Pizza chef Anthony Calleo, the creator of now-shuttered Pi Pizza, is planning to open a new brick-and-mortar this September in the Heights. Calleo has spent the past few years as a chef at Rudyard’s, but is ready to get his hands back in pizza. His new joint will feature Detroit-style with a few Pi Pizza faves thrown in, and will offer pick-up and delivery options. Also anticipate appetizers, meatball subs and specialty lasagna.
Nonno's arcade designed by Gin Design Group
Sara and Martin Stayer of beloved Montrose-area Nobie’s are also grabbing a piece of the pie. Scheduled to open later this summer, Nonno’s, located on Richmond adjacent to the Stayer’s bar, The Toasted Coconut, will feature square slices of Chicago tavern-style pizza in a family-friendly setting. The interior by Gin Design Group is all about ’80s nostalgia — think a retro arcade area with neon, pinball machines, vintage furniture and light fixtures. Fluffy focaccia style pan pizzas by the slice will be on offer as well as snacks, salads, desserts, cocktails and natural wines. The patio will be a welcome perch come fall — if it ever arrives!
Elro
In case you missed it, chef Terrence Gallivan’s intimate pizza and crudo resto bowed in late July and stays packed every night. A good place to begin is with cool apps like spicy cucumbers with toasted peanuts and mint; the vegan Caesar with sesame dressing; and crudos of smoked kampachi with pumpkin seeds or cured salmon with apples and celery. Six different puffy wood-fired pizzas come in combos such as chorizo with arugula, guanciale with Parmesan sauce, and more. Don’t miss the soft serve ice cream drenched in chocolate for dessert.
Street to Kitchen (photo by Richard Casteel)
Chef Angelo Emiliani of Angie’s Pizza (formerly Louie’s Italian American) has changed his restaurant’s concept name, yet again, and begun the move nearby to The Plant Second Ward. Soon, he will be slinging New York-style pies in the former How to Survive onLand and Sea space. Houston Thai restaurant Street to Kitchen is also relocating to the same complex this November. Since Benchawan Jabthong Painter won the James Beard Foundation Award for Best Chef Texas, her current 36-seat space cannot accommodate the influx of guests. The move to the former Louie’s Italian American space will provide nearly three times the amount of seating.
Nando's Peri-Peri marinated tomato, halloumi and chicken salad (photo by Greg Powers)
This popular restaurant brand recognized around the world for its flame-grilled chicken and commitment to South African farmers has made its Texas debut in the newly revamped Post Oak Plaza shopping center. “We are so excited to bring the flame, flavor and feel of Nando’s to Houston and Texas, marking our first major market expansion in nearly a decade,” said John Fisher, CEO of Nando’s PERi-PERi. “Uptown is just the beginning of an exciting journey for us in Greater Houston, and we look forward to becoming an integral part of this cosmopolitan, food and art-centric city.” Each Nando’s restaurant offers a unique perspective into South African culture and the brand’s Portuguese-South African heritage. Conceived by Texas-based Michael Hsu Office of Architecture, the space is colorful and layered with rich textures, engaging patterns and materials. Nando’s flame-grilled chicken is the menu star, marinated for 24 hours in a secret blend of herbs and spices. Options range from the PERi Chicken Bowl, Portuguese rice topped with chicken, arugula, roasted red peppers, grilled corn and velvety hummus, to Nandocas Choice, butterflied PERi-PERi chicken breast atop garlic bread with house-made coleslaw. Expect menu items with nods to Houston faves like PERi mac and cheese, the frozen Rosalita, a tequila and mezcal-laden margarita riff, and the Passion Fruit Frosé. Open daily for lunch and dinner.
As a final farewell to this year’s national Summer Sips campaign, North Italia just launched a sweet and savory, three-course prix fixe brunch throughout August you don’t want to miss. Every weekend throughout the month, the modern Italian restaurant’s brunch ($35) features starters like Banana Coffee Cake, Sicilian meatballs and cannoli French toast with ricotta, mascarpone, chocolate pearls, crushed pistachios, and maple syrup. Other mains include Farmer's Market Scramble with grilled asparagus, piquillo pepper, spinach, English pea, and grana padano; and a variety of hashes, pastas, and pizzas. Salted caramel budino and Italian donuts tempt for dessert. Cheers to select brunch cocktails ($10) like the You, Me & Capri with Campari, peach, and sparkling rosé!
Hopdoddy
It’s a new month, and with it comes a specialty burger and new happy hour deal at all Houston locations. Inspired by a New York bodega, the Burger of the Month is the Bodega Burger stacked with a chopped cheese patty, bread and butter pickles, onions, spicy ketchup and doddy mayo. For happy hour, come thirsty for half off the full menu at the bar Sun.-Thurs., 3-6pm. Couple that with the $5 food menu including sliders and fries, plus specialty cocktails, and you’ve saved some dough.
