, it's sacred. The pace, the people, the land—it heals you if you let it,' said Maria Valdez, the owner beloved local restaurant La Luna @ La Fonda, in an interview with Travel + Leisure. 'Taos is a crossroads of cultures, histories, and landscapes. You feel it the moment you arrive.' Explore Taos Read the original article on Travel & Leisure Solve the daily Crossword
Condé Nast Traveler
4 hours ago
- Condé Nast Traveler
What It's Like to Fly 13 Hours in Cathay Pacific's New Business Class
In 1983, Cathay Pacific was among the first commercial airlines to introduce a business class cabin, coddling 35 passengers onboard Boeing 747s fitted with widened seats sporting up-to-the-minute leg rests, plus the now obligatory cascades of Champagne. Forty-two years later, the Hong Kong flagship carrier may have just perfected the concept with the introduction of its luxury hotel-level Aria Suites, which come with privacy doors, fully flat beds, cutting-edge tech, Michelin-star meals, and the ambience of a design hotel. It's a new look which has bagged the airline a slew of awards since its recent launch, including a win in the Passenger Comfort category at the Crystal Cabin Awards and a bump from fifth to third place in the 2025 SkyTrax World Airline Awards. To get the lowdown I took to the skies flying from my home in Hong Kong to London Heathrow. The new Aria Suites have chic design details akin to a boutique hotel. Courtesy Cathay Pacific Pre-boarding The ease of traveling with Cathay Pacific is apparent before you reach the airport. The app is a dream—clear, intuitive, and without glitches. Passengers can pick their seats weeks in advance and check in online 48 hours before departure, as opposed to the usual 24 hours. Thanks to an in-town, self-service, check-in desk travelers are able to drop their luggage at Hong Kong Station in the heart of Central anytime between 24 hours to 90 minutes before their scheduled time of take-off—a boon if you have to leave your hotel at midday. From here, it's a breezy 24 minutes on the spotlessly clean, Wi-Fi-enabled Airport Express train and a business class fast-track through HKG's e-channels and CT scanners, which negate the need to remove liquids and laptops. I'm greeted by staff, immaculately attired in red jackets with standing collars, at the lounge within an hour of leaving home. Airport lounge My flight coincided with the reopening of Cathay Pacific's flagship airport lounge, The Bridge. Positioned at the end of the main walkway, it unfolds across two enormous wings: one specializing in Chinese food, the other with a Western menu. British designer Ilse Crawford is behind the design, a soft blur of warm woods, muted browns, mossy velvets, cognac-colored sofas, and tweed swivel chairs. Transit passengers are made comfortable with showers and quiet zones, and the food and drink on offer is always worth checking in early for. I skip my usual wontons at The Noodle Bar to try some new dishes at The Nook: perfectly crisp scallion pancakes, volcanic-spicy lamb bao (buns), and sweet barbecue pork rice rolls. It's all as delicious as anything you would find at Hong Kong's top restaurants. Elsewhere, there are two bountiful hot and cold buffets (both with plenty of vegetarian options), help-yourself ice buckets of wine and Champagne, and a long bar for all your coffee and cocktail needs.
Eater
5 hours ago
- Eater
How to Plan the Ultimate Staycation in Montrose
From the famed Space Center Houston to the expansive Museum District, Houston has its share of top-notch tourist attractions, but thanks to sheer size and the need for a car, it can be hard to navigate Houston on vacation without a local to show you the way. That's why, whether you're a native or out-of-towner looking for a low-key getaway, Montrose is one of the best neighborhoods in Houston to book a hotel room and treat yourself to a foodie staycation. In just under 8 square miles, Montrose is a haven for Houston's Michelin- and James Beard-award winning restaurants, world-class art, and historic gay nightlife. It's impossible to visit every restaurant, bar, and attraction in Montrose in just 24 hours, but this guide will walk you through some of the best the neighborhood — and Houston in general — has to offer. By the way — for Houston's standards, Montrose is almost (almost!) walkable. While you can drive to all the locations listed in this guide, you can also wiggle into one of the many free street parking spots nearby and take the opportunity to explore Montrose by foot. The Mecom Fountain in the intersection of Main and Montrose. Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.: Start your day with tamales and thrift shopping Montrose is an ever-changing, living organism, with new restaurants and shops and bars cycling in and out constantly. But Brasil may outlive us all. The mainstay restaurant on Dunlavy Street and Westheimer Road offers a robust menu of breakfast classics, plus some more unique offerings like a morning grain bowl, as well as bean and braised greens tamales. If the weather is cooperating, eat outside on Brasil's vibrant green patio, and don't forget to order a coffee or tea to start your day off right. After breakfast, head east on Westheimer to window shop at one of the many chic thrift shops along the street. Leopard Lounge, City Vintage and Pavement are all popular, but Out of the Closet at Mulberry Street and Westheimer is also a great choice for its LGBTQ and HIV/AIDS advocacy. Other ideas: If you're not the type to get super hungry in the morning, grab a cold brew/pastry combo from Siphon and enjoy your morning from its cozy dining room. Or, if you don't feel like straying far from Westheimer, consider an espresso and one of the breakfast focaccias from La Sicilia. (Treat yourself to a monkey bread croissant.) 12 p.m.: Lunch at ChopnBlok Hearty West African bowls for lunch. ChopnBlok There's a lot of local places you can choose from along Westheimer for lunch, but ChopnBlok is more than worth your time. Head further east on Westheimer and grab a seat inside in the bright, colorfully decorated living room that celebrates West African art and aesthetics. The Motherland — with steamed rice, curry, yaji-spiced vegetables and sweet plantains — is a warmly spiced, ultra-filling standout here. So's the Trad, with jollof-style jambalaya, halal chicken and more yaji-spiced veggies, and stewed plantains. (You can order the plantains as an appetizer on the side, and they're almost impossible to pass up.) Cap off your meal with one of the classic cocktails, or if it's still a little too early to dive into alcohol, check out the refreshers, like the Cape Town Cooler, with guava, lemon, grapefruit and sparkling water. Other ideas: If you like to sleep in and are feeling something more brunch-y, consider the cheeky (and Guy Fieri-approved) tiki bar The Toasted Coconut, directly south on Richmond and Mandell. The all-day menu offers both breakfast and dinner options, like the honey butter biscuit, with fried chicken, a black pepper biscuit, chili crisp, and cheese. Or, load up on the house dumplings with housemade chili oil, sweet soy sauce, and crispy garlic. For slightly lighter fare, Handies Douzo, a little farther east and a stone's throw from the University of St. Thomas, has a unique and ultra-fresh sushi menu. 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.: Spend an afternoon surrounded by art at The Menil Collection The Menil Collection isn't exactly a hidden secret — it's perhaps the most well-known attraction in Montrose — but it's still criminal that it isn't more famous outside of Houston. Head south on Yoakum, taking a detour around the University of St. Thomas' gorgeous tree-lined campus if you like, then go west on Branard Street to hit up The Menil. It's free, so stroll right in, and take in the little museum's tens of thousands of pieces of art, from modern abstract sculptures to prehistoric relics. If the weather's nice, you can order your lunch to go and eat on the Menil's shady campus, but also make sure to take a quiet moment for yourself at the Rothko Chapel, a nondenominational art piece/chapel that has to be seen to be believed. Other ideas: The Houston Center for Photography is another museum right across the street from The Menil. Its collection is smaller, but it's also free and offers a diverse, rotating selection of exhibitions. Get lost in the galleries at The Menil Collection. The Menil Collection 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.: Shop the rest of your day away at the Montrose Collective After a long day of staycationing, you deserve to treat yourself. Head north back to Westheimer and you'll find the Montrose Collective, a new-ish, mixed-use development that offers more than you could visit in a single afternoon. But why not try anyway? Schedule a facial with Hi, Skin or Skin Laundry, or window shop at one of the many boutique clothing and jewelry stores on site. Paddywax Candle Bar, where you can make custom candles with your own fragrance blend, is a highlight, as is the secondhand luxury goods from The Real Real's Houston storefront. If you get hungry and simply can't wait for dinner, there are plenty of options here, like toast and a matcha latte from La La Land and happy hour wine-by-the-glass and sandwiches from Fiora's Bottle Shop. Other ideas: Not much of a shopper? Go upstairs at the Montrose Collective and spend some time at the Freed-Montrose Library, a unique two-story library with lots of light and plenty of space for kiddos. Grab a book and pull up a chair on the greenery-filled outdoor terrace, but if the weather's too hot, there are plenty of seats inside with gorgeous views of the neighborhood. Just be sure to check the hours on the day you go, because they can be sporadic. La La Land Kind Cafe 7 p.m. to late: Grab dinner and a drink (or two) You have a few options for dinner, depending on who's with you and your mood for the night. If you're with family or plan to join friends for dinner, head one block west on Westheimer and grab a table at Mala Sichuan Bistro. This Sichuan restaurant has a hefty menu of family-style meals, both traditional and more Americanized. The savory eggplant in spicy garlic sauce is a standout here, as is the generously sized red oil dumplings. Of course, it's not a Sichuan restaurant without mapo tofu, and Mala Sichuan serves up one of the best versions in the city. After Mala Sichuan, you're not far from Anvil, one of Montrose's most notable cocktail bars. Grab a seat at the bar or in one of the booths and ask the bartender about the seasonal cocktails — you can order almost anything here, including non-alcoholic cocktails, beer, and wine. A soupy chicken dish. Mala Sichuan Bistro Barbecue Tex-Mex tacos. Candente Not feeling Sichuan? You can head south towards Richmond Avenue instead, and hit up Candente, a Tex-Mex favorite with barbecue bona fides. (Owner Sambrooks Management also operates The Pit Room next door.) The brisket nachos are a must-order, as are the brisket enchiladas and beef fajitas — that may seem like a lot of meat, but hey, it's Texas. After, you'd be remiss not to check out gay piano bar Michael's Outpost, just a short walk west from Candente. Catch a drag show if you come on the right day, but even if you miss it, you'll get to order cocktails and unwind to the sounds of live piano. Other ideas: If it fits in your budget (and you're able to get a reservation), consider March, the fine dining destination that won a Michelin Star last year. The menu here, from chef Felipe Riccio, is available as a six- or nine-course tasting menu, which changes seasonally. Its newest season, which starts August 14, will be inspired by the Levant, a region that includes present-day Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, Israel, and part of Turkey. If you drink, be sure to try the wine pairing menu from award-winning sommelier June Rodil. Late night: Keep the party going with retro hangs and pizza, pizza, pizza If you're not full yet (and not dead on your feet), there are still a few places you can hit up before collapsing in your hotel room. 93' Til, a late-night restaurant/record bar, plays '90s hip-hop on vinyl and serves a thoughtfully crafted list of cocktails and wine by the bottle. Try the Japanese highball, with Hibiki Harmony whiskey, or the '93 Old Fashion, with Bonded Kentucky bourbon, Japanese brown sugar, and bitters. If that sounds a little low-energy for you, consider Beetlegeuse Beetlegeuse's Montrose location, instead. You'll find creative pizzas and cocktails, like the Pickletini, with vodka and pickle juice, and the Black Lemon Drop Cocktail, with vodka, lemon vodka, limoncello, lemon, activated charcoal, edible glitter, and black sugar. Inside Beetlegeuse Beetlegeuse is a hidden surprise, Endless Bummer Tiki Bar, a small but outrageously decorated tiki bar with flaming Mai Tais and light-up cocktails. (You'll need to book a reservation on Resy for the code, though.) Betelgeuse Betelgeuse's neon sign and a glimpse of its back room. Becca Wright Where to stay Montrose has very few hotels, so your options are limited to boutique picks if you want to stay in the neighborhood. La Maison in Midtown, a stately bed and breakfast, is, like the name suggests, technically in Midtown, but it's so close to Montrose proper that you should easily be able to walk or drive to your destinations. For a luxury experience (at luxury prices) closer to the action, you can book a room at La Colombe d'Or. The hotel offers three room types: smaller suites in a 1920s-style at The Mansion, modern aesthetics with a seating area at The Tower, and spacious apartment-sized suites at The Garden Bungalows. Eater Houston All your essential food and restaurant intel delivered to you Email (required) Sign Up By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
