The recently opened Hotel Lucine in Galveston, Texas, announces that its on-site dining concepts – The Fancy and The Den – are now open to hotel guests and the public beginning today on Tuesday, Nov. 14. Helmed by chef Leila Ortiz, The Fancy will bring to the island a French-adjacent “American fine-ish dining” menu that is true to the restaurant’s Galveston roots, while conjuring the warm nostalgia of a family dinner party within its 56-seat dining room. The Den will serve as a communal space for all-day dining, from morning coffee to afternoon and evening meals and cocktails.
Hotel Lucine Introduces ‘American Fine-ish’ Dining at The Fancy & The Den: Featured in Food & Beverage Magazine
Located on the ground floor of Hotel Lucine with sweeping views of the Gulf of Mexico, the dining experience at The Fancy will be upscale casual, and the fare will be inspired by local ingredients and French technique, with a dash of artistic liberty that eschews some of traditional French cuisine’s stricter qualities. Across from The Fancy, The Den is another full-service dining space centrally located on the hotel’s ground floor, offering a walk-in-only communal space for visitors and locals alike to dine and imbibe, or to simply lounge and relax. The space will offer seating for 44, accompanied by a menu of grab-and-go bites and small plates for the mornings, with larger dishes for lunch and dinner. Beyond The Den, Hotel Lucine offers al fresco seating for 40 under the shade of a covered pergola, with The Den’s food and beverage service available
“I’m overjoyed to finally open our dining rooms to the public after so much hard work,” says Hotel Lucine Executive Chef Leila Ortiz. “The entire team, from front-of-house to the kitchen, has dedicated so much time, passion and energy to this new project, and we can’t wait to welcome the community and visitors into The Fancy and The Den.”
“Being born and raised in Galveston, I’ve been inspired by how the island expresses itself through its food,” says Hotel Lucine co-owner Keath Jacoby. “It’s an honor now to work alongside hospitality and culinary professionals who share a love for the Texas coast and are eager to create welcoming spaces for both Galvestonians and visitors alike.”
At The Den, Ortiz’s approach to an elevated and flavorful collection of dishes will begin with a breakfast menu offering imaginative choices, such as a griddled blueberry muffin with chicken liver mousse, as well as more approachable options, like a breakfast egg sandwich with housemade pickles and American cheese. Lunch and dinner will continue through the afternoon and evening with entrée salads, cold bar selections and heartier plates, such as a spicy chicken sandwich (with mojo verde, pickles and fontina), inspired by Ortiz’s Puerto Rican roots.
Dinner at The Fancy introduces locally sourced options from their cold bar, with delicacies like raw gulf tilefish (with spicy orange condimento, oregano and cucumber), classics like shrimp cocktail with “too many sauces” and elevated snacks like tuna and serrano ham with potato chips and rosemary. The delicious array of French-inspired dishes includes bucatini a la pieuvre (with pork ragu and persillade sauce), roasted gulf snapper wrapped in crispy potato (served animal style with paprika soubise sauce) and double-cut pork chop (with maque choux and crispy okra), followed by housemade desserts like warm lemon butter cake and sweet crème, as well as poached pear with sweet wine gelée and an almond puree. The Fancy boasts an extensive selection of beer, spirits and wine – including natural wines – and an exclusive lineup of cocktails and zero-proof cocktails.
Alongside The Fancy and The Den, guests and the public can immerse themselves in 180-degree views of the Gulf of Mexico on Hotel Lucine’s 3,500-square-foot rooftop – the largest beachfront rooftop bar in Galveston offering both open and covered bar areas. The Rooftop will serve as the go-to spot for aprés surf sundowners, with space to enjoy an impressive cocktail program, light bites and live entertainment. Below The Rooftop at the heart of the property, the interior courtyard pool and patio will serve as an oasis to enjoy a cocktail or dine al fresco. The courtyard features a covered pergola for shade and can be used in conjunction with Hotel Lucine’s 20-seat private dining area, The Lanai, which serves as a multipurpose dining and event space for executive meetings, cocktail events and private dining, as well as a green room for visiting musicians.
Ortiz comes to Hotel Lucine after stints abroad in the kitchens of the Sheraton and Westin Hotels and at Bludorn in Houston’s Montrose neighborhood. Her culinary repertoire also comprises roles as sous chef of New York’s Momofuku Noodle Bar and as sous chef and operations manager for Houston’s UBPreserv. With Texas roots and global experience, Ortiz’s local yet diverse background makes her a natural fit for Hotel Lucine, which draws inspiration and guests from near and far.
Designed by Austin-based Kartwheel Studio, many original aspects of Hotel Lucine’s low-slung, two-story structure and its midcentury spirit have been incorporated into the new vision for the hotel and its dining concepts. Originally developed by brothers Saul and Ben Kotin in 1963 as the Treasure Isle Motel, Hotel Lucine is the oldest remaining of a generation of midcentury beachfront motels in Galveston. The classic U-shaped courtyard underscores the hotel’s intimate layout and creates a lively, people-centric atmosphere that promotes gathering and shared experiences.
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Starting Nov. 14, The Fancy will be open for dinner service from 5 to 10 p.m., with daily lunch and brunch service on Saturday and Sunday beginning in February 2024. Reservations are encouraged and can be made via OpenTable or by calling The Fancy at (409) 867-5510. The Den will be open to the public seven days a week – coffee service will begin at 7 a.m., breakfast will be served from 8 to 11 a.m. and the all-day menu will be available from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. The Den’s bar will be open until midnight Sunday through Thursday and until 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. The Rooftop bar will be open to the public seven days a week, weather permitting.
For more information on Hotel Lucine’s dining options, including The Fancy and The Den, please visit hotellucine.com/eat-drink. For more information on Hotel Lucine or to book a room, please visit hotellucine.com. Follow Hotel Lucine on Instagram @hotellucine and @thefancytx for special announcements like new packages and additions to the team.
