High-End Denver Steakhouse Coming To Downtown Houston

HOUSTON, TX — A Denver restaurant dubbed the "Best Steakhouse in Colorado" will test Texas palates when it opens a downtown Houston location next year. The place called Guard and Grace announced Tuesday it will open its next American steakhouse at One Allen Center, smack dab in the middle of the downtown business district. It's scheduled to open in the Summer of 2019.

The deal to bring Guard and Grace is tied to Brookfield Properties, developer of the Allen Center. The restaurant will occupy a 13,000-square-foot bi-level space that will overlook The Acre greenspace.

Guard and Grace will be housed in One Allen Center’s new “glass box,” featuring unobstructed views overlooking The Acre’s central lawn. The bi-level space will include a full bar, multiple private dining rooms, as well as two outdoor seated patios where guests can dine on The Acre greenspace.

“We chose to bring Guard and Grace to Houston because, similarly to Denver when we opened the first location, the city has this passion and energy that’s just contagious — we’re really excited to become a part of that,” said Troy Guard, Chef and Owner of Denver’s restaurant empire, TAG Restaurant Group.

“The relationship we have with Brookfield continues to be so successful and collaborative that it was a natural fit when we made the decision to open up outside of Denver.”

Guard and Grace — named after the owner's daughter — has a concept that goes far beyond the traditional steakhouse. The Denver location opened in 2014 on the street level of the Brookfield building, 1801 California, in the downtown Denver business center. The overwhelming response from locals and travelers alike supports Guard and Grace’s reputation as one of the nation’s top steakhouses. TAG Restaurant Group’s eclectic roster of restaurants includes eight different concepts ranging from Mexican cuisine to breakfast fare to burger bars and more – all inspired by Guard’s time spent living and traveling around the globe.

According to the restaurant's website, the Denver location serves prime, certified Angus and local grass-fed cuts of beef in 4 to 22 oz. portions to appeal to multiple appetites, from a light bite to ravenous; and fresh seafood, charcuterie, artisanal cheeses as well as vegetarian selections offer something for everyone. With a 4,000-bottle temperature-controlled wine cellar, multiple private rooms and multi-course party menus, Guard and Grace can meet nearly any need.

Guard and Grace has won a slew of awards and honors from the USA Today to Zagat's List, and Thrillist named it one of the top 31 steakhouses in the country.

Here are samples of the Denver menu:

• Lunch Menu
• Dinner Menu
• Wine Room + Bar
• Social Hour

“Chef Guard had many choices on where to expand the Guard and Grace brand, so we’re thrilled that he chose the newly reimagined Allen Center as home to his first out-of-state concept,” said Travis Overall, Executive Vice President and Head of the Texas Region for Brookfield Properties. “The decision to bring Guard and Grace to Allen Center speaks to the unprecedented growth and change seen on this side of downtown and at Allen Center, and perfectly aligns with Brookfield’s focus on placemaking. We are excited to embark on this partnership and bring this new upscale, signature dining experience to our tenants and the Houston community.”

Brookfield recently completed the first phase of the multi-million dollar Reimagining of Allen Center renovation, that included the transformation of One Allen Center’s lobby into a modern, mixed-use, two-story glass façade; a re-clad skybridge; and the signature piece of the project, a complete re-envisioning of the exterior landscaping into a vibrant one-acre greenspace, named “The Acre.”

Top Image by Daniel O'Connor Photography & Digital Media