Justin Yu and Bobby Heugel have joined forces once again to bring an original concept to the Heights. The yet-to-be-named restaurant will occupy the space which once housed Southern Goods on W. 19th St., and will boast star culinary power including Drew Grimma, Mark Clayton and Terry Williams. 632 W. 19th St.
Midtown’s Mid-Main development is now home to Florida-based The Brass Tap, a beer-enthusiast’s paradise with bar bites to match. It’s bottoms up at this upscale beer bar, where patrons can choose from 300 different varieties, including local and international brews. 922 Holman St., 281.501.0319
Poké, please! Pokeology (2313 Edwards St.) has found a permanent home at Sawyer Yards off Washington. The longtime poké-bar favorite, earning praise at pop-ups and a temporary space in Rice Village, has debuted with its menu of signature colorful poké bowls, along with plenty of non-poké offerings like mussels and chicken karaage. Also, continuing its expansion across the greater Houston area, New York chain Pokéworks (2630 Pearland Pkwy., ste. 110) has brought its bowls and burritos to Pearland with its newest location.
What a bargain! Fine-dining stalwart Tony’s now offers a three-course tasting menu for just $49. “We are really excited to offer such a great experience at such a wonderful price,” says Tony’s managing partner Scott Sulma. Choose among all the items on the restaurant’s signature seven-course tasting menu, like the decadent red prawn ravioli with seared diver scallop and fennel. 3755 Richmond Ave., 713.622.6778
The new Galleria-area Snooze, an A.M. Eatery, housed in the former Arcodoro space, is the sixth location for the rapidly expanding diner taking over Houston. Like its other locations, the restaurant features over-the-top breakfast-all-day items like pineapple upside-down pancakes, and an expansive dog-friendly patio. 5000 Westheimer Rd.
James Friedberg, formally of Le Cirque and Gilt in New York, has taken the reins as executive chef at Uptown’s La Table, debuting new menus for lunch, dinner and brunch. Downstairs, at the relaxed Marché, new offerings include roasted vegetable cassolette with poached egg and halibut accompanied by rice pilaf. The more formal Château concept upstairs boasts tableside classics like the dover sole meuniére, flown in fresh from France daily and fileted in the dining room. 1800 Post Oak Blvd., 713.439.1000
Also in Uptown, former Sud Italia chef Maurizio Ferrarese has signed on at Hotel Granduca. The veteran Houston chef, a native of northern Italy, is overseeing direction of Ristorante Cavour, all in-room dining and catering, and has revamped breakfast, lunch, dinner and afternoon tea menus for a fresh start to the new year. 1080 Uptown Park Blvd., 713.418.1104
Irma’s Original Restaurant has debuted with a new location and name, Irma’s Southwest, within luxury high-rise Catalyst Houston, steps from Minute Maid Park. The new concept incorporates the same traditions of authentic Tex-Mex with a focus on tacos, enchiladas and tamales, but in a sprawling and chic space which serves as a festive meeting place before and after Astros games. 1874 Texas Ave., 713.247.9651
Betsy’s at Evelyn’s Park is now open! The latest restaurant in the Adair Concepts family (Adair Kitchen, Eloise Nichols, Bebidas, Skeeter’s, Los Tios) bowed in the Bellaire park’s charming yellow house, offering an all-day menu with items like steel-cut oats with Malk maple-pecan milk; a superfoods bowl; and locally roasted Bright Side coffee. 4400 Bellaire Blvd.
Tasty new seasonal offerings at Sunday Funday fave a’Bouzy include a brioche-toast service at brunch, with a rotating selection of locally sourced butters, jams and honeys — all best washed down with a glass of Champs! At lunch and dinner, start with new apps like deviled eggs with chorizo, or savory artichoke-caviar dip. Hearty mains include beef Bourguignon and Hudson Valley duck breast with truffle cream. 2300 Westheimer Rd., 713.722.6899
AT TOP: The creamy new floating-island dessert at La Table