Hey foodies! I have an adorable restaurant for you to add to your list. It’s part of the new Hyatt Regency Conroe in Grand Central Park – just a short drive from The Woodlands (20 minutes tops!) – so you can make this a full-blown staycation experience. An R&R (restaurant and retreat) is the ultimate couple’s date or girl’s weekend away, so start making plans!
Conroux opened at the end of May and is located on the first floor of the Hyatt Regency at 1001 Grand Central Parkway, Conroe, TX 77304, just south of historic downtown Conroe.
I made my visit a mommy & me excursion with my teenage daughter, and we also checked in for an overnight stay.
Editor's Experience
Ahhh, let me tell you!! The restaurant is sooooo gorgeous! It’s bright and spacious with high ceilings and modern architectural details. I really admired the circular dining booth seating that makes for cozy couples’ conversation. In my case, hanging with my teen, we enjoyed sitting together and taking selfies!
Gotta be honest… the "roux" in the restaurant name made me think that this was a Creole/Cajun type of joint, but luckily I was smart enough to check the menu in advance. There's some fusion going on, but this isn't New Orleans cuisine, so don't come here expecting it. The full-service restaurant actually celebrates Texas Gulf cuisine with homage to Vietnamese flavors through menu items like crawfish fritters, corn chowder, and pork belly banh mi. This place does food their own way, featuring dishes driven by local ingredients.
For starters, we ordered two drinks: a Passionfruit Cherry Limeade mocktail, and The Texas Sunset, their signature craft cocktail with orange juice and pineapple, two of my favorite fruit flavors! I'm not one for alcoholic beverages, but I heard that this one had smoke involved, and, well, I'm always up for a good “show.” The drink was poured tableside, so indeed I got the entertainment I was seeking, a beautiful display of aromatic smoke, softly twirling upward. To boot, the drink was delectable and elegant, sweet and citrusy – sure to especially delight you if you enjoy a good Bourbon.
For appetizers, we tried the corn muffins, the crawfish fritters, and crab cakes. My favorite was the crab cakes, and you’ll have to disregard the fact that it’s plural on the menu. It’s served as a single crabcake that’s thick and plentiful (enough to share), fresh, and flavorful.
I asked my server for a recommendation for the main entree, and she quickly offered the redfish as a favorite choice. Perfect, as it was the very thing I was eyeing. Mmm, mmm, mmm. Be warned, it's called Blackened Redfish, but it wasn't the blackened with all the smoky, charred, Creole flavors that I was used to. What I got was an absolutely scrumptious, perfectly-flavored cut of fish, with crispy skin on top. That single piece of crispy skin really made my whole meal! It was well-seasoned with a slight tangy/lemony flavor, and I know I will order this dish again and again. The fish was paired with the best sautéed spinach. Mind you, spinach is often something I tolerate but never something I truly enjoy. This spinach, however, was very enjoyable!
Hold on, I said the crispy fish skin made the meal, but I forgot about the dessert.
Believe me when I tell you that I am serious about my chocolate cake! For dessert I ordered the Chocolate Mousse Crunch which was rich, but not too rich, smooth and decadent, yet it had a layer of crunchiness that just made for one perfect bite after the next. It’s served with a dollop of chocolate sauce elegantly spread on the plate. The chocolate cake was so palette-pleasing, I ordered a second one to go.
Here's a photo of my daughter’s cheeseburger. As far as burgers go, it wasn't her favorite, and she did feel like it could've been a bit juicier. (I don't know why she ordered a cheeseburger when there were so many other unique flavors on the menu to sample!) She also felt the burger could've used a bit more salt. I didn’t sample it, but I did taste the fries, and they were delicious!
I definitely recommend giving this restaurant a try when you're tired of the same old same old. You'll get a peek at the Hyatt Regency hotel, which is beautiful.
As I mentioned above, we stayed overnight. Hyatt Regency Conroe has 250 well-appointed guestrooms, with complimentary Wi-Fi, modern bath amenities like Smart Mirror featuring ideal lighting, and 65” flat screen televisions with streaming capabilities. Our bed was comfortable, the room was clean, and the whole vibe had a contemporary flair. All in all, it's about what you'd expect for a new Hyatt hotel.
My favorite part of the hotel was the multiple conversation areas. Throughout the hotel, especially the first floor, there are multiple elegant spaces to sit with company. I can imagine myself staying overnight again for a work escape, and inviting a girlfriend or two to join me in the lobby area for some juicy conversation.
After you’ve had a chance to visit, please drop me a line and let me know what you thought about it!
