Kiwanis Club of Houston
June 19th Luncheon
This luncheon will be at Brennan's!!
Speaker: Brad Brennan
The hospitality industry is Brad Brennan’s birthright, growing up not with a silver spoon in his mouth, rather a wooden spoon in his hand in one of the nation’s most acclaimed restaurants.
Alex grew up in the nationally acclaimed Commander’s Palace, owned and passionately run by his Aunt, New Orleans restaurant grand dame Ella Brennan. There, he tackled kitchen assignments, greeted guests, and learned the restaurant ropes by observing and participating in every role. Ella’s powerful charm, no-nonsense perspective, and sharp mentoring skills offered unique insight, as did Brad’s interactions with the celebrated chefs to whom his mother gave their starts — Emeril Lagasse, the late Jamie Shannon, Tory McPhail, and Carlos Guia among others.
While traveling along the same culinary road as family members before him, Brad took a several-year detour, training Chicago at Shaw’s Cabouse and The Eccentric. He worked at the Kuleto’s Restaurant in San Francisco, in the kitchen. While Brad was sharpening his skills in San Francisco his family added several restaurants to its stellar restaurant dynasty, including Palace Cafe. Brad eventually made his way back to New Orleans. Brad with is Cousin Ti and Cousin Dickie opened Place Cafe on Canal Street in 1991.
Brad has since had his hands in many pots. Alongside his Commander’s Palace Family of Restaurant co-owners, cousin, Alex Brennan-Martin, cousin Ti Adelaide Martin and cousin Lally Brennan, Brennan's warmth and hospitality has been extended to several ventures over the years, including Cafe Adelaide & the Swizzle Stick Bar in New Orleans in the Loew's Hotel, Commander’s Palace Destin in Destin’s Crystal Beach, and SoBou in The W Hotel in New Orleans which was just named Best New Restaurant by Esquire Magazine in 2012. The Family partnered with Darryl Reginelli to open a Reginelli’s Pizza in Baton Rouge, La and Picnic Provisions & Whiskey in New Orleans, La.
Brad left Palace Cafe in 1995 to go back to Commander’s Palace to continue his growth for the next restaurant opportunity. Brad in his growth studying wine and Liquors becoming a Sommelier in 1997. It came in 1998 when Las Vegas expressed they wanted a Commander’s Palace. Alex and Brad were able to get a deal for a Commander’s in Plant Hollywood Casino right on Las Vegas Blvd. Brad moved his family to Las Vegas in 1999 where home would be for the next 22 years.
Commander’s Palace Las Vegas opened in 2001. Conde Nast Traveler ranked it in the top 100 restaurants in the world. Winning awards from James Beard, Ivy and Sante. Commander’s was named Best Restaurant by local publications, The Review Journal and Las Vegas Sun. Listed regularly by Zagat among Houston’s “best” and “most popular” dining spots.
Brad never stopping saw an opportunity to help his cousin Alex in Houston at Brennan’s Restaurant. In 2022, moved to Houston to jump in to a Houston tradition. Alex for year has been wanting to expand the restaurant with a new bar. This was right up Brad’s alley. In 2025, Alex’s dream was complete. The Courtyard Bar was a reality.
Among his extensive industry and community activities, Brad is a member of the Nevada Restaurant Association. Brad was Chair of the Government Affairs for the Nevada Restaurant Association for 10 years. Brad also served as The President of The NvRA in his last year. Now Brad is amides. Also, served on may Board in Las Vegas to help Las Vegas grow into the city it is today. In 2008, Brad and his family were inducted into the Culinary Institute of America’s Hall of Fame, making them one of only three families to ever win this prestigious leadership award. Ranking as his most prized accomplishment, Brad is the proud father of two lovely daughters and one son who share his passion for great memories created around great meals.
Born into a family that cherishes preparing food and sharing it, Brad embraces cooking and cocktails as a labor-of-love privilege that begins and ends with people, as he mindfully walks the talk in creating lasting memories for Brennan’s patrons. Indeed, Brad’s passion for food, Cocktails, tradition, and Southern hospitality is echoed in the Texas- Creole cuisine that retains his New Orleans heritage while incorporating fresh seasonal ingredients and local traditions.
