State of Grace is Atlanta chef Ford Fry’s love letter to old Houston, a polished Southern restaurant in the Lamar-River Oaks Shopping Center on Westheimer Road, directly across from Lamar High School. Since its October 2015 debut, it has drawn locals for Gulf Coast oysters, wood-fired grill plates, and cocktails built for lingering (source: Visit Houston).
Fry, a James Beard-nominated chef, designed the menu around the flavors of Houston and the Gulf, so expect Texas produce and coastal seafood alongside steaks and other plates from the grill. The raw bar anchors the room, and chilled oysters with a stiff cocktail make a strong start to any meal. The restaurant’s own story recalls bike rides to the shopping center, salty Gulf air, and supper on the table at dusk (source: State of Grace). Designer Elizabeth Ingram gave the bright, airy space a refined but warm finish that suits anniversaries and first dates equally well.
Visitor Highlights & Practical Info
Book ahead through OpenTable, where the restaurant has more than 3,800 reviews. Thursday through Saturday evenings fill up fastest. An early weeknight seating at the oyster bar gives you a calmer room. For large parties or private events, call 832-942-5080 or email [email protected] (source: State of Grace). The address is 3258 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77098. The shopping center has its own parking, and Montrose and the River Oaks District are each a short drive away.
