Sleek interiors, savory dishes and a weekend supper club are just a few things to look forward to at James Harden’s reimagined fine dining destination, Thirteen.
On top of its house made dumplings and fresh seafood options, Thirteen serves up an array of signature dishes like the steak ribeye.
If there’s one thing you should know about NBA All-Star James Harden, it’s that his love for H-Town runs deep. After nine years with the Houston Rockets, Harden’s off-court influence knows no bounds, thanks to his Impact 13 Foundation, buzzy JH-Town Weekend and, of course, decadent dining spot in the heart of midtown. Allow us to reintroduce Thirteen—Harden’s recently reimagined eatery, bursting with rich, international flavors, lavish design details and a weekend-exclusive supper club.
Diver scallops
“Absolutely everything is new, from the fixtures to the flatware,” says general manager Sean Knight of the top-to-bottom makeover. “The new team couldn’t be more excited to present Houston with a fresh, completely reimagined dining experience filled with international flavors and the finest hospitality in a warm, artistic new ambiance.” The space—which encompasses the main dining room, bar, lounge and outdoor patio—embraces the city’s upscale aesthetic with a mélange of luxe lightning and opulent furnishings.
Millionaires Sando
The expansive, dimly illuminated dining area beckons with carefully crafted plush booth seating, quartz tables, a DJ booth and an ultra-modern, five-tier bar that sits in the center of it all. Even the outdoor patio has received a face-lift, boasting all-new furniture and a custom patio cover, perfect for alfresco dining day and night. When I ask Knight about his favorite design detail, the answer is quick: “While creating the original restaurant, interior designer Adel Sadek of the award-winning architecture and design firm Studio Five gifted James a bear statue that has sat in front of the restaurant since our original opening,” he says. “Over the last three years, the statue has grown in importance to James, and recently, he had Adel redesign the bear to include James’s infamous beard. We named the character “Fudge” and decided to display him in the front of our bar.”
Open layout bar in the middle of the dining area
In addition to the recent renovation, thirteen also welcomes chef (and Texas native) Siddartha Cadena to the table. Having worked at some of the finest restaurants in the world, it’s safe to say the classically trained chef is no stranger to a demanding (and delicious) kitchen. “I have been cooking around the world for nearly two decades, with the last decade spent in Asia,” he explains. “I would say that having had the opportunity early on to travel and work outside of the USA influenced both my work and personal habits, and that reflects very strongly on my cooking.” Before returning to the Lone Star state, Cadena’s career sizzled at top-tier eateries around the globe, such as Joel Robuchcon in Paris, the Apartment in Shanghai and Gaggan Anand in Bangkok. “Being away for so long, I felt it was time to come back home and spend time close to my family and my partner,” he shares. “I made the move in December of last year and was lucky enough to come across the thirteen team—we immediately clicked and shared a vision of what we needed to do, which made the choice to come work in Houston even easier.”
Sangria wheel
As for the food? Expect nothing less than an unrivaled dining experience that transcends regional boundaries. “I’ve focused on having an Asian base to all the dishes while keeping the Japanese feel, Chinese profile and the Thai spice,” says Cadena. “The entire menu is a reflection of Cadena’s global expertise and love for creating culinary experiences you simply can’t find anywhere else,” adds Knight. “It is a beautiful blend of Japanese and American flavors with playful international plating.” Some of our favorites include the Millionaires Sando, made with Brioche brushed with truffle aioli and then crowned with beef, Hudson Valley foie gras, caviar and shaved black truffle, or raw dishes like the salmon tiradito and smoked hamachi tacos.
And for those looking for something a bit more lively, the restaurant’s alluring vibe transforms into a 21-and-over supper club on the weekends—complete with live music, prominent DJs and signature sips. We’ll see you there! 1911 Bagby St. Suite 100
Photography by: PHOTOS BY MADELYNNE GRACE/COURTESY OF BITES AND BEVS MEDIA
