/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68449082/1228481260.0.jpg "Thirteen by James Harden by Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images")
This upscale Houston spot blends New American cuisine with a lively cocktail lounge, perfect for everything from corporate events to romantic date nights.
"James Harden’s Midtown restaurant has all of the components of a typical clubstaurant. Thirteen has a sea of moody backlighting, Brent Faiyaz blaring through the speakers, and a $40 valet. You can spend the evening in either the main dining room, which is mostly velvet banquettes and a few resin statues of cartoon bears, or the Thirteen Lounge, which is just a shrunken version of the dining room. During brunch, you’ll actually have elbow room to enjoy your pleasantly sweet cookies and cream waffle. And it’s still possible to appreciate the flavor of the shrimp and grits under a cloud of pineapple hookah smoke. But if you’re more concerned about having a full-on-party atmosphere, come for dinner. During the evenings, the music is cranked to its maximum volume, and you’ll feel like you’re partying like a celebrity. photo credit: Thirteen photo credit: Thirteen photo credit: Thirteen Food Rundown photo credit: Thirteen Cocktails The drinks are arguably some of the best parts of Thirteen. The yuzu lemon drop keeps the saccharine sweetness at bay with the warmth of added ginger. And order a mimosa flight during brunch. photo credit: Thirteen Belgian Waffle The waffles here have edges crisp enough to give your hair a lineup, while still keeping a fluffy bounce inside each bite. And if you feel like tapping into your inner eight-year-old, order the cookies and cream waffle that could pass as a straight-up dessert. photo credit: Gianni Greene Shrimp & Grits While there’s nothing wrong with this dish, it’s just not memorable. But this will work if you want a few pieces of shrimp seasoned with a random burst of cayenne." - Gianni Greene
"Chic and sexy environment with great food and service! It’s owned by NBA player, James Harden, and also has a speakeasy bar inside. I order multiple starters when I go. Nice date night vibes!" - Edward Barsamian
"James Harden’s restaurant where Ye had a late-night outing with his entourage." - Megha McSwain
"Basketball star James harden may have left Houston, but he’s still having an impact on the Bayou City. The athlete, whose restaurant Thirteen opened quietly just a month ago, has partnered with Postmates to provide 100 meals a day to five Houston-area schools, starting on February 24 with Jack Yates High School in the Third Ward. The restaurant also delivered 150 meals to the Anna Dupree low-income senior housing apartments in Sunnyside on last week, CW 39 reports, and handed out 3,000 meals and cases of water from Thirteen the weekend before. Harden and Thirteen’s efforts are just one example of the staggering number of meals local restaurants have distributed since Winter Storms Uri and Viola." - Brittanie Shey
"Thirteen Restaurant will still be opening at the end of this month. Our entire staff and team are looking forward to providing top notch service and bringing a one-of-a-kind dining experience to Houston. We are looking forward to sharing our extensive menu and beautiful restaurant with the city." - Amy McCarthy
