By David J. LeMaster
Photography by Jim Caldwell
Magnolia Bar and Grill was rated as one of the top 10 restaurants by readers of the Houston Chronicle, and named one of America’s Top 50 by GQ. This Houston hotspot specializes in the “preservation of good south Louisiana Cajun-Creole cooking!” Co-owners Jody Larriviere and Jim Gossen have created a lively atmosphere, and guests can easily sense the energetic buzz.
Magnolia offers live music on Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from local rhythm and blues bands, and an elaborate Sunday Buffet Brunch with a 40-foot spread that includes catfish, shrimp, and stuffed snapper as well as Louisiana fried chicken, fruit, salad, and breakfast items.
The relaxed restaurant also offers an oyster bar and a broad array of the freshest seafood, including speckled trout and crawfish. The mouthwatering menu of crab dishes includes crab cakes, soft-shelled crab, and the crab finger dinner. Seafood’s not the only thing they do well. Magnolia also offers prime Chicago rib and great steaks, and the specialties of the house include Opelousas Duck and Crab Maison.
A stunning bar from turn-of-last-century San Francisco dominates the interior. Diners can admire original artwork by Jaime Dimaggio Bayroid as well as Gossen’s oyster plate collection. Magnolia also boasts a humidor and offers premium cigars, plus a wine list that features West Coast wines and French champagnes complement the Louisiana-style cuisine. The exciting dessert list includes bread pudding and rum sauce with a bananas foster-flavored topping, New York-style cheesecake, and fresh pecan pie made in house.
Open Monday through Thursday 11 a.m.- 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; and Sunday 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m.
Menu Highlights
APPETIZERS
Fried Calamari
Fried Louisiana Crab Fingers
Crisp Oyster Toasts
Freshly Shucked Oysters
On the half shell
GUMBO/SOUP
Gulf Shrimp Gumbo
Turtle Soup
Traditional Crawfish Bisque
GULF SEAFOOD CLASSICS
Rainbow Trout
Crab Cakes
Frog Legs
Stuffed Shrimp
With Seasoned Crabmeat Dressing
CRAWFISH SPECIALTIES
Crawfish Etouffee
Fried Crawfish Tails
PRIME CHICAGO BEEF
Filet Mignon
10 oz. select Prime Chicago beef served with stuffed potato and vegetables
Rib Eye
14 oz. of prime center-cut Chicago beef served with stuffed potato and vegetables
FAVORITE PASTAS
Fettuccini Alfredo
Traditional spinach and egg noodles in a rich and creamy sauce
Crab and Crawfish Tortellini
With sundried tomato, sweet corn, and red peppers
BIG ON THE BAYOU
Fried Tender Catfish Filets
Sserved with classic potato fries
FOWL AND GAME
Opelousas Baked Duck
Slow-roasted and served with sweet yams and rice dressing
Magnolia Bar and Grill
6000 Richmond Ave. (at Fountainview), Houston, Texas 77057
(713) 781-6207
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