LUCILLE’S NEW MENU SERVES UP SOUTHERN CHARM WITH A TWIST
Houston Chef Creates Travel-Inspired Dishes for Museum District Hot Spot
HOUSTON (November 15, 2016) – Lucille’s, a locally-owned restaurant specializing in well-refined Southern cuisine with infusions of international techniques and flavors, today announces it is taking a new culinary direction by launching a brand new menu in honor of its fourth birthday.
“After four years of success with our original menu, we are ready to introduce new dishes that truly showcase our culinary skills and experiences around the world,” said Executive Chef Chris Williams, who is classically trained in Southern, French, Mediterranean, West Indian and East African gourmet fine dining. Prior to opening Lucille’s and after graduating from Le Cordon Blue in Austin, Texas, he traveled around the world, working stages at restaurants in Lithuania, England, the U.S. and all points in between. “Our goal is to deliver a new chapter in Southern culinary history by adding dynamic and delicious influences from other cultures that challenge, surprise and delight our guests,” said Chef Williams.
The brainchild of brothers and business partners, Chris and Ben Williams, the restaurant is a tribute to the culinary tradition created by their great-grandmother, Lucille B. Smith, who was an educator, culinary innovator and successful entrepreneur who founded her own food corporation. Today, Chef Chris Williams and Chef de Cuisine Khang Hoang continue to pay homage to the restaurant’s namesake by replicating some of her most famous recipes, including her iconic chili biscuits and hot rolls, while embellishing others to create unique takes on Southern food classics. “The new menu is a marriage of fresh, Southern ingredients with European and Asian techniques and flavors, creating magnificent and unexpected flavor profiles,” said Chef Hoang, whose family is from Vietnam.
The new menu, which features more affordable, shareable plates, includes dishes like Miso Quail, a Texas farms bird brined in miso and sorghum, pan roasted and placed atop serrano cheddar grits with house-made collard-green kimchi, and Steak Tartare made with sous vide hanger steak and glossed with oyster aioli. Other standout dishes include the Saigon Shrimp, char-grilled, head-on Gulf shrimp with a citrus slaw and lime, and the Braised Goat Neck, local HH Farms goat and potato dumplings with tomato braising jus. The Roasted Butternut Squash, a vegan dish, is topped with cilantro purée, spiced house-made soy yogurt, roasted pumpkin seeds and fennel fronds.
“Lucille's is a dining experience that revives 20th century principles of consistency, service and care with 21st-century culinary innovation,” said Chef Williams. “Whether you need a place to entertain business clients, celebrate a special occasion or enjoy time with family and friends, Lucille’s provides a welcoming, upbeat setting with bold, satisfying dishes.”
Nestled in a 1923 Mission-style home on a tree-lined street in the heart of the Museum District, the restaurant includes three dining rooms and an open kitchen that maintain the original structure’s gracious and welcoming southern charm. The backyard and outdoor patio features raised garden beds where Williams grows five varieties of tomatoes, as well as basil, collard greens and various herbs that are used to create their fresh, flavorful dishes.
About Lucille’s:
Lucille’s is a locally-owned restaurant in the heart of Houston’s Museum District, which specializes in well-refined Southern cuisine with infusions of international techniques and flavors. Co-founded in August 2012 by brothers Chris and Ben Williams, the restaurant is a tribute to the culinary tradition began by their great-grandmother, Lucille B. Smith, who was an educator, culinary innovator and successful entrepreneur who founded her own food corporation. Today, Executive Chef Chris Williams and Chef de Cuisine Khang Hoang continue to pay homage to her by replicating some of her most famous recipes while embellishing others to create innovative takes on Southern food classics. Located at 5512 La Branch Street, the hours of operation are Tuesday - Friday 11am - 10pm, Saturday brunch 10am - 3pm, dinner 4pm - 10pm and Sunday brunch from 10am - 3pm. Happy hour is Tuesday - Saturday from 3-7pm at the bar and outdoor patio. For more information, please visit www.lucilleshouston.com or call 713.568.2505. Follow us: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram