In northeast Houston, just off Beltway 8 near Lake Houston Parkway, Generation Park—a 4,300-acre master planned development by McCord Development—is steadily adding the everyday amenities that transform large-scale projects into community anchors. That vision is most evident at Redemption Square, the lifestyle district at Generation Park where fine dining, work, and daily conveniences intersect.
At the heart of Redemption Square is Culinary Director Justin Turner, who is creating a dining program rooted in quality and craftsmanship, with two unique restaurant concepts, Lupo and Bocca.
Together, Chef Turner’s concepts are helping Generation Park grow beyond a business center and into a true community gathering place.
From humble beginnings to culinary direction
Chef Turner’s path to leading culinary strategy at one of Houston’s most ambitious developments was a steady ascent through the restaurant industry.
“I didn’t grow up with good cooks, so I stumbled into it at first,” Turner said. “I started in casual dining, but it wasn’t until I was really encouraged to take it seriously that everything changed. Memphis is where I learned—long hours, tough kitchens, and my real culinary education.”
His career accelerated from that foundation. He launched Bernie’s Burger Bus, a Houston staple that grew from a food truck into a full-scale concept, earned national recognition after winning Food Network’s Chopped, and served as a personal chef for NBA player Shane Battier.
That range of experience now informs every dish he prepares at Lupo and Bocca.
A simple cooking philosophy
Ask Turner what drives his cooking, and the answer is immediate: ingredients first.
That philosophy applies to every menu under his direction. Whether it’s house-made pasta, sourced seafood, or seasonal Texas produce, the goal is to let quality lead the experience.
“I’m not pigeonholed into a specific cuisine style because it starts with the product,” Turner said. “Ingredients are the foundation; everything else is built around that.”
Two concepts, one connected experience
At Redemption Square, Turner’s culinary vision unfolds through two distinct but complementary spaces for different times of the day.
Lupo is designed for flexibility—part cafe, part lunch destination, part community hangout.
“We’re coffee for the people going into the office in the morning, then by lunchtime it shifts into a more casual, energetic spot,” Turner said. “It has an easy, all-day rhythm — people working over espresso, grabbing lunch or hanging out — and it feels relaxed and welcoming.”
- Katz Coffee
- Breakfast and grab-and-go cafe offerings
- Signature burgers inspired by Bernie’s Burger Bus
- Casual favorites, including brisket fries and lobster rolls
Bocca: Scratch-made Italian
Just steps away, Bocca offers elevated Italian-American cuisine rooted in tradition, blending comfort and refinement. It’s an ideal setting for business dinners, date nights, or an upscale evening with friends.
“Italian food is about simplicity—just a handful of ingredients done right,” Turner said. “Our focus is making sure every ingredient is the best it can be.”
- House-made pasta and doughs
- Seasonal seafood dishes
- Rotating specials based on fresh sourcing
- Signature cocktails, including an espresso martini and cucumber martini
An anchor for a growing community
At Redemption Square, Bocca and Lupo are early expressions of a broader hospitality ecosystem planned for Generation Park, one designed to grow and evolve with our community.
For Turner, the alignment between food and place is what makes the opportunity unique.
“McCord Development doesn’t sacrifice its vision,” he said. “The thought behind its development process inspires me to push my culinary boundaries.”
That shared philosophy—between thoughtful development and intentional experiences—sets Generation Park apart. It’s growth with purpose, where every detail and element contributes to a larger sense of place.
For now, the invitation is simple: come experience what’s already here. Whether it’s a morning coffee at Lupo or a more elevated dinner at Bocca, Redemption Square is serving a glimpse of what’s to come.
Visit Lupo and Bocca at 250 Assay St. in Houston, both in Redemption Square.
Explore menus or order online: Lupo | Bocca
Learn more: Redemption Square | Generation Park
Follow along: @chefjustinturner | @boccahtx | @lupohtx
The above story was produced by Multi-Platform Journalist Chloe Chapel, with the Community Impact's Storytelling team, using information solely provided by the local business as part of their "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.