Introduction to The Ranch Saloon + Steakhouse
Acclaimed restaurateur Ben Berg has once again blessed Houstonians with his heralded pop-up, The Ranch Saloon + Steakhouse, bestowing Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo attendees an on-site fine dining experience unlike any other. The restaurant’s immersive decor is personal to its proprietor, with Berg handling the design all by himself in just five weeks. Planning begins in July, as Berg notes, “The rodeo is not going to wait for us.”
The Inspiration Behind The Ranch
The pure, unadulterated gusto that Berg brings to his restaurants makes it somewhat difficult to remember that he is a New York native. His Wagyu-Excelente beef comes straight from Gearhart Ranch in West Texas, which inspired the interior for his rodeo pop-up. Berg wanted to create a space that transports customers to a different world, with dimly-lit chandeliers and walls draped in fabric printed with scenic photos taken from his personal experiences at Gearhart Ranch.
A Unique Dining Experience
The multitude of dimly-lit chandeliers are not just for looks, but to evoke the feeling of twilight at the ranch. Berg chose to drape the walls of “The Ranch” in fabric printed with scenic photos taken from his personal experiences at Gearhart Ranch, featuring real cowboys and authentic ranch scenes. For added authenticity, the bandanas are all handpicked by Berg. The result is a dining experience that feels like stepping into a different world, one that is both rustic and refined.
Collaboration with Laura Goodson
For a dash of added fun, popular Texas artist Laura Goodson collaborated with Berg on a collection of her ongoing series of cowboys, cowgirls, and bandits. The collection features 93 pieces of original works, including paintings, sculpture, and her newly-created neon collection. A dining experience at “The Ranch” is very much like dining in an art gallery, with Goodson’s works on display throughout the restaurant. Goodson’s pieces start at $300, but can easily end at $3,600, and she has already found herself taking numerous commissions from patrons who want to see themselves reflected in her contemporary, monochromatic, western artworks.
A Masterful Improviser
Goodson is a self-proclaimed “masterful improviser,” making it easy to see how diners walk away with works that are truly one-of-a-kind. If your party indulges in pre-dinner drinks from one of Berg’s now famous “margarita trees” beneath a Goodson original, you have to take it home, right? At that point, it’s a friend! With a Goodson original practically at every table, a party of four becomes five—Hey, Cowboy!
The Instagram-Friendly Photo Room
Later this month, many rodeo-folk will find themselves taking the short jog to Round Top, Texas, for the spring antiques show. Goodson recently set up shop in her eponymous art gallery on Henkel Square, next to the enormously popular Italian restaurant Lulu’s. Just across the park from Goodson’s new Henkel Square gallery in Round Top is renowned purveyor of luxury vintage attire Modern Marla. Berg tapped proprietor Marla Hurley to outfit the very Instagram-friendly photo room at The Ranch with aesthetically-pleasing vintage decor and accoutrements extremely fitting to a Texas ranch — complete with a tobacco-brown Chesterfield sofa.
Upcoming Events
On Thursday, March 13, The Ranch will host a live painting by Goodson that’s so enormous it requires scaffolding. If OpenTable has any of Berg’s 250 seats available, it’s a do-not-miss component of a visit to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Otherwise, there is a 200 person walk-up bar available for those willing to wait. Good luck!
Conclusion
The Ranch Saloon + Steakhouse is a must-visit destination for anyone attending the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. With its unique decor, delicious food, and exclusive art collection, it’s an experience you won’t want to miss. Whether you’re a foodie, an art lover, or just looking for a fun and memorable experience, The Ranch has something for everyone. So saddle up and mosey on over to The Ranch Saloon + Steakhouse for an unforgettable night out in Houston.
