Michele’s
Fine dining restaurant · Downtown ·
French-inspired bistro with Houston/New Orleans twists, raw bar.
French-inspired bistro with Houston/New Orleans twists, raw bar.
"The French-influenced restaurant located in the lobby of a downtown hotel has been implicated in the same social-media controversy surrounding its chef, with the hotel's owners saying they are "deeply disappointed" by the nature of the content circulated by the chef on X and that it "does not align with" the hotel's values or principles. Public reaction has included an Instagram user, @lemonlimefluenced, declaring, "as a fired fed, no way will I support any of these restaurants," and supplier @clarkandhopkins posting that it "will NOT be engaging [Baker’s] places ever again." Food journalist @Matt_Lardie wrote, "Folks don’t get to profit off the same communities they choose to marginalize," and local figures including chef Rock Harper and sommelier Nadine Brown endorsed the exposé by Anela Malik of @Feedthemalik." - Tierney Plumb
"It would be a mistake to write off Chef Matt Baker’s venture as just another hotel restaurant. This much is clear after an amuse of artichoke velouté. Indeed, freshly baked brioche, crispy duck confit and elaborately prepared vegetables score impressive marks at this French-American brasserie, named after the chef’s late mother and inspired by his upbringing in Houston and New Orleans.The Eaton Hotel, which also houses Baker’s casual café and bakery, is fortunate to play host to such an accomplished team—one that sources well and seasons with panache, all the while running an impressive bar that is as large as the dining room. Seafood towers and caviar service will no doubt tempt the big spenders on a menu that has something for everybody." - Michelin Inspector
"Michele’s is perpetually bumping. The loosely French-inspired restaurant gets a visiting crowd thanks to its location in the Eaton DC, but it’s also popular with locals who otherwise come to the hotel for its co-working space and packed event schedule. We like to come here after a meal for a round of cocktails before moving on to the Eaton’s speakeasy-style bar, Allegory." - madeline weinfield
"Michele’s is perpetually bumping. The loosely French-inspired restaurant gets a visiting crowd thanks to its location in the Eaton DC, but it’s also popular with locals who otherwise come to the hotel for its co-working space and packed event schedule. We like to come here after a meal for a round of cocktails before moving on to the Eaton’s speakeasy style bar, Allegory. photo credit: Michele's RESERVE A TABLE WITH RESERVE A TABLE" - Madeline Weinfield
"Baker’s French‑influenced Michele’s downtown is known for a best‑selling smash burger (also served in a hotel setting) and a French onion soup that Baker will adapt at Lucille’s as an homage to Bistro Bis; I noted that some form of Michele’s smash burger will appear on the new chophouse’s menu." - Tierney Plumb