Established in 2019 by Houston-native, restaurateur and chef, Don Bowie, Taste Bar + Kitchen moves forward authentic Southern cuisine through Bowie’s evergreen menu of globally-inspired brunch fare, comfort food and craft cocktails. Taste’s flagship location is housed in a historic turn of the century home in Houston’s Third Ward and reflects his multi-disciplinary background in entertainment, both in Houston’s jazz clubs and across the country, and hospitality by telling the history of fried chicken and waffles, a dish that originated in Harlem’s music venues during the boisterous jazz era.
Taste Bar + Kitchen’s layered concept rooted in hospitality, cuisine and entertainment begins with Chef Bowie’s expansive menu with innovative takes on the classics including Jerk Lamb Chops, over 17 sweet and savory waffle varieties including General Tso’s Chicken, Nashville Chicken, Jerk Chicken, Chocolate Chip, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Southern Cornbread and Peach Cobbler; an elevated Mac + Cheese program featuring Smoked Gouda varieties, Lobster and Truffle; hearty Soulfood dishes including the famous Taste of Soul comprised of Smothered chicken, collard greens, candied yams, rice and gravy; Twin Lobster boasting one fried and one grilled lobster tail and Chef Bowie’s Shrimp and Grits with Gulf shrimp, bell peppers, bacon, Cajun spices over creamy Parmesan grits and scallions.
An innovative cocktail program punctuates Chef Bowie’s Southern fare including ranging from Sommelier-selected wines, dessert cocktails, house-made sangrias and frozen cocktails. Their talented mixologists’ innovation is seen in favorites like the Cotton Candy featuring rose vodka, pink cotton candy, fresh strawberry and lime juice; The Lavendar Blueberry Margarita boasting El Jimador reposado tequila, crème de violette, blueberry cucumber puree garnished with rock candy and the Hennessy Breeze comprised of red wine, Martell Blue Swift, fruit flavors and a touch of coconut. A series of fruit-forward Mimosa carafes further articulate Chef Bowie’s brunch-forward offerings.
Music is a common thread woven in Taste Bar + Kitchen’s identity. A tailored music experience progresses from daytime hits of classic R&B hits seamlessly transitioning to nightly live music taking place in Taste’s upstairs lounge whose stage houses national acts, local talent and buzzy jazz trios.
Taste Bar + Kitchen breathes life into Bowie’s passion of sharing music, community and food in an inclusive environment and will continue to expand across the Houston, Atlanta and New York markets.