Fifth Time's A Charm

One Fifth Steak was a success; One Fifth Romance Languages was an exploratory adventure; and now Chris Shepherd’s all-new One Fifth Mediterranean takes his five-year, five-concept restaurant to its next destination. After spending the past year studying and learning more about Mediterranean cuisine, the James Beard Award winner has tackled another region and found special inspiration in cuisine from the Eastern Mediterranean and North Africa. “I began scheduling meetings at Lebanese restaurants and exploring the aisles of Phoenicia in West Houston,” he says. “I knew the next concept had to be Mediterranean to give me an outlet and to give all of us the opportunity to learn.” Together, Shepherd, chef de cuisine Matt Staph, culinary director Nick Fine and pastry director Victoria Dearmond have created a menu that honors the diverse cultures of the region and is divided into seven sections: dips, small salads, mezze plates, vegetables, family-style dishes, grains and condiments. There’s also a Sightseeing Tour tasting option, which features highlights from each section. For dessert, Dearmond has crafted treats using local ingredients, so don’t miss the mezze plate with chocolate hummus, semolina cake and other snacks. The beverage program has seen just as much thought, and the wine list dives into old-world wines from France, Italy and Spain. 1658 Westheimer Road, 717.955.1024