Riel Houston

One thing I’ve learned about restaurants over the years — don’t get attached. The business is too unpredictable. Today’s hotspot becomes tomorrow’s “surprise shutter.”

Of course, every rule has its exceptions, which means I’m going to miss the hell out of @rielhouston.

When I published my take on Houston’s top 100 restaurants in 2019, picking Riel for no. 1 made sense. It embodies everything I love about dining in Houston: creativity, consistency, diversity, and a quirky sense of humor — after all, it takes a certain sensibility to serve caviar tater tots.

The pics I’ve posted remind me of the many meals I’ve shared at Riel with friends and family. I treasure these memories.

Congrats to @rlachaine and team on a great run. I can’t wait to see what’s next. Less