A Sneak Peek Inside Hugo Ortega's Caracol

Grid View

Caracol [Max Burkhalter]

The long-awaited Caracol, which was expected to open last Saturday, ran into some delays. The seafood restaurant recently had its final inspection and will likely begin serving the public next week. "They are hoping to open on Sunday," a representative tells us. "They should be open for Monday for sure." Chef and restaurateur Hugo Ortega recently told Eater that he fell in love with caracoles, sea snails, when visiting Belize, and that he developed a deep respect for fishermen after testing his skills at sea. He also said that it's always been a dream of his to own a restaurant on Post Oak. And he's assembled quite a team at this dream establishment: Las Vegas' Daniel Bridges is a consulting chef on this project—he was originally going to be the executive chef, Ortega's brother Ruben Ortega will be the pastry chef and Sean Beck will run the beverage program.

Caracol will serve coastal Mexican cuisine in the Galleria area's BBVA Compass Plaza, a new mixed-use complex that also houses recently opened Osteria Mazzantini— the upscale Italian restaurant from Mockingbird Bistro's John Sheely. Ortega told the Chronicle's Greg Morago that he and wife Tracy Vaught will be offering diners a "culinary tour along the Mexican coasts" at this new establishment. The local couple also owns Houston institutions Backstreet Cafe and Hugo's. Here now, take a quick peek inside Caracol.
· Caracol [Facebook]
· All Other Opening Reports [-EHOU-]