On your corner: Chelsea and Montrose Blvd
The Museum Area Municipal Association, located within the Montrose District bounds, encompasses roughly Main Street on the east, Shadowlawn St., Waverly Ct., Yoakum Blvd., West 11th Place, and Bayard St. form the southern boundaries, Graustark Street on the west and the Southwest Fwy on the north. This little area is as walkable as any surrounded by art galleries, eateries, auto shops and more. To prove it, we parked and took a walk around the neighborhood and talked to some of the businesses in the area. Below we feature some of our finds we stumbled across. Do you live in the area? What are your neighborhood staples that we missed?
Museum District Eye Center is way more than your average eye doctor – but they do that, too. They offer eye exams, screenings, contact lenses, retina and cataract surgery and you can shop their designer eye glasses. Dr. Charles Garcia and his team have built a beautiful practice leading Houston with the latest equipment and diagnostic tools available – and a great parking lot! You’re in good hands at the Museum District Eye Center. Dr. Garcia has participated in medical research for more than 30 years including landmark studies on diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and retinitis pigmentosa. He is a leader in the medical and surgical management of retinal problems.
Montrose Automotive Center offers almost every car service you could ask for – and stellar customer service. In fact, that is owner Ibraham Omran’s top priority. His team is responsible, reliable, knowledgeable and friendly, to boot [even letting me take over their waiting room the other morn as my makeshift office while they plugged a whole in my tire [$10 and 15 minutes is all it took but I took a 30 minute phone call upon arrival.] And their Yelp reviews show their commitment to the customer. In a hurry? Drop off your car, they provide shuttle service to and from your office.
Grand Prize Bar: This hip reincarnation of former local watering hole Ernies on Banks quickly became a new fav winning Best New Bar the year it opened but has had its share of hiccups losing its patio and beloved food trucks out front but now you can get that same fare but better from their own kitchen – like duck enchiladas – HOORAY! Enjoy their large upstairs patio and chill lounge downstairs. And specialty cocktails – the perfect way to take it down after a long day.
Danton’s Gulfcoast: From the Houston Press, “Danton Nix isn’t Cajun, but you’d never know it from his spot-on Cajun and Creole dishes at his namesake restaurant. Tucked into an unassuming building in the Museum District, Danton’s always feels like your own secret discovery. Nights spent gulping down fresh Gulf oysters in the mahogany-paneled bar with an IPA or Sundays spent at its laid-back jazz brunches are some of the best dining experiences to be had in Houston. Try the oyster stew with tasso or the crawfish half-and-half for a taste of the Big Easy in the Bayou City.” Winner of Best Cajun AND Best Seafood in the city in last year’s Best Of awards, Danton’s also boasts a sweet Monday oyster happy hour that is not to be missed. And, while I haven’t tried it yet, I’m told the Bloody Danton (their bloody mary made with their gumbo, strained and mixed with vodka) is ‘heaven in a cup.’
Chelsea Grill‘s sweet potato wontons are positively addictive. This casual American eatery also features 1/2 price bottles of wine every Wednesdays and great patio. A great stop before the theater or after work because there is something for everyone – from the tried-and-true to the more unique and adventurous. Stop by Sunday brunch for the famous sake berry punch.
Blue Mambo is a full service salon with a friendly, funky vibe specializing in color and has been styling Page Park’s models for over 18 years. Needless to say, they’re legit. Ronnie, the owner, is as fun and friendly as the rest of his staff. But you don’t have to take out word for it. Check out their Yelp reviews. They can also hook you up is you’re in need of extensions, make-up services, a little glisten with a spray tan … and pretty much anything else.
Main Street Theater‘s second location is located in Chelsea Market and home to their children’s productions as well as their special engagements, like Girls Only! The Secret Comedy of Women, playing right now. While MST presents main stage productions that challenge it’s audience and sweep the Houston Theater Awards – they also present kid-friendly shows like Busytown and teach theatre to youngsters at their seasonal camps. Their outreach programs and camps for kids are some of the best in the city – noted by their constant sold out status.
We’re walking Montrose neighborhoods for the local flavor. Have a fav corner? Want us to showcase your local shop owners? Drop us a note in the comments and we’ll walk by.
