A new era of Maven is upon us. The fast-growing brand from Rex Hospitality, which has garnered buzz for its portable Maven Coffee + Cocktails carts at Minute Maid Park and Toyota Center, plus an all-day cafe at the Thompson Hotel, is debuting its first full-service restaurant called Maven at Sawyer Yards on Friday, October 18. This marks the fourth opening in 16 months for the budding hospitality group, led by Houston Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. and co-founder Juan Carlos de Aldecoa, with partner Jimmy Doan.
Situated among the many rice silos and art studios in First Ward’s Arts District, Maven at Sawyer Yards is housed in a former commercial trucking station and boasts 2,400-square-feet of indoor and outdoor dining space. The trio enlisted SG Designs Houston for its transformation. Considering the steely structure of the trucking station, the design firm leaned into an industrial chic aesthetic for Maven’s buildout with slatted wood paneling, brass and milk glass fixtures, and a combination of vintage and modern furnishings. The space is further complemented by an expansive dog-friendly patio, where guests can take in the sights and sounds of the district.
Here, the talent of Rex Hospitality’s chef and culinary director, Nicolás “Nico” Baizan de Aldecoa will have a proper place to shine. Aldecoa spent a portion of his career working for Jose Andres and incorporated his live fire cooking experience for the menu at Maven, which is described as contemporary American with a Spanish touch.
“The menu is an homage to my culture,” says Aldecoa, who drew inspiration for dishes like rigatoni with Manchego cheese from his family’s Northern Spanish roots. “There are not more than three or four ingredients in most of the dishes. We are really trying to highlight the best products that we can and keep the menu approachable.”
Aldecoa says showcasing comforting eats like deviled eggs with Kaluga caviar in a playful way, is a direct reflection of his taste and preference. “It’s eggs with eggs!” he says, chuckling. “It’s the way I eat deviled eggs. The menu is made up of dishes I would eat, and like to eat.” Other enticements include oysters with aguachile, double cream artichoke, octopus with fingerling potatoes, and a classic roasted chicken.
Naturally, Maven’s beverage program was given just as much care and attention, with New York-based cocktail pro and owner of tiki hotspot Three Dots and a Dash, Paul McGee having consulted on the menu. Beyond Maven’s signature caffeinated cocktails, like the expresso martini and carajillo crafted with the brand’s own cold brew concentrate, the menu features playful spins on classics, including a tropical whiskey sour, a pineapple-infused daiquiri, and a non-alcoholic take on the Shakerato.
When it opens on Friday, Maven at Sawyer Yards will keep extended hours, opening at 7 a.m. daily, and remaining open until 9 p.m. on Sunday and Monday; 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; and until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. A midday menu will offer Aldecoa’s take on handhelds like the Cubano, which honors McCullers’ Cuban heritage; a truffled grilled cheese, and a smoked grouper melt; plus breakfast tacos, and avocado toast. The restaurant will scale back to pastry and coffee service only between 3 and 5 p.m. during prep for its more involved dinner service.
As Rex Hospitality continues to build the Maven brand, this major addition at Sawyer Yards will undoubtedly propel the group forward among Houston’s culinary stars. Maven at Sawyer Yards, 1501 Silver St. Houston, TX mavenhouston.com
