Ben Berg’s Latest Washington Avenue Restaurant is Already Making a Big Splash

Berg Hospitality Group appears to have hit another home run with the opening of B.B. Lemon, directly across Washington Avenue from the group’s famed B&B Butchers & Restaurant. Just ask the 200 or so friends, family and loyal B&B customers who turned out for the way casual opening on Tuesday.

Whether it was the raw bar, the chili or the blue crab beignets that had guests swooning, it didn’t matter. This crowd was soaking up the vibes and the bites that have become Ben Berg‘s restaurants’ signature. True to his vision, the menu serves no-fuss, classic dishes that are said to blend the best of the his two favorite cities — hometown New York and adopted hometown Houston.

The man has a penchant for lemons and viewed the name as something of a fresh take on restaurant traditions and an homage to two of his fave Manhattan eateries where lemons have a role in the decor. On this perfect night, the party was held under the stars on the patio, flush with newly-planted lemon trees, that will be open for al fresco service in several weeks.

Executive chef Eric Johnson was on hand to insure that the bit-sized grilled cheese sandwiches, bacon parmesan, banana pudding, root beer floats and more were perfection. Likewise, beverage director Monique Cioffi-Hernandez oversaw the cocktail scene.

Entertainment was a mixed bag with a bag piper (a nod to the Irish-pub influenced decor) and Flashdrive, featuring a DJ and four string players. Talk about a sound!

The Berg Hospitaly Group portfolio includes B&B Butchers & Restaurant in Houston and Fort Worth and Carmelo’s Cucina Italiana with more in the works.

Lemon lovers: Monica Berg, Lou Savarese, Eric and Bridgett Christiansen, Nick Florescu, Lou Savarese, Jeff Bagwell, Elizabeth and Zach Fertitta, Terry Davis, Delaina Joseph, Jack Rains, David Denenburg, Rick Antona, Isaac and Cynthia Preminger, Rick Goldberg, Amanda Tuckery and Alex and Anthony Heins.