Claire-Smith-3x4-711.jpg

Claire Smith, Canopy& Alice Blue


Claire's Houston Heights restaurant, Shade opened to rave reviews in December 2003 and provided the historic neighborhood with its first serious dining destination. Her contemporary, comfortable eatery highlights what has been described as, "global home cooking." Houstonians were just tickled to have her back, having become addicted to Claire's way with food at her first restaurant, Daily Review, which she sold in 2000 before taking off on a two year coast to coast culinary adventure.

Shade earned Smith the Restaurateur of the Year Award from My Table Magazine in 2004 and was named one of the 10 Best New Restaurants in the state by Texas Monthly. In 2009, she opened Canopy, in the Montrose area, which is fast becoming the neighborhood place. Claire holds a degree from the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco, CA, where she graduated Valedictorian, and she has a Bachelor of Arts in Art and in Art History from Rice University.

Claire is a founding member of our Chef Advisory Board and has hosted many fundraising event on behalf of RFS.