Breakfast, Brunch, and Afternoon Tea: Little Hen is the Place to Dine at River Oaks District
Looking for the perfect ladies’ brunch, galantines party place, or birthday spot for your best gal? Check out Little Hen, though the name is quaint, the atmosphere is beyond elegant, and food is fancy refined.
Step inside this eatery in the glamorous River Oaks District and you’re enveloped in floral beauty, from the live flower arrangements to the rose-covered wallpaper. There’s even a dish on the menu of pancakes with rose water infused syrup. Yes, roses are big here and pinks and pastels abide. It is not by any measure a manly Texas themed steakhouse, but guys can score points by bringing dates and daughters to Little Hen for the weekend brunch or the fit-for-royalty tea service.
Afternoon tea can be reserved for any time and comes with a pot of tea per person. Teas include a traditional English Breakfast tea and a special house blend. A selection of sweets such as macarons and petite cakes are available, and the savory side features scones and mini sandwiches from cranberry chicken salad to cucumber dill. Breakfast/brunch items run the range from fruit offerings to omelets — there’s a healthy one with spinach and egg whites but there’s a much tastier one with caviar, smoked salmon, and cream cheese. Waffles, eggs Benedict, French toast, basic sides such as hash browns, sausage, and bacon abide but you can also choose from some Tex-Mex inspired dishes like rancheros, churrasco eggs, and chilaquiles. And don’t forget those rose petal pancakes.
Heartier appetites might choose from the lunch items here, tuna tartare, a Cuban bagel, crab cake, and even a burger.
The River Oaks District, named for the ritzy subdivision further down Westheimer Road, sits between the shopping meccas of the Galleria and Highland Village. A 13.87-acre mixed-use development, it boasts high-end boutiques featuring designer goods, fancy restaurants like Little Hen, office space, and 279 premier apartments. Since opening in 2015 it has been home to Hermes, Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Harry Winston, Patek Philippe at de Boulle, Brunello Cucinelli, Kiton, Canali, Veronica Beard, Alice + Olivia, Frame, Moreau, Laura Rathe Fine Art, Steak 48, MAD, Toulouse, Le Colonial, Loch Bar, Ouzo Bay, IPIC Theaters, and Equinox. In 2022, the developers enhanced the District by adding a pocket park with expanded outdoor dining, fresh landscaping and signage.
“The central park and artistic gathering areas will organically tie the District together and enhance the pedestrian experience with new sidewalks, strollable spaces and a bold planting scheme that mixes traditional landscape elements with a modern architectural aesthetic,” said Rosalind Schurgin, CEO of the Festival Companies, which manages the property. “We are creating a robust mix of public spaces that draw visitors through the District and connect them within it.”
Last year, Galveston billionaire hospitality and gaming owner Tillman Fertitta bought the District.
“Adding River Oaks District to our Post Oak Hotel family of offerings seamlessly complements the curated experience we have created for the luxury-seeking consumer,” said Fertitta. “This is the perfect moment in time to add this premier mixed-use development to our luxury portfolio, creating incredible cross-promotional opportunities and elevating the standard for luxury dining and shopping for Houstonians and international travelers alike.”
Little Hen opened to popular reviews in 2023 but there are plenty of other dining destinations here to choose from as well. Toulouse Café and Bar, a French/Belgian bistro offering Dover Sole, caviar service, and mussels steamed in white wine and garlic with, was one of the first to open. If you’re looking for sushi, try Azumi or for a one-of-a-kind date place make a reservation at Le Colonial for an inspired French/Vietnamese meal in an elegant dining room reminiscent of Saigon in the 1920s. You’ll also find great burgers at Hopdoddy, Spanish cuisine at MAD, and Mexican, Ojo de Agua, here. While The Tuck Room offers American dishes in a warm speakeasy atmosphere. Plenty of choices for food and drink but do check the restaurant websites, many are only open for dinner, and most have dress codes and/or require reservations. And be prepared to valet, but once the car is taken care of you can cruise the walkable venue and window shop to your heart’s content before tucking into a superb meal.
Little Hen in the River Oaks District
4444 Westheimer Road Suite H110
346.833.8374
Mon -Fri 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Weekends 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
littlehen.com
