May all of the out-of-towners hunting down great Tex-Mex while in Houston this holiday season rejoice—Candente, the Montrose-born neighborhood favorite from Sambrooks Hospitality and the only Tex-Mex restaurant in the city recognized by the Michelin Guide, has opened its new outpost at 5101 Bellaire Boulevard in the Bellaire Town Center.
After taking over the lease of the space that formerly housed Mandito’s Tex-Mex, on the street level of Bellaire Town Center, Sambrooks Hospitality owner and Bellaire-area resident, Michael Sambrooks announced news of the second location back in September. The expansion serves as a milestone for the budding hospitality brand, extending Candente’s reach beyond its original home near the Pit Room in Montrose and reinforcing its place among Texas’ most celebrated restaurants.
“It’s a privilege to open in Bellaire and get to know and serve a new clientele,” Sambrooks said. “We’re excited to introduce our style of authentic, handcrafted Tex-Mex that has made us a Houston dining staple.”
Like its sister concept in Montrose, Candente’s Bellaire location boasts a colorful interior, maintaining its warm palette of orange, yellow, and maroon hues. A mural of Mexican iconography by Houston artist, Franky Cardona, draws attention from all angles of the dining room and the 10-seat bar. Outside, a covered patio facing out to the bustling goings on of the Bellaire neighborhood, offers seating for 24.
As with its décor and atmosphere, Candente’s Bellaire menu mirrors its Montrose counterpart, with standouts including the restaurant’s beloved house nachos, chile con queso, chile gravy enchiladas, birria tacos, burritos, tacos al carbon, and carne guisada.
Wood-grilled fajitas are offered with a variety of proteins including Prime skirt steak and ribeye, chicken, shrimp, pork carnitas, and portabella mushrooms and peppers as a meatless alternative. The theme of live-fire cooking is strong at Candente, and the Bellaire location spotlights a number of dishes in which grilled meats steal the show.
While the food is undoubtedly the main draw at Candente, it’s not unlikely Bellaire-area residents will rush in often, to linger over premium margaritas, fueled by tequila or mezcal, and other refreshers like palomas, mojitos, ranch waters, and agua frescas.
With its timely opening during the holidays, Candente Bellaire is putting just as much effort into its bulk to-go options as its dine-in service with its complete catering menu, available for Houstonians to take advantage of immediately.
Candente is now open daily for lunch and dinner, Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; with weekend brunch beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Both Montrose and Bellaire locations will close early at 3 p.m. on Christmas Eve, and remain closed on Christmas Day, but will reopen with regular hours on Friday, December 26.
Candente, 5101 Bellaire Blvd. Bellaire, candentehtx.com/
