ONe Eighteen opens in Downtown Midland complete with midcentury vibe

Perched on a corner spot of prime real estate in Downtown Midland, the H Hotel’s previous high-end dinner spot sat underutilized for years. With the intent to capture the hearts and stomachs of nightlife seekers and foodies alike, the hotel’s previous Table Restaurant closed its doors to prepare for a big renovation in September 2019.

In the months that followed, overhauls of the space were made for the recent January 2020 opening, including a new 16-seat bar, seven additional seating booths, new lighting, paint and millwork, a few kitchen modifications and most visibly, the custom walnut canopy structure that adorns the overhead bar space.

As part of the renovation, when work crews sanded the wood floor, it revealed a beautiful and deep-grained walnut, which was left natural for all to appreciate. That detail accurately describes the vibe – unfussy and classically approachable.

Plans are in the works for the courtyard to be remodeled as well, with additional seating planned and continuing the midcentury vibe. The hotel has set the tentative opening for the patio for May 2020 and will accommodate an additional 40 guests.

Paying homage to Midland’s Midcentury Modern roots, there are notable MCM design elements throughout, from the linear design accents, period-specific lighting and rich wood textures. Inside you’ll find multiple nods to the iconic design heritage rooted in Midland, from framed pieces of Midland’s notable homes, like Robert Schwartz’s Dome House built in 1964 and architectural plans and layouts, among others.

All the pottery pieces inside ONe Eighteen were created by one of the H Hotel’s staff members. Anna Szafranski, a local artist and server at Café Zinc completed all pieces especially for the new restaurant. In her spare time, Szafranski creates pottery professionally out of Space Studios in Midland.

The menu is full of recognizable American classics, from an array of sliders, to hearty Texas chili, to a shrimp and lobster roll and a prime rib sandwich – there is something for everyone. The menu also sports quite a few vegetable-forward options for non-meat eaters.  

“We went back to basics and focused on classic American cuisine, with a focus on serving excellent quality,” says Derick Grimaldi, General Manager of The H Hotel. “You’ll find comfort food that is fitting and approachable for all occasions, whether that is a gathering spot for locals, for a date night, or the out-of-town traveler.”

Menu items range from $5-25 on average and upgrades are available for the chef’s premium select options including filet mignon, Chilean Sea Bass and lamb chops among others.

ONe Eighteen added 25 jobs in both the front and back of the house positions. All previous employees of The Table are either back working at the restaurant or working in other areas of the hotel.

Initial impressions have been great since the restaurants soft opening weekend for friends and family and official opening January 27.

“This is exactly what Midland was missing,” says Jenni Bush, an opening-night diner and local professional. “The whole atmosphere and the interior design touches are sophisticated yet inviting.”

For more about ONe Eighteen and to make a reservation, visit their website at https://www.oneeighteenmidland.com/ or find them on Facebook.