Welcome to 2020! Instead of doing some fake deep post for the start of the year, I figured I would jump right in to what brings most of y’all to my website. My reviews of Houston’s best food establishments. Most importantly, you all seemed excited about this spot based on my Instagram post so I thought it would best to do a full review. Here you have it folks, my review of Lost & Found Houston’s latest Midtown Bar.
The Setup
Lost & Found is a new bar located in Houston’s Midtown AKA Fourth Ward. The concept is brought to you by the team from Prospect Park, a gem to the bar lovers in the black community. While the ownership is same, the concepts are strikingly different. I would affectionately call Lost & Found a more urban (read black) Present Company.
The bar itself has large patios including an upstairs one with views of downtown. Inside you will find colorful picture ready walls contrasted with black and white walls plus a zebra who is just hanging out from the ceiling. For my sports lovers you will appreciate the patio spaces with large booths situated right in front of the televisions. We caught the Texans playoff win during our visit.
You see my shadow (hahahaha). The view from the rooftop patio!
Oh and parking! There is valet and a parking lot across the street. Be careful though because that parking lot is more of a hill. There is also street parking, but as is common in midtown a lot of the street parking is permit only during certain hours so keep an eye out. Even if you do not valet, be sure to check out the mural located in the parking lot. It features Travis Scott and other pretty colorful backdrops. You know we love a mural photoshoot around these parts!
There are cute little details like this all around.
The Drinks
I came for an influencer/food blogger tasting during the soft opening. As you guys know these events typically feature small tastings of much of the menu. Since this is a bar, they made sure we got a chance to sample all of the cocktails in small portions of course. The high quality cocktails is where I think Lost & Found shines and completely outshines the sister bar Prospect Park.
Pinatas Zebra
We tried five cocktails, the Champagne Showers, DGK (Sour Patch Kids Infused Vodka), Golden Cadillac, the Side Car, and the Pinatas Zebra. No detail was spared in the creation of these cocktails! My favorite was the DGK, a drink that literally tastes like candy and throws in a few pieces for fun. The most popular drink seems to be the Golden Cadillac, a Hennessy cocktail that is served with a small bottle of Grand Marnier. With these five signature cocktails, there is a little bit for everyone.
The Side Car.
The DGK
Champagne Showers
The Food
Has anyone else noticed how good bars care just as much about the food as they do the drinks? If I am going to be sitting here all day buying drinks and watching sports, I’m going to need to fill up on some GOOD food. Their menu was curated by Chef T who explained that her Southern upbringing served as the primary source of inspiration for the menu.
The fried ribs.
We tried a lot of stuff, but I am going to focus on the things that I would order on my return visit. First up all things crawfish from the crawfish bread to the shrimp and crawfish dip! There is a subtle spiciness in the spice included in both dishes. Plus they are great shareable appetizers. The Chef also brought out some fried ribs. Not going to lie… I kind of gave them the side eye because the color is a little different, but with one bite I was sold. Great flavor, plus their barbecue sauce ain’t too bad either. You can also grab gumbo, fried cauliflower, dessert AND wings from Lost & Found. A little something for everyone and every diet.
Shrimp and Crawfish Dip
Samples of the Crawfish Bread
Them WANGS.
Fried Cauliflower
The Takeaway
Listen, I throughly enjoyed my time at Lost & Found. We came for a two hour tasting and stayed for about five hours having a great ole time! We are already plotting on our next visit, likely during the NFL playoffs.
Because I know many of you will ask, here is a note on the crowd. Yes Lost & Found is in Midtown an area that has a long history of denying entry to black men (Here is a recap). During my visit, the crowd was predominately black despite being in a predominately white neighborhood. Could this cause complications like we have seen with other black owned and black patronized businesses? Perhaps. Do I think that should deter you from visiting? Not at all!
In terms of the vibe, I would say it is a chill tennis shoes and t-shirt kind of spot. To me, you would probably look crazy getting bottle service with the dancing girls and fireworks or coming in all jazzed up in club clothes. But maybe it will change. For now, I am enjoying the fact that we have another black owned, centrally located bar to frequent!
Love that I found you. I’m white with a black son and living way too far from a community that my son needs to experience. Excited to venture out to new places for us