Hugo Ortega Named “Best Chef Houston 2014”

Chef Hugo Ortega is Houston’s best chef of the year according to Houston Press. In their annual “Best Of” edition, Ortega — the chef behind Hugo’s (in Montrose), Backstreet Cafe and Caracol — brought home the honor due to his “continued dedication to quality food and presentations in spite of his busy schedule.”

That busy schedule included publishing a cookbook last year, celebrating the 30th anniversary of Backstreet Cafe and opening a new restaurant in The Galleria area. You can also find his James Beard nominated cuisine at Hugo’s in Montrose, where chef Ortega is often stationed inside the kitchen cooking up authentic Mexican dishes with seasonal ingredients.

Other Montrose Best Of winners include: 
Vinoteca Poscol for Best Risotto
Tacos Tierra Caliente for Best Breakfast Tacos
Common Bond for Best Bakery, Best Desserts and Best Chocolate Chip Cookies
Uchi for Best Service
Brick & Spoon for Best Bloody Mary
David Keck of Camerata for Best Sommelier
Eleven XI for Best Appetizer and Best Oysters
Barnaby’s Cafe for Best Neighborhood Spot in Montrose
Cuchara for Best Mexican Restaurant
Hay Merchant for Best Beer List
BB’s Cafe for Best Cajun Restaurant
Melange Creperie for Best Crepes
Christy’s Donuts for Best Doughnuts
Macaron by Patisse for Best Macaron
Americas River Oaks for Best South American Restaurant
Poison Girl for Best Bar Atmosphere and their Poison Pen Reading Series for Best Reading Series
Cezanne for Best Jazz Club
Rothko Chapel for Best Place to Relax
Slick Willie’s for Best Pool Hall
George Country Sports Bar for Best Gay Bar
Landmark River Oaks for Best Movie Theater