Montrose Restaurant Celebrates Important Milestone With Starry Party

What: Riel second anniversary bash

Where: The Montrose restaurant on Fairview

PC Moment: Chef Ryan Lachaine and his stellar culinary concoctions have had foodies swooning practically since opening so it was no surprise that as he celebrated two years of heading his own kitchen, a host of notables turned out to celebrate. In a nod to the anniversary, he treated pals to happy hour $2 specials of wine and 8th Wonder brews. Just the ticket for washing down bar bites included Riel’s mini hot dogs, gator karaage (alligator fried Japanese style), tempura cauliflower and beet chips.

For this special evening there was a one-night-only menu created in collaboration with guest chef EJ Miller, Riel’s former executive sous chef and now International Smoke executive chef. Lachaine and Miller treated diners to familiar favorites from Riel’s early days such as yellow edge group crudo, head-on Gulf shrimp and pork tonkatsu tartine.

By the time the party was over, some 200 fans had crossed the portals of the 65-seat restaurant.

PC Seen: Attorney and mayoral candidate Tony Buzbee, former Houston Texans Pro Bowl linebacker Brian Cushing, artist Donkeeboy (aka Alex Roman Jr.), Julep’s Alba Huerta, 8th Wonder Brewery’s Ryan Soroka, Glitter Karaoke and Blood Bros. BBQ’s Robin Wong, the Orange Show’s Elaine Dillard, blogger Carrie Colbert and Michael “Chicken Mike” Graham.