River Oaks’ Favorite Gourmet Cafe Is Moving — and Morphing Into a Full Restaurant With Grand Visions

Relish Fine Foods amassed a loyal clientele during its four years in a quaint gray clapboard building on San Felipe Street, in the Ouisie’s and Janus et Cie nexus. The River Oaks location houses a variety of housemade and locally crafted goods, all masterfully curated for a streamlined shopping experience.

Then there are the signature sandwiches and salads (even comfy Rice Krispies treats) responsible for packing the shop’s interior. The petite lobby is literallySRO during the daily lunch rush — but not for much longer.

Relish owner Addie D’Agostino is taking the brand to new heights with Relish Restaurant & Bar, her first foray into the full-service dining scene. In October, she and her new husband, Relish executive chef Dustin Teague, debut the expanded eatery in the former space of The Bird & Bear Restaurant, at 2810 Westheimer Road near Kirby.

“Pardon the pun, but we have been relishing the move to our new location in the heart of Upper Kirby,” D’Agostino says. “We’re so excited to finally have the space and functionality to bring our long-term vision for Relish to life, while delivering enhancements that our clients, many of whom live and work in the area, have been asking for.” 

Expect a fusion of Mediterranean and American cuisine, including peach-lined burrata salad, crispy fried chicken, crème fraîche-topped glazed carrots and a spicy watermelon margarita. The lunch and brunch service will echo the original Relish’s grab-and-go roots with quick food fixes such as Greek yogurt with homemade granola and berries, various soups and cold and hot sandwiches.

Relish Restaurant Bar is officially open for lunch Monday through Friday from 11 am to 3 pm.