Brennan’s is back in a big way. This 1967 Houston staple known for their New Orleans style cuisine may have suffered a small inferno, but today their new digs will set your heart and pallets ablaze!

This last Tuesday, Mardi Gras, was opening day. I had the opportunity to get a personal tour of the restaurant guided by Blair Matthews the Marketing Director, and what a savory treat that was. Here is a sneak peak at the new layout. Bonjour!

The Staub Room

When you enter the restaurant to the left you will notice the Staub Room. It is quaint with a glowing fireplace and bookshelves with beautiful décor. It’s named after John Staub the original architect who built the building back in 1929. Staub’s office was downstairs and the Houston Junior League was upstairs.

The Courtyard Bar
During the renovation they saw an opportunity to expand the bar to face the courtyard. This new look will definitely keep cocktailers comfortable. After speaking with Anthony Montz, who tends the bar, he says “We are going to have the most flavorful cocktails in the city”. No doubt, he introduced me to their signature drink known as the “Brennan's Collins” which is a twist on the original “Tom Collins”. This neoclassical cocktail includes lemon juice, gin, local honey, and ginger beer. It’s definitely earthy, spicy, with a bit of citrus served on the rocks. After tasting this you will say “Tom Who??” Other drinks to try are the Hemingway Dacquiri, and The Saint. Are you feeling New Orleans yet?

The Main Dining Room
According to Brennan Martin, “We are going back to the future”. In this main room you will notice new artwork and lavish yellow toned and cream colored interior décor, but the brick is original and so are the beautiful arched windows. Many of the original designs were preserved yet this room now offers much more light. You can say they just built a brand new 80 year old restaurant!

Chef’s Dining Room a.k.a. “2nd Main Dining Room”
The décor is carried throughout, but notice the beautiful wine storage in the glass walls. Blair Matthews also points out that Brennan’s likes to keep an "open kitchen". Guests are invited in the back all of the time. There is even a special “Chef’s Table” in the kitchen comfortably seating eight. This is the hottest spot in the restaurant and Executive Chef Danny Trace will custom create the meal of your dreams. Also coming back is the forever popular “Chef For A Day” attraction. Get ready to cook up a feast and invite your friends and family to enjoy your creations.

Terms Of Endearment
Yes, this room is named after a movie. Scenes from it were filmed at Brennan’s and it is quite the tourist attraction. Notice the beautiful view of the courtyard. The original oak tree did not make it through but give thanks to the City of Houston, as it donated two beautiful new ones. Give them a few years and they will be full of life for all of us to enjoy.

The Little Room
This quaint little place upstairs has nothing but simple Southern charm. It’s a great space for business meetings, intimate gatherings, and again notice the beautiful views of the courtyard.

The Solarium aka the Sunroom
This is a new addition just above the Courtyard Bar. Even though Brennan’s has added much more square footage, the overall seating capacity of the restaurant still caters to about 400 people. It's important for us all to sit comfortably, correct?

Banquet Hall
Yes, now you too can host your private soiree at Brennan’s in secluded luxury. Big or small, this special space can be broken down into 3 separate rooms if need be. Notice the mirror, it lived in the renowned Roosevelt Hotel for years but it was recently discovered in storage. What a find!

The Wine Room
Okay, this is Blair’s favorite and mine too. Notice the darker and richer textures. Bring your sweater ladies, because this room is cold. The temperature is perfect to storing some of the most amazing wines in the city so it’s worth the chill. Blair says, “We really hope our guests come back here and feel like they are home again”. I will raise my glass to that!

The Courtyard Balcony
This is the last room on my tour. It sits up above the Terms Of Endearment Room. This place, like many of the others, takes advantage of the wonderful view of the courtyard. Don’t you feel like you are in the French Quarter?

Well here ends your private tour so now let the fun begin! When you decide to book your reservation, now you know where to sit, so find your new favorite spot. Remember, the cuisine you grew to love is back. Think turtle soup, pecan crusted fish, and bananas foster for dessert! Chef Trace has a few new twists to the menu, however nothing too far out of the comfort zone that people have come to expect. Bon Appetit!

(Pictured Above: Executive Chef Danny Trace & Blair Matthews)

(Pictured Above: Anthony Montz with the "Brennan's Collins" specialty drink)