Gather one, gather all! Five 12 Restaurant Concepts Founder and Owner Aaron Lyons, along with Owner Trent Patterson and Culinary Director Brandi Key, will open the doors of their ambitious new concept, Daily Gather, on Jan. 11. Located in CITYCENTRE at 800 Sorella Court, Ste. 940, in a beautifully renovated space, Daily Gather welcomes guests for full-service lunch, dinner and weekend brunch. Fans of sister restaurant Dish Society will recognize an emphasis on easy-going hospitality and approachable, locally sourced fare, albeit with a stylish, more polished veneer by Gin Design Group and a splashier culinary program by Key. With communal gathering at the heart of the restaurant, the vibrant menu is stacked with shareable dishes inspired by nostalgic American classics with fun updates and influences from global cuisines represented in Houston.
“What I’m most excited about is seeing people in the space and seeing it come to life,” says Lyons, a resident of the Memorial area who has long had his eye on the space at CITYCENTRE and looks forward to finally debuting the brand he’s conceptualized for the past five years. “You make a lot of assumptions when you’re doing these things. Now, it’s time to see if it works out.”
In addition to serving the robust number of businesses who office inside the development, Lyons’ goal is to serve families like his own, giving the community a comfortable, classy spot with local roots to frequent, whether enjoying a date night, sharing small plates and craft cocktails with friends, or stopping for a quick lunch or relaxed brunch.
While Lyons had a distinct vision for Daily Gather’s menu, it was Key who brought it to life, drawing on her extensive background leading kitchens and launching new restaurants with Clark Cooper Concepts and most recently alongside Claire Smith at Alice Blue, as well as her skill in creating balanced, ingredient-forward menus and focused presentations.
In addition to existing relationships built through Dish Society with area purveyors like Atkinson Farms, 44 Farms, Ives Creek Organics, and Greenway Coffee Co., Key has expanded Daily Gather’s sourcing to include Kraftsmen Baking, Houston Dairymaids and Blue Horizon Seafood. Expect the menu to evolve with the seasons.
Shared plates are the star of the show, accounting for more than half the menu and making it easy for a crowd to enjoy a variety of dishes. Standouts include cornbread elote that sings of chili and lime, a tuna aqua chile fragrant with coconut milk and lemon grass, vadouvan-spiced whole roasted cauliflower, cacio e pepe frites, chilled and grilled oysters, roast bone marrow with a Vietnamese treatment, charred poblano guacamole, seasonal flatbreads and a host of beautiful salads and vegetable-focused plates that showcase local harvests.
Among the tight list of entrees are braised short rib with Parisian gnocchi (Lyons’ favorite), sumac-marinated rotisserie chicken with pistachio-sage gremolata, steak frites, a classic smash burger, smoked brisket French dip, a four-cheese sourdough grilled cheese and market fish specials. Key’s pasta prowess will also be on display with fresh, seasonal pastas.
Brunch is big at Daily Gather and features several smorgasbord options designed to serve a crowd, including a smoked salmon board, a pastry board with a mix of seasonal pop tarts, financiers, muffins and other baked goodies, and the Ultimate Brunch Board: scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, French toast bites, fried chicken, breakfast potatoes, fresh fruit and accompaniments. Additional offerings include a triple pancake stack, smoked brisket and egg tostadas, a garden omelet, brioche French toast, cheesy bacon Benedict, biscuits and sausage gravy and short rib debris with grits.
The day-to-night drinks program runs the gamut from fresh-pressed juices and locally roasted Greenway coffee to approachable wines, Texas craft beers and inspired house cocktails (mocktails, too!). A martini-and-oyster happy hour is on the horizon, along with other attractive specials.
"We don't ever really start out where we think we're going to be, but after working through all the pieces, the concept evolves and suddenly, we know, okay, this is Daily Gather,” says Key. “It makes sense, especially now. We’re bringing back the art of hospitality, bringing back people around a dining table. People are craving it. They want that time out. Having fun things to share like this is perfect for the time, the season and the clientele that's coming in."
The complete reimagining of the restaurant’s interior by Gin Design Group was realized by Course Construction. Inspired by dawn-till-dusk gathering spaces like Soho House and The Hoxton, Gin Design has created a playful atmosphere where comfortable seating prevails, and guests are welcome to come as they are. Design elements include a brass backbar with cove lighting, extensive curved linear trim work and raked plaster and tone wood accents, set off by artisan tile, woven textiles, whimsical prints and local artwork. Myriad plush, conversation-inspiring seating vignettes outfitted with eclectic furnishings flow through the multiple indoor dining areas and the massive wraparound patio. The 6000-square-foot restaurant accommodates 150 guests inside, including at roomy six-top tables. A private dining lounge is offset in an intimate nook of its own.
With room for an additional 100guests, the sprawling 2500-square-foot patio looks out onto CITYCENTRE’s prominent green space–the Plaza–making it a promising locale for outdoor events. Its most special feature: a refurbished Argentine food truck. Key has pages of ideas for fun culinary creations to sling from the truck, but for now, visitors will be able to stop by for cold brew and pastries in the morning and cocktails and snacks while lingering on the patio in the evenings.
“CITYCENTRE continues to evolve and expand upon its offerings by bringing world-class brands, cutting-edge retailers and innovative restaurants to its home,” says Lacee Jacobs, Vice President of Strategic Leasing & Advisory for Midway. “Dining out is a part of the lifestyle at CITYCENTRE, and we are thrilled that Daily Gather has chosen our dynamic mixed-use destination as the first location for the brand. We are certain it will bring a unique new option for both lunch and dinner to our loyal visitors.”
Daily Gather is full-service and serves lunch and dinner daily, plus weekend brunch. The restaurant is open Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Reservations can be made on OpenTable.com. Self-parking is available at CITYCENTRE on streets and in garages; valet is available at CITYCENTRE valet stations.
For more information visit dailygather.com and follow @dailygather on Facebook and Instagram.
