Montrose’s Harlow District just got a serious flavor upgrade. Exilio Latin Flair is now open at 2817 W. Dallas St., serving a contemporary Latin-fusion menu for weekend brunch, lunch, and dinner, all built around artisanal, grain-free masa bases and coastal seafood. In the kitchen, chef Renato de Pirro is pairing flame-kissed proteins with refined raw preparations, leaning into both smoke and freshness on the same plate.
Designed by Carlos Castroparedes, the dining room layers vivid Latin colors with a covered patio and tiered fountain, aiming for an upscale but lively feel, according to Exilio Latin Flair. The owners describe the space as a kind of sanctuary, where bold flavors, dramatic plating, and a bit of spectacle are all part of the experience.
Menu highlights and masa bases
Early bites include Agua Chile Negro, a Gulf Crab Cóctel, and fried Gulf oysters before moving into mains that range from Milanesa to Argentinian-style steaks, with the kitchen pressing its own chick-pea, blue-corn, and black-bean tortillas in-house, as reported by FOX 26 Houston. A smoky tatemada sauce and a stack of layered condiments show up across the menu to dress those scratch-made bases, while the broader lineup mixes coastal seafood with South American-style grilled meats.
Hours, parking and reservations
Exilio lists brunch service on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with weekday lunch and nightly dinner, and recommends that guests book ahead via its reservation portal. Valet parking is the only option for diners, according to the restaurant’s hours page, and the venue posts a business-casual dress guideline. The phone number for reservations is (832) 569-5007, and while walk-ins may be seated, parties are encouraged to reserve in advance.
Where Exilio fits in Houston's dining scene
Exilio is the newest project from Bari Hospitality, the group behind Bari Ristorante and the recent Georgia James acquisition, a move first reported by CultureMap Houston. Local coverage picked up on the restaurant’s soft opening in April, and early writeups from The Infatuation and Houston Press have highlighted polished plating and the patio-focused vibe. Its arrival adds a Latin-focused, higher-end option to a Montrose stretch that has been busy with spring openings.
The debut also lands in the middle of Houston’s charity-minded dining calendar: Houston Restaurant Weeks is set from Aug. 1 through Labor Day, with menus going online July 15, 2026, and participating restaurants have helped raise more than $22 million for the Houston Food Bank over 21 years, according to FOX 26 Houston. With that philanthropic backdrop shaping how some openings and promotions are timed, Exilio is currently focused on taking reservations and steadily building a following among Montrose diners looking for a contemporary Latin meal.
