CLASSIC AMERICAN FARE AND COCKTAILS
About Us
Chef Lance Fegen’s Long-Standing History in Houston and the Heights
Chef Lance Fegen, chef-owner and managing partner at Fegen’s (pronounced FEE-gehns), has been a Houston staple since the 90’s; after he completed his culinary education at the Culinary Institute of America in New York, he went on to cook at Brennan’s Houston, serve as executive sous chef at The Houstonian Hotel Club & Spa, then at Zula & Trevisio Restaurants before launching his own ‘glass wall the restaurant’ in 2005, in the space where BCK – Houston Heights currently resides. Then, in 2010, he and others founded F.E.E.D. TX Restaurant Group, the parent company of Liberty Kitchen (sold in 2020), along with the beloved BRC Gastropub (closed in 2016). In short, Fegen has been cooking in Houston since 1991, and on Studewood Street in the Heights, since 2005.
1050 Studewood Street, the location of Fegen’s and formerly the location of Liberty Kitchen & Oyster Bar—the first Liberty Kitchen built—is a special place for the neighborhood.
“This is a very special place for us,” says Fegen’s managing partner Will Davis. “When we sold the Liberty Kitchen brand last year, we knew we had to keep this particular locale; it’s where Liberty Kitchen started; it’s been Lance’s home base for almost a decade, it’s situated in our neighborhood – where we live, and it’s where we’ve always gone with our own friends and family. There’s this longevity to the place. It has positive energy fueled by loads of neighborhood spirit; we’re looking forward to building upon that,” he adds.
Classic American Fare and Cocktails
Fegen describes the food at his namesake restaurant as, “a really nice balance of the more refined American food I’ve done over the years – think solid seafood salads, simple-well cooked meats with comforting sides, plus pastas and pizzas that nod to my Southern Italian-American roots. More important than what’s on the menu is what I want to achieve overall: simple dishes that you can always count on, executed seamlessly.”
Diners can enjoy steaks with au jus, Chicken Schnitzel, Rago’s Sunday Meatball, Veal and Pork Tomato Gravy and Macaroni, Linguine and Clam Sauce, Neapolitan-style pizza, Blue Mussels in a tomato-garlic butter, frequently-rotating features, and many more old school favorites. Meanwhile, Fegen’s Bar occasionally brings oysters in, serves up cheeseburgers, chowder fries and the like.
Nicole Meza will heads up the beverage side of Fegen’s Bar, which focuses on approachability through classic cocktails. She’s selected quality liquors to elevate the classic cocktail game and modernized a few recipes.
Meza says, “I had the opportunity to lead the bar program at Weights + Measures for a few years, which allowed lots of creative freedom and exposure to Italian spirits and liqueurs. I also worked at Julep for a bit, where I learned a lot more about liquors like whiskey and gin, and, most importantly, the finesse required when making really good classic beverages. I think all of that experience is reflected in the drink menu at Fegen’s.”
Lowkey, Sophisticated Ambiance Brought to Life by Carl Eaves
Visitors to the restaurant can forget Liberty Kitchen & Oyster Bar’s bright orange, green and blue accents and coastal vibes—designer, Fegen’s partner and owner of Eaves Construction and Design Services, Carl Eaves has completely re-done the space.
“We’ve turned the sophistication level up several notches, and filled the room with nostalgic colors – deep reds, dark greens, and dark, rich-colored paneling. Cozy scalloped booths surround the perimeter of the dining room adorned with sepia-toned photography, while black and white chevron flooring in the bar area is reminiscent of simpler times. The ceiling has been dropped down to give a more intimate feel, which is reinforced by glazed emerald green ceramic tile and brass accents throughout,” says Eaves.
Eaves drew inspiration from the neighborhood eateries that he and the owners frequented where they grew up (New York and London) along with Fegen’s food and beverage menus, working to design a comfortable, beautiful gathering space that was symbiotic with the offerings. The space is meant to make everyone feel at home, whether that’s a family of six is enjoying Sunday supper, a group of colleagues is having a business luncheon, or a couple is sipping on drinks and bites a Fegen’s Bar.
713.993.6427
HOURS OF OPERATION:
M: Closed
T: 5pm – 10pm
W: 11am -2pm and 5pm-10pm
R: 11am -2pm and 5pm-10pm
F: 11am -2pm and 5pm-10pm
Sa: 10:30am – 2pm (brunch) and 5pm-10pm
Su: 10:30am – 2pm (brunch) and 5pm-9pm
Event Inquiries, Employment
Opportunities &Partnership Requests:
Eddie Anderson, General Manager
manager@fegens.com
