If you’ve stopped in or stayed at the Four Seasons Hotel Houston in years past, it’s likely you don’t really remember what the hotel lobby and bar looked like – it was a probably outdated and, frankly, a bit generic. But this past Saturday, January 21, the local hotel unveiled its new look in Phase II of its year-long, multimillion dollar renovation, which features a new, posh lobby and a rebranded bar called Bayou & Bottle. 

Phase II began after the renovation’s first stage was complete back in April 2016, which was the launch of the Rottet Studio-designed Spa & Fitness Center on the fourth floor. Now the hotel is sparkling with Carrara marble, brass fixtures, tufted leather and warm walnut wood. Its masculine yet sexy, refined yet fierce.

Hotel bars (and restaurants) can often be overlooked by its hometown residents. But the bar/restaurant’s hope is that Bayou & Bottle will land a permanent spot on Houstonians’ dining-and-drinking-out lists. That’s why Richard Sandoval, a chef, restaurateur, author and TV personality, has created a concept that has a little something for everybody. Bayou & Bottle is Sandoval’s first Texas restaurant venture.

The bar serves more than 100 varieties of bourbons and whiskeys, but there will also be a selection of craft beer, an extensive wine list and specialty cocktails for every type of palate. Bar manager Judith Piotrowski (previously at Pax Americana and Weights + Measures) and bourbon stewardess Olgi Katona (Four Seasons Chicago, Vail and Las Vegas) have helped to tweak the beverage program. We stopped in last week as guests of the restaurant and tasted a few of the new offerings.

If you come for the whiskey, try the Huntsman cocktail ($20, photo above), which combines Monkey Shoulder blended malt scotch whisky with Punt e Mes (Italian vermouth), apricot and rooibos tea smoke. The glass is placed upside down and filled with smoke, then turned right side up and filled with the chilled whisky for a smooth, easy-drinking cocktail.

If a sweet, florally cocktail is what you’re after, order the 11 Week Ride ($14) made with Monopolowa vodka, citrus, elderflower foam, egg white and bitters. It’s garnished with edible flowers, for those that appreciate the pretty little things. Want something tropical? Order the Bimshire ($14, photo above at left) for a mix of dark rum, spiced rum, Amaro Montenegro and orgeat garnished with pineapple leaves. Do you like a punch of citrus in your cocktail? The Dorothy Richards ($14, photo above at right) is made with vodka, Gran Classic Bitter, a house citrus cordial and bitters. There’s a section on the menu for classic cocktails, too, like the Manhattan, Whiskey Sour, Sazerac, Old Fashioned, etc. See, something for everyone.

The food menu offers as much variety as the cocktails – there are small and large plates, vegetables, sides and desserts. Want to snack with your table while sharing a bottle of wine? Try the cold cuts charcuterie board ($16) with country ham, Iowa prosciutto and house-made headcheese served with accoutrements like house bread-and-butter pickles, whole grain mustard and slices of bread.

If looking to share a few small plates, we suggest you pair the lighter squash and burrata salad ($12), which is topped with greens, pumpkin seeds, dates and a smoked sherry vinaigrette, with the bone marrow and oxtail ($16, photo above) that’s lined with stone fruit mostarda and pickled shallots served with slices of brioche.

It might be hard to sell Houstonians on the $12 banh mi (photo above) served during lunch, but their modern take on this Vietnamese classic isn’t the average $3 sandwich found across Houston. Served on a bolillo roll, this banh mi starts with a smear of Sriracha mayo and then layers ham, headcheese (but fried for a crispy texture) and pickled veggies. We think both this $12 banh mi and the $3 versions have a place in the city.

And if you want something classic, Bayou & Bottle puts out a good, juicy burger ($16), topped with bread and butter pickles, remoulade, American cheese, lettuce and tomato.

Another attraction that will pull Houstonians into Bayou & Bottle is the world’s first-ever Topgolf-branded simulator called Topgolf Swing Suite. For $60 an hour, rent out one of the Swing Suites (there are only two, so plan ahead) and enjoy Bayou & Bottle’s provisions and drinks while swinging golf clubs in your private lounge and “hitting bay.”

There’s a lot happening on the newly revamped first floor of Four Seasons, and we think Houstonians will like what they see.

Bayou & Bottle in Four Seasons, 1300 Lamar, 713-650-1300, fourseasons.com/houston/dining/lounges/bayou-and-bottle
Hours: Mon. to Sat. 11 am to 2 am; Sun. noon to 1 am; lunch 11 am to 2 pm; dinner 4 pm to midnight