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Client BlogTeamwork makes the dream work: Savoring the triumphs of first-ever Texas Michelin Guide
November 15, 2024
Client Blog

Teamwork makes the dream work: Savoring the triumphs of first-ever Texas Michelin Guide

Success is sweetest when it’s shared, or so the saying goes. If that’s true, then the shared joy and congratulations following the announcement of Texas’ first Michelin Guide restaurant honors will be felt and savored for months to come.

Greg Morago

Success is sweetest when it’s shared, or so the saying goes. If that’s true, then the shared joy and congratulations following the announcement of Texas’ first Michelin Guide restaurant honors will be felt and savored for months to come.

The Lone Star State’s remarkable showing within the guide’s inaugural survey of the Texas restaurant scene (announced Nov. 11 in a lavish ceremony at Post Houston’s 713 Music Hall) was a thrilling validation of something we’ve known for years: Texas restaurants are tops, and Houston dining can’t be beat.

The spirit of shared success obviously will be celebrated by the dedicated, hard-working restaurant teams recognized by Michelin. But it also resonates here at Public Content. As the agency of record, we are proud to represent the work of amazing clients who, thanks to Michelin, are Texas’ new restaurant royalty:

Le Jardinier: The accomplished, highly polished fine-dining experience at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston was among the six Houston restaurants earning a coveted 1-star Michelin rating. No Texas restaurant was rated higher than 1 star, which puts Le Jardinier in an elite category of the highest achieving restaurants in the state. A single Michelin star is a game changer; a prestigious recognition of quality, execution and consistency. Bravo to Le Jardinier’s executive chef Felipe Botero and Alain Verzeroli, culinary director of The Bastion Collection. Houston diners have recognized just how special Le Jardinier is since its opening in 2021. Now the world knows too.

The Pit Room: Sambrooks Hospitality’s acclaimed barbecue joint in Montrose was among the recipients of Bib Gourmand, a distinction that recognizes restaurants offering “good quality food for a good value.” One-star establishments are traditionally of the fine-dining ilk, which makes the Bib Gourmand category more interesting because the restaurants represent more casual, everyman dining. In other words: the way we eat daily in Houston (barbecue joints, casual Asian, neighborhood mainstays). Of the state’s deserving 45 Bib Gourmand restaurants, more than a third of them are in Houston. And The Pit Room found its place in this realm of essential dining – a huge honor for our smoked meats superstar.

Candente: If restaurateur Michael Sambrooks is walking around with his chest puffed out, it’s for good reason. The founder of Sambrooks Hospitality enjoyed the unusual distinction of being tapped twice by Michelin: For The Pit Room and for the wildly popular Candente. The Tex-Mex restaurant in Montrose was among seven in Houston (out of 57 statewide) selected as a Michelin Recommended restaurant for “high quality dining.” Candente’s honor stands out not just for what it says about the mesquite smoke-fueled Tex-Mex menu but about Michelin’s view of Texas Mexican restaurants overall. While Texas barbecue basked in Michelin limelight, Tex-Mex felt woefully underrepresented given its place in our dining culture. Precious few casual Tex-Mex restaurants and taquerias made the Michelin list; in Houston only one was a Michelin Recommended restaurant. That distinction fell to Candente. In a city that prizes its fajitas, nachos, tacos and combo plates, Candente is the sole torchbearer of our hot, burning love affair with Tex-Mex.

Le Jardinier executive chef Felipe Botero and The Bastion Collection culinary director Alain Verzeroli

Georgie and Knox Bistro: Our newest clients in Dallas, the renowned Travis Street Hospitality group, had good reason to break out the bubbly (and we’re talking the good stuff: the French). Two of Travis Street’s stars in its portfolio of luxe, French-inspired restaurants, made the Michelin cut. Knox Bistro and Georgie, synonymous with the style of posh dining Dallas is known for, were named Michelin Recommended restaurants. Nabbing two spots in the list of 20 Dallas Recommended restaurants was no small feat. Georgie and Knox, both grounded in French technique-driven dining and impeccable service, find themselves in elite company within the DFW restaurantverse, including Crown Block, Fearing’s, Mister Charles, Tei-An and Mercat Bistro. For the intrepid hospitality group, the Michelin recognition comes at an exciting time. Travis Street has just opened two adjacent projects within The Terminal at Katy Trail: the upscale, luxury travel-inspired Le PasSage and its more casual sister concept, Rose Cafe at Le PasSage. Both embody Travis Street’s uncompromising quality while furthering the group’s commitment to building a sense of community within the Knox neighborhood. Our hats off to executive chef Bruno Davaillon of Knox Bistro and executive chef R.J. Yoakum at Georgie. Both chefs boast resumes with Michelin heritage (Davaillon’s Michelin background comes from his work with Alain Ducasse; Yoakum’s most recent Michelin association is via Thomas Keller’s The French Laundry). We honor both teams and look forward to great culinary adventures to come from Travis Street Hospitality.

In the spirit of collaboration, we recognize the work it takes not just to open and run a restaurant but promote its efforts to the general public, culinary media and the food-obsessed social media. Communicating our clients’ messaging and directing their narrative is what we do. Success such as Michelin recognition is theirs to revel in and ours to savor. We salute our talented, deserving clients and look forward to continuing these strategic alliances that celebrate hard work and honor culinary excellence.

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