Our My Top 5 feature showcases Houstonians who are shaping the culture in the city and impacting people’s lives. In turn, they share their own favorite things to do in Houston when they’re not hard at work. This week, we’re very pleased to feature Kevin Naderi, chef and owner of Roost Restaurant and a winning competitor on season 9 of Beat Bobby Flay.
My Top 5 Things to Do in Houston
by Kevin Naderi
- Cafe Layal Midtown – Our menu at Roost changes every 5 weeks, so I go to Layal to brainstorm new recipe ideas and menus. You’ll typically see me with a hookah in hand eating a fattoush salad with gyro meat and drinking an unsweet iced tea. The guys are all super friendly and know everyone. I like the music, but it tends to get “club scene” loud, so bring your headphones if you plan to work.
- Select Skate Shop – Everyone who knows me, knows that I’m a huge fan of comfortable clothing. I think the biggest advantage of being my own boss is being able to wear whatever the hell I want. RVCA shirts and shorts with some throw-away vans are staples of mine. I like being able to get everything at the same spot.
- American Shooting Center at George Bush Park – Many people don’t know this, but I’m a pretty avid skeet shooter. I go alone about once a week in the morning to relieve some stress, and I’ve gotten pretty good after some practice. With the zombie apocalypse getting closer, you should definitely touch up on your shooting skills. After all, we are in Texas!
- Gusto Gourmet – Living in Montrose for the past five years has made me miss the Venezuelan food across town. Gusto Gourmet offers a Mediterranean menu on one side of the page and great Venezuelan menu on the other. It’s a tiny restaurant (about 18 seats) with a mom and pop feel to it. Take a small group of friends and order some empanadas, cachapas, and a falafel sandwich. You can thank me later.
- Wooster’s Garden – My go to drink is a Bulleit rye with a splash of water on the rocks. I’m not a big drinker, which is rare with chefs, but when I’m in the mood for something fun and different, without pretension, this is where I go. Steven and the staff really show effort in what they do and their space is beautiful. This place is especially great for a date or a night out with the crew. The new food menu from Brand Silva is always intriguing, and the Sunday pop-ups give you something wild to look forward to.
About Kevin Naderi
Kevin Naderi, owner and executive chef of Roost, was born and raised in Houston. Naderi got his culinary start working at Picholine, Madrona Manor and Houston favorites Brennan’s, Soma, Haven and Saint Genevieve. Naderi opened his neighborhood restaurant Roost – an intimate 50-seat restaurant in Montrose serving locally sourced, farm-fresh ingredients on a rotating menu – in Montrose at the age of 26. He’s a food competition junkie who is a retired four-time Houston Press Iron Fork champion, a finalist in a season 2 episode of Guy’s Grocery Games and most recently, a winning competitor on season 9 of Beat Bobby Flay.
