Welcome to The Palm

With their 35th anniversary taking place this year in Houston, it just felt right for Executive Director James Martin, to reintroduce The Palm in a city that has been so welcoming. “What makes the timing so interesting is the similarity of Houston’s economy today with our opening in 1978. This is a city filled with ideas and energy – literally and figuratively – where everyone wants to be now,”
says Martin. So what’s next: with a hot new GM – Scott Sieck and a $5 million dollar renovation The Palm, located at 6100 Westheimer, officially re-opened on July 8, 2013.

Lights Camera Action had the honor to enjoy a seated dinner with other media friends and experience the culinary specialites of the iconic restaurant. The Palm Restaurant Group’s Wally Ganzi, Co-Chairman and third-generation Co-Owner of The Palm Restaurants and Palm Restaurant Group (PRG) — which also operates 28 fine dining, white tablecloth restaurants across the United States, Mexico and London — will help reveal the heritage brand’s first prototype design in Houston. Along with Bruce Bozzi, Jr., Executive Vice President and fourth-generation family member and John Bettin, President and CEO, this milestone is one of many for the Galleria area landmark, which has long attracted a who’s who of locals and visitors since its opening nearly 35 years ago.

Houston is in for a treat. The restaurant has not just been remodeled, but rather rebuilt in nearly every aspect from the ground up with sensitivity to nostalgia and tradition. In addition to a redesign, there is a larger footprint, a new lounge, new lunch menu items and new signage. The very next day of the re-opening we experienced standing room only at the bar, always a good sign. The design team for the renovation was led by Dacre & Younquist, a Chicago-based architect, who is responsible for developing the updated design concept. An additional 1,800 square feet was gained by the acquisition of a neighboring cigar store and expanding the front of the restaurant, bringing the restaurant’s total size to just over 8,800 square feet.

The Palm is the perfect blend of the old and new. The Palm is welcoming more younger and fresh faces in Houston’s social scene but at the same time Palm’s oldest friends are its best friends. Under the direction of Executive Chef Ricardo Ramirez, the menu promises clever revised presentations of old favorites like jumbo shrimp cocktail and hand cut French fries; new lunch options such as Cloak and Dagger, pastrami brisket, Swiss cheese, cole slaw and Russian dressing and Chicken and Avocado Sandwich, with aged cheddar cheese, bacon, tomato, avocado and micro greens; as well as a new Power Lunch menu, that focuses on convenience and time by offering a simple, affordable menu combinations ($25.90). We got to try a delicious 6-course dinner that highlighted the surf and turf: which included a delicious lobster with my choice of seared Ahi Tuna.

The restaurant believes in treating guests like family, therefore guests will be greeted by an dramatic entrance tower, which has been relocated to the front corner of the building facing the bustling Westheimer corridor. In addition, a popular summer lobster program is being reintroduced; Summer Lobster for Two for $79.95, which will run from July 10th to August 31st. So this summer get your family together for something old in a new way. For reservations call 713.977.2544 and for more information visit www.thepalm.com.