Wasn’t it just Monday that Mai’s Restaurant on Milam St. in Midtown burned to a soggy crisp? And the owners said they’d rebuild . . . somewhere.
What timing: The very next day, the other fire-singed Midtown restaurant reopened for the business. Brennan’s of Houston had its battle with flames almost a year and a half ago, right in the middle of Hurricane Ike.
The brick Brennan’s building at the corner of Smith St. and Stuart — as reconfigured by Studio Red Architects — now features a slightly smaller courtyard (and a new but smaller tree to replace the vintage 1970 oak the fire killed), but restores a few original elements — including several large arched windows — from architect John Staub’s original design. There’s a new “courtyard bar,” too. The 1930 building originally housed Houston’s Junior League.
- Houston Welcomes Back an Old Friend [Eating Our Words]
- No longer blackened, Brennan’s is back [Houston Chronicle]
- Brennan’s Is Back [Brennan’s]
- Previously on Swamplot: Brennan’s Restaurant: 80 Percent Back Soon
Photo of Brennan’s of Houston Restaurant, 3300 Smith St.: Jay Lee
Good for the Brennan family! I haven’t been to the one in Houston, but have enjoyed all the restaurants different members of the family have opened in New Orleans.
The Houston Brennan’s was superb and I have every expectation that the resurrected version will be as well.
I would like to know how James and Katherine Koonce are doing–they were the ones seriously burned in the fire.
So glad they’ve rebuilt, and look forward to spending an evening there quite soon. From what I’ve heard, the decor inside and what’s on the menu are both spectacular.