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3 Texas-Size Outdoor Eateries

Where to chow down in Houston this summer

Cottonwood (pictured)
3422 North Shepherd Drive
cottonwoodhouston.com

This Garden Oaks gastropub serves up a menu of gourmet comfort food, like salmon deviled eggs, pork-belly corn dogs and BBQ Gulf oysters, on a 5,000-square-foot terrace where you can work off the calories afterward with a game of bocce. Located in a former mechanic’s shop, Cottonwood boasts a great indoors, too—the bar offers craft cocktails and 40 beers on tap.

Proof Bar + Patio
2600 Travis Street
proofbarhouston.com

It pays to be neighbors of the James Beard Award–nominated Reef. Thanks to a Reef-top location, Midtown roof lounge Proof features light bites from the seafood restaurant. Challenge friends to a round of darts, pool or video games, and make the prize a Texas Tease (a signature drink that blends Texas liquors Waterloo Gin, Treaty Oak Rum, Starlite Vodka and Z Tequila).

Brooklyn Athletic Club
601 Richmond Avenue
thebrooklynathleticclub.com

This restaurant has many dimensions—a dining room, a chef’s counter bar, an outdoor deck with fire pits, and a sprawling, sports-filled (horseshoes, badminton and croquet) backyard. At Brooklyn Athletic Club, executive chef and native Texan Jeff Axline displays a deft touch with local ingredients in dishes like pan-roasted Texas striped bass with kale.

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