The Sporting Club
THE CONCEPT
SoClutch Group, the owners of the Sugar Room on Washington, have added to their holdings on the dine-and-drink corridor with a new, upscale restaurant and bar with a huge patio.
THE SPACE
The 8,000-square-foot space with a retractable roof in the main bar/dining area tricked out with crystal chandeliers, antique mirrors, a 360-degree marble bar and a variety of seating and lounge configurations. The patio features an additional bar in the form of a converted Airstream trailer dispensing frozen and bubbly cocktails.
THE FOOD
Executive chef E. J. Miller, formerly of International Smoke, Riel and Clark Cooper Concepts restaurants, is overseeing the menu. Seafood towers, broiled oysters and snapper
ceviche are smart starters before segueing into salads, pizza (one, the Houston Pie, is made with Feges BBQ, Redneck cheddar and Lone Star barbecue sauce) and indulgent dishes such as steak frites and a lobster roll dolled up with avocado mousse and caviar.
THE DRINKS
The Ladies of Libation — veteran beverage consultants Laurie Sheddan Harvey and Kris Sowell, who already worked their spirits magic at Sugar Room — are responsible for the list of creative cocktails. There’s also bottle service and oversize batched cocktails dispensed from pretty mini kegs.
COVID CONSIDERATIONS
Bartenders and servers in masks. Retractable roof and patio doors essentially offer all outdoor seating.
ONE MORE THING
Night owls, take note: The kitchen will serve a late-night menu until 2 a.m. daily.
THE DETAILS
5102 Washington, 713-714-6051; soclutchgroup.com. Open 11 a.m.-2 a.m. daily, serving brunch, lunch, dinner and a late-night menu.