MontroseChef Aaron Bludorn’s namesake stunner is probably Houston’s top culinary addition of the past few years, and the always-excellent Sunday brunch makes that ring even truer (if you’re in the Rice Village area instead of Montrose, simply substitute Bludorn for a trip to its seafood focused sibling establishment Navy Blue). Start with the famous Oysters Everyway (i.e. raw, fried, and roasted) alongside a rotating Foie Gras selection that is sure to leave you swooning, then treat yourself to leveled up Steak & Eggs featuring short rib hash in chimichurri, Smoked Salmon Benedict with everything crust, last but definitely not least, a giant Sticky Bun for the table because, well, duh. Or keep it to yourself, because also…duh.

Bludorn’s menu lists oysters served “everyway,” which means that oysters are served in the fanciest ways (the option to add uni or caviar is right at the top.) This upscale American restaurant on the edge of Montrose serves them raw with adorably bottled house hot sauce, fried and smothered in tangy mustard gribiche, or roasted under a blanket of crispy bacon and watercress. Throw a few oysters on a seafood tower, slurp some back during brunch, or set your money on fire and dress each one with Siberian caviar.

Another standout dinner option nearby is Bludorn, where Aaron Bludorn, an alum of Netflix’s Final Table and Café Boulud in New York City, presents a fresh take on Gulf Coast cooking. I started with flash-fried octopus in a rich romesco sauce, but it was the lobster-and-chicken pot pie that stole the show: at the table, the server delicately cut it open and mixed in a dollop of citrusy crème fraîche.

B – B&B Butchers, B.B. Lemon, B.B. Italia, Baguette and Tea (Montrose), Banana Leaf, Barcelona, Bari, Barnaby's (Fountainview), Barnaby's (Heights), Barnaby's (Midtown), Barnaby's (Montrose), Barnaby's (Museum District), Barnaby's (River Oaks), Barnaby's (Spring Branch), Bayou City Seafood & Pasta, BB's (all locations), BCN, Becks Prime (all locations but Downtown), Benny Chows, Betelgeuse Betelgeuse (both locations), Better Luck Tomorrow, Bijan, Birraporetti's (both locations), Bistro Le Cep, Black Walnut Café (all locations), Blind Goat, Bloom & Bee, Bludorn, Blue Nile, Blue Onyx, Boheme, Bori, Bosscat, Brasil, Brasserie 19, Brasserie du Parc, Brenner's (both locations), Burger Vibe

Bludorn has quickly cemented itself as one of Houston’s most emblematic destinations, blending French refinement with the rich bounty of the Gulf Coast. Opened in 2020 by chef Aaron Bludorn—formerly of Café Boulud in New York City—the Montrose hotspot pioneered what many now refer to as nouveau Gulf Coast cuisine, where classic French technique meets Texan hospitality and hyperlocal ingredients with an emphasis on fresh seafood. Signature dishes like blue crab fried rice and short rib ravioli showcase Bludorn’s balance of comfort and sophistication, while seasonal Gulf oysters, snapper en croûte, and a sprawling whole roasted chicken with truffle jus pay homage to French and Texan traditions.

Aaron and Victoria Bludorn’s initial foray into the Houston culinary scene has been a runaway success with a full swank dining room during the week, a bustling bar, and a see-and-be-seen brunch service on Sundays. The menu changes seasonally, but you can always count on a handful of classics, like the Crab Rice — a sizable plate of jollof-style Carolina gold rice made with crawfish étouffée and sprinkled with spiced peanuts. Visit on Wednesday for Prime Rib Night: a thick, pink slab of exquisite beef drizzled with a savory jus and served with zesty horseradish cream, jalapeño-infused Yorkshire pudding, plus sides of creamed spinach and potato puree worthy of the best steakhouses.

The buzzy restaurant just off Allen Parkway added Sunday brunch service this year, and it’s packed with fine-dining flair and flavors. There’s music from a live jazz trio as you sip on a breakfast punch (gin and tangerine marmalade) and contemplate seafood towers, salad frisée with poached egg, shrimp and grits, short rib ravioli, several Benedicts (crab cake, spinach and artichoke, or smoked salmon), and lobster and egg scramble served with Tabasco aioli and brioche. Don’t pass up the house-made baked goods including cinnamon buns, cheddar scallion biscuits, and milk bread kolaches stuffed with poblano chiles, pork sausage and cheddar.

For a sense of place, start with thoughtful, regionally inspired restaurants like chef Aaron Bludorn’s eponymous Bludorn, where New American and French techniques meet Gulf Coast ingredients in dishes like lobster chicken pot pie and jollof-style crab rice. Another take on the global Gulf Coast ethos can be found at Manitoba-born chef Ryan Lachai’s Riel, known for kimchi carbonara and house tater tots topped with caviar. For a more classic take on Gulf Coast seafood, head to Brennan’s of Houston, the Texas-Creole sister to New Orleans’ Commander’s Palace, open since 1967.

One of Houston’s most popular dinner destinations — located in the space that once housed Pass & Provisions — offers a Houston brunch to rival its dinner service. Stop in for Sunday brunch for a no-holds-barred meal that might include a seafood tower, chermoula (think of this as a North African chimichurri) octopus, foie gras, and squash soup. Not everything's so fancy at this Montrose/Midtown restaurant: omelets, blueberry pancakes, cinnamon buns, and churros are also on offer if you're seeking something heartier.

Melissa also recommends Bludorn—an acclaimed restaurant located in Houston that is known for its inventive and refined American cuisine. Opened in 2020 by chef Aaron Bludorn—who previously worked at the three-Michelin-starred restaurant Per Se in New York City—Bludorn quickly gained attention for its exceptional food, warm hospitality, and elegant ambiance. The menu at Bludorn showcases a creative approach to classic dishes, with an emphasis on seasonal and locally sourced ingredients.

Fourth Ward | bludornrestaurant.comIt’s likely during your visit at Aaron Bludorn’s namesake restaurant that Cherif Mbodji stops by your table, if only to chat. The affable Senegalese-born general manager, who hooked up with chef Bludorn while they worked at the Michelin-starred Café Boulud in Manhattan, will undoubtedly put you at ease, readying yourself for an unforgettable, sometimes theatrical evening. That’s just the name of the game at this sparkling Fourth Ward jewel.

Bludorn, 807 Taft: When Aaron Bludorn, celebrity chef, alumnus of famed Café Boulud in New York City and husband to Victoria Pappas of the Pappas Restaurants family, announced that he would be opening a restaurant in Houston, we expected something incredible. What he didn’t expect was that he would have to open during a pandemic. But now that Bludorn has opened (after delays caused by COVID-19), it’s one of the few places in Houston where date night was designed for safety.

Nestled in the heart of Montrose, the Bludorn Restaurant is inspired by a French mixed with a New American style that anyone would love by Executive Chef and Owner, Aaron Bludorn alongside their Cuisine Chef (Chase Voelz), Pastry Chef (Marie Riddle), and Corporate Chef (Rob Lough)!. This fashionable restaurant has achieved its goal of passion and integrity for visitors with its menu comprising seasonally rotating dishes, global wines, and handcrafted served cocktails.

Bludorn: Chef-owner Aaron Bludorn has said that the stress of maintaining Cafe Boulud’s star weighed on him, so he probably doesn’t want to repeat that experience in a new city. While it’s certainly possible that Bludorn is a little too big and a little too loud to earn a star, it is also extremely consistent, French-influenced, and ingredient-driven, which are all qualities that should capture the inspector’s attention.

For French-inspired Gulf Coast cuisine, Bludorn is the spot. Chef Aaron Bludorn’s first Houston restaurant, located in a historic district called Fourth Ward, was a near-instantaneous hit. Bludorn and restaurant partner and general manager Cherif Mbodj created a fine dining restaurant with heart, bringing in aspects of his background working as executive chef at Café Boulud in California and New York.

Fine dining without the fuss, Bludorn is where romance meets refinement. Chef Aaron Bludorn has crafted a menu celebrating the best of Texas with French flair that is both luxurious and comforting. The softly lit restaurant offers solace from the high energy of Houston’s Fourth Ward, and dishes like the sea urchin spaghetti and lobster-chicken pot pie can lovingly be shared.

You’ll have an unforgettable night at Bludorn with its moody lighting, lush greenery, and Chef Aaron’s seasonal masterpieces. Impeccable service and intimate ambiance whisper romance, while Baked Alaska’s fiery finale creates memories that linger long after the last bite. Monday – Thursday 4:00 pm – 10:00 pm | Friday – Saturday 4:00 pm – 11:00 pm | Sunday 10:00 am – 9:00 pm

Cocktails, wine, and seasonal cuisine are just a few of the offerings at Bludorn that make this restaurant worth the visit. Executive Chef Aaron Bludorn focuses on New American and French-inspired cuisine that displays his passion for food and fresh ingredients. Even if you’ve visited Bludorn before, there’s always something new to enjoy with their seasonal menu.

Bludorn is the culinary equivalent of that friend who throws the best dinner parties. Led by Chef Aaron Bludorn, this chic-yet-approachable spot delivers dishes like Gulf Coast beignets stuffed with blue crab or a lamb tagine that feels like a hug from Morocco. The airy dining room is as polished as the food, with warm wood accents and a bustling open kitchen.

Chef Aaron Bludorn’s eponymous first solo restaurant is located in the Montrose neighborhood with comfortable fine dining vibes and a menu featuring French-inspired Gulf Coast cuisine. A sister restaurant, Navy Blue, is open in Rice Village. Start your meal with fresh oysters served “everyway,” squash blossoms, or cucumber gazpacho.

Helmed by the widely-celebrated, Executive Chef Aaron Bludorn, his eponymous Bludorn restaurant in Montrose is renowned for its French-inspired, New American fare. Let it be known that in addition to receiving numerous Bludorn mentions in response to our inquiry, we also had plenty mentions of its sister-concept, Navy Blue.

This festive 1,800-square-foot patio boasts a luscious landscape full of greenery that can seat 36 people. Enjoy delectable tastes of French-inspired seasonal Gulf Coast dishes, global wines, and handcrafted cocktails. With state-of-the-art fans and heaters, you can enjoy this cozy, elevated environment all year round.

Score one of the five seats tucked away at the restaurant’s intimate oyster bar, overlooking the action-packed kitchen and shucking station, and work your way through Bludorn’s signature Oysters Everyway menu, which includes raw, fried and roasted preparations each with its own accompaniments.

Cuisine: Modern AmericanLocation: 807 Taft St, Houston, TX 77019. Helmed by Chef Aaron Bludorn, this restaurant blends French techniques with Gulf Coast flavors. The menu features innovative takes on classic dishes, such as Lobster Pot Pie, Dry-Aged Duck, and Oysters with Caviar.

807 Taft St, Houston, TX 77019Phone: 713-999-0146 Visit Website. A post shared by BLUDORN (@bludornhtx). Another Montrose eatery, Bludorn is a fashionable French-inspired New American bar and restaurant from Executive Chef Aaron Bludorn.

807 Taft StHouston, TX 77019(713) 999-0146 Visit Website Open in Google Maps. Bludorn Restaurant is a hip spot dishing up brunch and creative New American eats, plus craft cocktails and a robust wine list.

Located in the heart of Montrose, Bludorn features rotating seasonal menus and global wines. Their three-course dinner costs $55 and offers arugula salad, salmon, pork loin, potato gnocchi and desserts.

Bludorn, a restaurant that beautifully blends French-inspired and New American cuisine is located just a short distance from the Love Lock Bridge

- Rating: 4.3/5 (594 reviews)- Price level: $$$$- Address: 807 Taft St. Houston, Texas - Categories: New American- Read more on Yelp

– Rating: 4.3/5 (594 reviews)– Price level: $$$$– Address: 807 Taft St. Houston, Texas– Categories: New American– Read more on Yelp