This Week’s Food News: A Tex-Mex Mainstay Debuts Brunch, March in Montrose Goes Italian, and More!

Armando and Cinda Palacios’ longtime eatery, fashioned after 1920s Mexico City, is consistently packed with regulars who love their famous fresh-lime juice margaritas, delicious Tex-Mex fare and the legendary late-night dance party every Thursday night. And now, after 45 amazing years, Armandos is serving brunch for the first time. Guests can look forward to huevos rancheros, huevos revueltos, papas con huevo y chorizo, chilaquiles, and a sinful waffle selection including savory and sweet options. Wake up to a stack of Belgian waffles topped with whipped cream, cinnamon, cajeta sauce and a churro, or three Belgian waffles crowned with bacon and two eggs, and so much more. Brunch is available every Sunday from 10am-3pm.

Just in time for (hopefully!) cooler weather, Gaspachos Mexican Bites is rolling into beloved Upper Kirby green space, Levy Park. Located in the park’s kiosk next to its dog park, Gaspachos replaces Love Shack, Tim Love’s shuttered burger joint. From the familiar team behind fresh-squeezed concept Gaspachos Fruits & Cravings food truck, comes this counter-service pitstop with food to be enjoyed out of hand at the park. On the menu, look for crispy flautas, hot dogs and tacos, as well as other street snacks. Pair those with beverage options including margaritas, micheladas, and agua frescas. Expect a mid-September debut.

With the fine-dining establishment’s commitment to a new journey throughout the Mediterranean twice yearly, comes this season’s menu theme: Italy! The new Sicily menu by chef-partner Felipe Riccio launched August 16 and will continue through December 2023. Luxe courses to anticipate during the six or nine-course tasting menu includePeperunata, a roasted pepper stuffed with king crab alongside Sicilian pistachio cream; La Norma, an elegant play on the classic pasta with eggplant, tomato, basil, and ricotta salata stuffed gettoni; and Buccularu Arrustutufeaturing slow braised and grilled guanciale with mulberry, foie gras torchon and pickled onion petals. Each season, March's world-class wine and beverage team tastes through the menu to craft Classic and Premier pairings. This season, guests can expect the best of Sicilian wines along with well-chosen global options. Stay tuned for a blow-by-blow account of the new menu soon.

Rumi’s, a Persian restaurant, snatched up space in posh Post Oak Place joining Zadok Jewelers about a year ago. Now it is readying for an opening in October. Chef-owner Ali Mesghali and co-owner Stephen Kaplan created Rumi’s to offer a sophisticated take on Persian cuisine with Middle Eastern influences unlike anything here. The 5,200-square-foot Houston restaurant will be the fifth to join other U.S. outposts. Rumi’s is known for its elevated takes on shareable plates, kebabs, pickled and grilled vegetables, and steamed jeweled rice dishes. Expect an alluring ambiance with an elegant dining room, a stylish bar, and a cocktail program with Persian-themed cocktails.

Oyster season has arrived, and State of Grace is celebrating the season with a new weekday lunch oyster happy hour. The happy hour special offers a selection of fresh oysters on the half shell with tangy accoutrements for $1.99 each. It’s only available Wed.-Fri., 11am-6pm, so get cracking!

The Washington Corridor welcomes a healthy addition with this new Hong Kong-inspired eatery offering a slew of veg-centric stir-fries, wok-tossed noodles, street snacks and ramen. The dishes are a mix of Sichuan, Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, Indian and Korean cuisines and are made to order in an open kitchen. Tin Drum’s new 2,200-square foot space seats 50 and includes a patio. Restaurant officials said they were looking to create a dining experience like a curbside café in Asia with colorful interior featuring neon lights, art and graffiti. Hit the boba bar for fruit teas, milk teas and slushies in dreamy flavor combos.