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Specialty Market Hubbell & Hudson
Purchases all Houston-Area
Black Walnut Cafés
Quinn Company Takes Lead in Acquisition
THE WOODLANDS (July 8, 2008) – Hubbell & Hudson Market & Bistro, an upscale artisan-food market slated to open this fall and located at 24 Waterway Avenue in The Woodlands at Town Center, has purchased all three Greater Houston-area Black Walnut Cafés.
The Zagat’s-rated Black Walnut Cafés are located in The Woodlands, Sugar Land and Rice Village.
“Customers love the Black Walnut’s made-from-scratch meals and comfortable surroundings,” said Cary Attar, president of Hubbell & Hudson and Black Walnut Café. “The cafés are neighborhood-centered and have a loyal league of followers who are crazy about the appetizing food and cozy atmosphere. This is a great fit for Hubbell & Hudson.”
Future plans
With plans for possible expansion in Houston, Dallas and Austin, the Black Walnut Café will retain its core menu, but the counter-service restaurant will take advantage of Hubbell & Hudson’s talented culinary staff, including its Executive Chef and Executive Pastry Chef.
The planned expansion and site selection will be handled exclusively by the Quinn Company. Sean Quinn, president, sees the Black Walnut brand as a tremendous asset as he works closely with Hubbell & Hudson to grow the Black Walnut business. Quinn Company also is playing a key role in the opening of the Hubbell & Hudson Market & Bistro and looks forward to future expansion of that brand as well.
Hubbell & Hudson will bring in locally grown produce, fresh bread, house-roasted coffee, and high-end meats to the cafe. And coming soon, a full bar will be added to the Sugar Land and Rice Village locations.
All three locations are now open at 7 a.m. and showcase a much larger breakfast menu. Patrons can order pastries and to-go premium coffees, or select from a host of delectable morning-start foods, such as made-to-order eggs, pancakes, quiches, upscale breakfast sandwiches, and an assortment of gourmet breakfast meats like peppered or thick-cut smoked bacon.
Hubbell & Hudson is expanding the dessert menu. Along with longtime customer favorite award-winning handcrafted gelatos, guests will be able to order from an array of tasty after-meal treats of cakes, pies, cookies and more. Selections will change daily based on the availability of top-quality ingredients.
“We will hold nothing back in bringing the best of Hubbell & Hudson to the Black Walnut Cafés. We’re not really changing the lunch and dinner menu as much as we are adding to it. For example, we will upgrade the quality of steak to certified 100% Angus, and the Hubbell & Hudson Pastry Chef will make all of the pasta,” added Attar. “We love the core concept. We just want to capitalize on Hubbell & Hudson’s abilities and talents and bring those to our Black Walnut Café customers.”
Founded in The Woodlands in 2002,the well-known Black Walnut Cafés offer a unique, cozy atmosphere with black walnut paneling, plush seating, private booths, flower-filled patios, free Wi-Fi. The comfortable atmosphere complements the café’s excellent food, and friendly, attentive service.
“We want to carry on the legacy established by the original owner and creator of the Black Walnut Cafés. We’re wholeheartedly dedicated to providing the best in customer service, combined with garden-fresh, hand-made food. We love the essence of Black Walnut and will embrace it in every aspect of the restaurant, from start to finish,” noted Attar.
A sampling of Black Walnut’s new,signature menu items
Steak Frites: A mouth-watering, 10-ounce Certified Angus Beef® rib eye, accompanied by French-fried potatoes, garlic cream cheese and garlic bread.
Fiesta Jalapeno Chicken: Bow-tie pasta, grilled chicken breasts, cheddar cheese, Pavia sauce, jalapenos, bell peppers, garlic, pico de gallo and fresh-made tortilla chips.
Eggs Benedict: A toasted English muffin topped with two poached eggs and a signature cayenne, citrus hollandaise sauce, plus Nueske’s famous Canadian bacon and a side of red breakfast potatoes.
Black Walnut Salad: With green apples, gorgonzola cheese, walnuts, fresh field greens, house-marinated grilled chicken breast, savory tomato vinaigrette.
About Hubbell & Hudson Bistro & Market
Hubbell & Hudson Market & Bistro is a one-of-a-kind, upscale artisan-food market offering guest’s unparalleled culinary foods, products and customer service. Slated to open in fall 2008, it includes a specialty foods market, full-service bistro, catering service and a Viking® Cooking School. Conveniently located on the Waterway in The Woodlands, Hubbell & Hudson will offer locally grown premium produce, artisan bakery items, rustic pastries, boutique wine, premium dry-aged meats, chef-prepared ready-to-take-home meals, on-site culinary experts, and much more.
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