TRIS, the popular upscale restaurant in The Woodlands, has closed after Executive Chef Austin Simmons' departure. The closure, announced on its website, took effect immediately, ending its decade-long run as a beloved dining spot.
TRIS, the popular restaurant in The Woodlands, is closing after chef Austin Simmons decided to step down. Known for its signature dishes like Korean butter poached crab, the restaurant was named after Simmons’ daughter and became a local favorite. Haydar Kustu, director of business development at Black Forest Ventures, said, "It took us by surprise," noting Simmons’ decision to leave "He said he wants to spend more time with his family and his fiancee. He didn’t give any indication of what he wants to do next." TRIS announced, “After more than a decade of delivering exceptional dining experiences and forging deep connections with the community, TRIS will close its doors effective immediately,” as stated by CultureMap.
Simmons, known for his sustainable beef efforts and collaboration with Texas rancher Larry Ludeke on the Gyulais wagyu program, earned praise from Joe Rogan, who called his 2023 dinner at TRIS "one of the best meals I’ve ever had in my life." Despite this, TRIS has closed, with staff moving to other company ventures like The Kitchen in The Woodlands, Black Walnut Cafe locations, and a new spot at George Bush Intercontinental Airport. The future of TRIS's prime location on The Woodlands Waterway is unclear, as Black Forest Ventures has shown interest but has no immediate plans for a replacement, according to both KHOU and CultureMap.
