Houston Chronicle

In latest combo-business concept, Fiori opens Ivy Bar & Bistro

- By Greg Morago STAFF WRITER greg.morago@chron.com twitter.com/gregmorago

If a massage and facial invigorate the body and mind while a good glass of wine and some pizza help nourish the spirit, wouldn’t it be great to have them all under one roof ?

Fiori Spa has done just that with the opening of Ivy Bar & Bistro, part of a $2.5 million expansion at the upscale Galleria-area spa. Opening Friday, Ivy is intended to be a bistro by day and a lively, DJ-driven lounge by night, set on a rooftop area that overlooks the spa’s garden.

“The goal was to create an intimate, upscale venue to avoid the masses but still have a great night out or just to meet a friend for a cocktail and a bite to eat,” said owner Roy Horlock, who opened Fiori in 2005. “The location is perfect as it’s a bit off the beaten path yet just a stone’s throw from the Galleria.”

Ivy’s food and beverage manager Tate Drennen (formerly of Sterling House and Lumen Lounge) has created a drinks menu that includes wine, beers from around the world and cocktails such as Rock-A-Rye Baby (rye with honey syrup, lemon, pomegranat­e molasses and orange essence); Divine Goddess (Zephyr gin, elderflowe­r liqueur, smoked rosemary and fresh lemon); French 43 (vodka, Licor 43, fresh grapefruit and champagne); and Pierre, Le Bon Temps (cognac, Creole bitters, pecan orgeat and rhubarb peppercorn tincture).

The food menu will slant Italian with pizzas, paninis, salads, soups and other small bites, as well as cheese boards. Vegan and vegetarian options will include gluten-free vegan pizza made with cauliflowe­r crust, soy cheese and spicy soy sausage.

The rooftop bar, which has seating for 60, features a crystallik­e bar that glows from underneath, French-inspired furnishing­s, floor-to-ceiling mirrors and booths. The space, which can accommodat­e as many as 82 guests, also can be reserved for private parties.

Ivy Bar & Bistro, 2613 Potomac, will be open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Mondays through Wednesdays, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Thursdays and Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays.

 ?? Fiori Spa ?? Food and beverage manager Tate Drennen mans Ivy Bar & Bistro, a new rooftop bar and restaurant opening Friday.
Fiori Spa Food and beverage manager Tate Drennen mans Ivy Bar & Bistro, a new rooftop bar and restaurant opening Friday.

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