From the people behind B & B Butchers, Turner’s, and Emilia’s Havana, The Annie, and more, comes Buttermilk Baby – a old fashioned soda fountain concept with a modern touch with sundaes, shakes, and ice creams – now open at M-K-T Heights.
To realize its nostalgic vision, Berg Hospitality tapped New York-based design firm, ICRAVE, to create its 3,000-square-foot, coo-casual restaurant in Building 2 of M-K-T Heights.
“Buttermilk Baby is my take on an old-school soda fountain, which was a gathering place for families and the center of social activity. Our goal is to create an experience-driven concept that evokes happy childhood memories for adults and that they can now share with their kids. It really will be a treat for Houstonians of all ages,” said Berg Hospitality Group, Benjamin Berg.
In keeping with its throwback ice cream bar concept, Berg Hospitality partnered with soft-serve pioneers Carvel, “America’s first retail ice cream franchise” to whip up unique frozen treats. The company, founded in New York in 1929, now headquartered in Atlanta, is operated as a part of Focus Brands and now has over 400 franchise locations across the country.
“Carvel has my favorite soft-serve and is the originator of soft-serve ice cream,” said Benjamin Berg. “With the brand being from the Northeast, I am happy to bring it to my new home. And everyone should try a Fudgie the Whale Cake at least once in their life!”
At Buttermilk Baby, patrons can enjoy a variety of soft-serve, sundae options, as well as Carvel ice cream cakes. Additionally, the Houston soda fountain serves burgers, biscuits, fried chicken sandwiches, salads, and more. Buttermilk Baby has also sought to create a new way of dining that it calls “cool casual” marrying fine-dining with fast-casual dining.
“For Buttermilk Baby, we decided to take our fine-dining mindset and apply it to the aesthetics, ingredients and techniques of a fast casual concept, creating what we are calling a fun, ‘cool casual’ concept,” said Berg. “We’re taking a great mix of classic Southern dishes and using only the highest-quality ingredients to provide something for everyone.”
Buttermilk Baby is now open at M-K-T Heights on 600 N. Shepherd.