Get the 'Scoop!' Frozen Treats, Exciting Expansions, and More of This Week's Food News

Get the 'Scoop!' Frozen Treats, Exciting Expansions, and More of This Week's Food News

Summer oysters at Little's Oyster Bar (photo by Garrett Smith)

WITH THIS WEEK'S heat index, and a flip of the calendar, summer has officially arrived in every sense here in H-Town. But not to worry! There are plenty of cool things to eat, drink and do all over town this summer. Here's where to chill!


Phat Eatery

Sizzling beef with black pepper (photo by Chuck Cook)

After chef-proprietor Alex Au-Yeung lost his battle with cancer in March of this year, the new outpost of his acclaimed Phat Eatery — which originated in Katy and garnered him a James Beard nod in 2022 — in The Woodlands is even more worth the trek. It opened this week and is a celebration of Au-Yeung's legacy, from the mouthwatering menu (roti canai is simply the only way to start a meal) to the beautiful, expansive space that is three times the size of the Katy location. It was said to be his "dream restaurant," so on his behalf, Directors of Operations Kevin Lee and Marvin He proudly bring their friend’s dream to life within Grogan’s Mill Village Center.

El Bolillo Bakery

Another Houston favorite has opened a new location. El Bolillo Bakery is now open on Fountain View, in the now-colorful building previously home to Firehouse Saloon. The murals featuring butterfly motifs were painted by a 10-year employee of El Bolillo, Mariel Rascon. Take in the vibrant visuals while placing an order for the award-winning tres leches — representative of the bakery's traditional Mexican roots — and an impressive array of 100-plus breads and pan dulce showcasing global flavors and creativity. This is the fifth El Bolillo Bakery in the Houston area.

Holman Draft Hall

Holman Draft Hall (photo by Emily Vitek)

The Midtown food hall will close on July 1 — but will be right back, they say! It'll reopen in August as Solarium, which will offer "an expanded multi-faceted experience including full drink and dining service," per a release. This weekend, Holman Draft Hall hosts a "BRB" happy-hour event all weekend long, with special pricing on beer, wine and frozens, and a brunch menu featuring "Brunchuterie" boards.

Sound & Color

Dawn Burrell (photo by Jenn Duncan)

Chef Dawn Burrell debuts a new dining series celebrating culinary and mixed-media arts, inspired by her vast travels. The first one is this Saturday, June 29, and is presented in collaboration with chef Dominick Lee of forthcoming Augustine's. New Orleans-reared Lee has worked in Houston kitchens including Kiran's and Poitín, and most recently opened an exciting bar-restaurant in New York before making his way back to Houston. For her part, Burrell has also just returned to H-Town, after a five-month stint in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where she opened Marcus Samuelsson's namesake restaurant, Marcus Addis. Tickets are available here.

Little's Oyster Bar

Little's Oyster Bar (photo by Garrett Smith)

One of Houston's hottest reservations has a refreshing new menu to tout. Try the Soupe de Poisson with grilled scallops, wild-alligator andouille and garlic toast, or perhaps the chicken-fried soft-shell crabs with hot honey. Keep things lighter with selections like summer squash with olive-salsa-verde — and don't turn down a drink! The Peach Pit with Maker's Mark and peach cream soda hits the spot.

The Pit Room

Sundae selections at The Pit Room (photo by Alex Montoya)

The new Memorial City barbecue joint has a can't-miss feature: a dessert bar with ice cream (not just chocolate and vanilla here — there's red-velvet-white-chocolate, snickerdoodle and more!), toppings, and options for cookie sandwiches and sundaes. Yes, please.

State Fare

All three locations of this comfort-food-chic standby will serve a 'Merica-Style Freedom Board during the four-day July 4th weekend, with elote-style corn ribs, deviled eggs, and State Fare's famous dill pickle dip with barbecue chips. And try a flight of frozen cocktails, available all summer long.

Consistent Focus on the Patient Is What Sets Montrose Med Spa Apart

Owner Maricela Olivo and Montrose Med Spa

WHAT MAKES MONTROSE Med Spa stand apart from the competition? We set ourselves apart from the competition by being consistently focused on one thing: the patient. With that focus, we will succeed in a successful and healthy experience and loyalty to Montrose Med Spa. Staying true to our message of intentional wellness is a point of difference where I see other spas being unclear and distracted in their direction. By listening to our patients, we ensure we meet and exceed their expectations. We continually stay on top of the market by offering the best innovative body sculpting and skin treatments that invigorate and energize and are specifically designed to restore balance and strength and renew youth to the body. We also utilize a number of marketing programs to stay on the minds of our guests, including radio, TV, direct mail, email blasts, and unique invitations for exclusive treatments. One element that helps to establish the bar and sets us apart from our competition is our emphasis on providing a complete medical gym experience—from the varied treatments with Emsculpt Neo to a personalized health and wellness and skin evaluation for each individual by our certified staff. We also provide a noninvasive, pain-free, and needle-free facelift through EMFace in addition to offering monthly beauty memberships that create a commitment to the overall wellbeing of the patient.

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The shiny new Dr. Jack Express electric locomotive

JUST IN TIME for a long weekend — and a teeny reprieve from triple-digit temps — Hermann Park Conservancy has announced it will offer free train rides from Aug. 31-Sept. 6 to celebrate a pair of new locomotives.

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People + Places

Refreshing bites at Bloom & Bee; the famous French onion soup at Artisans (photo by Shane Dante)

THIS SUMMER HAS been uniquely brutal for the hospitality industry, with devastating losses from the derecho and Beryl. But a bright spot for many has been Houston Restaurant Weeks, the annual August event that gives foodies and restaurants alike a jolt of energy.

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Food