Behind the Pass: Chef Austin Waiter

The Marigold Club is the fourth restaurant for Goodnight Hospitality, opened in 2022 on their campus in the Montrose neighborhood of Houston, TX.  Their empire is walkable: within yards, you'll find MARCH, a Michelin-starred, fully immersive dining destination; Rosie Cannonball, a lively spot serving European comfort food centered on the wood-burning oven and grill; and Montrose Cheese & Wine, a shop with an impressive selection. Each of their concepts expresses the group's commitment to excellence in service, beauty in the environment and on the plate, and passion for welcoming guests into their home. They always want to give a little more than expected, and express whimsy and elegance in many of these flourishes. Goodnight Hospitality is led by master sommelier June Rodil, Chef Felipe Riccio, and Chef Austin Waiter. 

Glamour Meets Montrose Energy 

The Goodnight team has completely transformed their space into a lush, high-style dining destination with green velvet ceilings, hand-painted murals by Pailine de Roussy Sales, custom Murano-glass chandeliers, cozy banquettes, a baby grand Steinway piano, and a series of distinct spaces that create a sense of discovery throughout the restaurant. Diners may even recognize some of the characters in the murals because the artist depicted the restaurant chef and partners with their families and pets.  

It has all the polished glamour of London’s Mayfair dining rooms, while embracing Houston’s warmth, color, and appetite for celebration—an elegant, theatrical setting for French-inspired cooking, serious wine, and long, lingering evenings. But also, long brunches, cocktails, and afternoon tea in another lush, but more casual, room that complements the main dining room.  The team puts true hospitality at the forefront, endeavoring to give every guest an experience that is exactly what they want for their personal occasion.  

The Marigold Menu 

The 160-seat restaurant is led by Chef-Partner Austin Waiter, whose menu uses a French foundation while reflecting the international influences that shape London’s dining culture. The guiding principle is that fancy doesn’t necessarily mean formal, so the cooking is refined yet inviting. Chef Austin puts an emphasis on thoughtful and classic techniques—like the ones he learned at the Culinary Institute of America—putting a spotlight on well-sourced ingredients. The menu is filled with the kind of dishes that feel right at home alongside Champagne, caviar, and a well-chosen bottle of wine.  With a master sommelier behind every choice, the wine program is stellar, ambitious, and has three stars from the World of Fine Wine London Awards. 

Chef Austin never really thought of being a chef, but he needed a job while he figured out his life, so he took work in a kitchen and got hooked on it. He loved the camaraderie of cooking alongside people and problem-solving in an intense environment. Now that he is in the kitchen, it's all he can think about.  

Today, Chef Austin is focused on sourcing and staying curious. He is intensely interested in how food is raised and produced; a local farm provides them with fresh seasonal vegetables, and the team often takes field trips, for instance, to an oyster farm. Fortune works closely with Chef Austin and his team to find exceptional and unusual ingredients to support their changing menus.  We watched him skillfully break down a 35-40 lb. halibut for his beautiful, seared fillet served with sauce vierge, tomato jam, and tarragon.  

Chef Austin believes in traveling to educate, inform, and inspire chefs. He says asking questions is the best thing you can do in the kitchen. His team at The Marigold Club, and the larger Goodnight Hospitality family, both BOH and FOH, are a constant source of inspiration to him. His positive attitude is evident in his advice to others working in the kitchen: "Really show up and be happy. Come to learn with an open mind. Pick up others who are having a bad day." 

A New Houston Classic 

The Marigold Club is more than a destination for beautiful interiors. It represents a particular kind of Houston dining: ambitious, expressive, and hospitable, with the confidence to pair high design and polished service with the city’s natural conviviality. For a special occasion, a stylish night out, or a leisurely meal that invites guests to stay awhile, The Marigold Club delivers a setting where French inspiration, London polish, and Houston character meet. It's got to be the poshest hangout on this side of the pond.  

Watch a short video with Chef Austin at The Marigold Club.