Sambrooks Hospitality — the group behind Houston restaurants The Pit Room and Candente — has announced sizzling plans for its elevated steakhouse concept, Andiron. On November 23, the live-fire restaurant tucked along the Allen Parkway corridor turned a new page as Andiron Grille & Patio — a more relaxed and approachable dining experience featuring one of the Montrose area’s most inviting new patios.
Since opening in 2023, Andiron has set the stage for a new standard in ultra fine dining focused on a refined menu of upscale steak and seafood offerings. Now, after listening closely to Andiron patrons and Houston’s savvy dining community, owner Michael Sambrooks has reconceptualized the restaurant with a menu that better aligns with the neighborhood as a scaled back spot reflecting a more casual approach.
“Our vision for Andiron Grille & Patio is to cultivate an inviting atmosphere where great food, drinks and everyday dining come together,” Sambrooks Hospitality owner, Michael Sambrooks, said in a statement. “The addition of our spacious new patio has provided the perfect opportunity to establish the casual experience on a larger scale. We’re not a restaurant you have to plan far in advance to enjoy, but a local spot you can stop by to grab a bite or beverage any day – and almost any time – of the week. I’m excited to welcome both loyal patrons and new guests as we embark on this next chapter of Andiron.”
Executive Chef Michael O’Connor will continue to lead the culinary charge, infusing the new menu with more wallet-friendly and tavern-style options while keeping the bold live-fire signature flavors that make Andiron a favorite. The Andiron Grille & Patio menu will shine with a hearty selection of shareable small plates such house-made griddled bread; mussels with yellow curry and serrano; a meat and cheese board with seasonal selections chosen by chef; steak tartare with crispy chips and egg yolk; classic Caesar salad; bratwurst sausage roll with marrow onions and beer mustard; and tuna tataki with giardiniera, herb and aioli — all designed for splitting and savoring among groups. Other lighter fare bar snacks include a rotating selection of chips and nuts, grilled olives (Gordal and Castelvetrano varieties), and fresh oysters. Andiron Grille & Patio also welcomes a new signature item, the “Just Rewards”, a playful trio of martini, fries and olives.
Entrées will bring a fresh twist to beloved classics such as a roasted chicken with charred corn salsa; an innovative crab Napoleon, layered with milk bread, tomato and tamarind; and branzino with brown butter fumet and grilled greens. A classic steak frites and a Texas Iberico pork steak with stuffing and jus also join the new menu. Fan favorites such as the Andiron Burger and prime rib sandwich will stay a part of the food offerings, and guests can now pair their sandwiches with a new side of house-seasoned skinny fries served with a trio of ketchup, bearnaise, and spicy mayo. Steak will also remain a focus, with a thoughtfully-sourced a la carte program that includes a filet, strip and ribeye, in addition to affordable, unique cuts of A5 wagyu.
“I’ve always enjoyed the opportunity to create new and exciting culinary offerings at Andiron,” said Chef O’Connor. “The new itineration showcases comfortable, familiar dishes that pull from seasonal ingredients, without compromising the sophistication and quality that remains at the heart of our kitchen.”
The cocktail program has also been reimagined by Andiron’s head bartender, Angel Bautista, who has led the curated beverage program since the restaurant’s launch and recently returned from training in Mexico City’s Handshake Speakeasy. New beverages include carbonated cocktails such as the Guanabana, crafted with Andiron’s house barrel select rum, pisco, guanábana, vanilla, lemon and Greek yogurt; and the Vie En Ver with gin, mezcal, green chartreuse, cucumber, ginger and a citrus blend. A variety of martinis, including the signature Appletini, will remain beverage menu highlights, joining other new additions like the Beet Le Juice with Michter’s Rye, amaro, hot chili, golden beets, lemon, vanilla, sesame chili oil and whey; plus the Go Figure with Tanqueray 10, Campari, sweet vermouth, goat cheese, fig jam and lemon.
The wine program at Andiron Grille & Patio will also see a shift, with the robust menu now adopting a minimal markup model the incorporates a value-driven list of bottles and wines by the glass starting at $12. This turn of direction allows for more rare wines to be readily available and close to market price.
Designed by New York design firm AvroKO, which was responsible for the main dining room, the 2,8000-square-foot chic patio comes equipped with a custom awning featuring a mix of stylish black-and-white cloth shade sails and a hard cover system that allows the patio covering to open and close for optimal shade. Over 50 urns lush with various live greenery and foliage, plus a teeming vine wall of jasmine ivy, transform the terrace into a vibrant cocktail garden. A separate outdoor bar anchors the space, showcased by an emerald green tile accent wall. The comfortable area accommodates up to 75 people seated across a mix of high-top tables and standard table seating. A central fire pit with more lounge-like patio chairs invites guests to mingle during Houston’s cooler months.
The Andiron interior will remain mostly as is, albeit modified with small touches that reinforce the more casual ambience. Table configurations and glassware have been adjusted, and front of house uniforms will transition away from formal suits in favor of a more bistro-style feel.
Andiron Grille & Patio is located at 3201 Allen Pkwy Suite e100, across from Stages Theater. Hours of operation are 4-9 p.m. Monday – Thursday and 4-10 p.m. Friday – Saturday. The patio will have extended hours Thursday – Saturday until midnight. Lunch will pause at the end of November with plans to return in 2025. A new happy hour menu featuring lite bites and $8 cocktails will be available Monday – Friday from 4-6 p.m.
