Latest Dish: Winter 2019

Houston’s best food news, in small bites

Red prawn ravioli atop scallops at Tony’s
Red prawn ravioli atop scallops at Tony’s

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

Red prawn ravioli atop scallops at Tony’sRed prawn ravioli atop scallops at Tony’s

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

Food+Travel
Leadership in Action: ‘Family, Community and Spiritual Connection’ Drives Success for Henry Richardson

How did you get to where you are today? The present moment is a combined history of my family, my time as an athlete, my passion for learning, and my desire to see the world be better. I grew up as a successful springboard and platform diver, however, an injury caused me to seek alternative treatments to heal my body. In that process, I discovered the power of yoga, exercise, meditation, mindset, and nutrition. This holistic approach eventually led me to open a Pilates and cycling studio called DEFINE body & mind. I opened studios around the nation, and after selling most of my business between 2017-2019, I was ready to explore how I could make an even greater impact on the wellbeing of our community. In 2023, I started actively working on a brand new multi-family/apartment concept called, Define Living. The idea focused on offering health and wellness services within a beautiful apartment setting to increase the wellbeing of our residents. Having a strong sense of community is the number one factor in living a happy life, so why not build a community where daily fitness, cooking classes, and social connection are the norm? We opened Define Living in March of 2024, and we couldn’t be happier with how things are being received. We are already looking at building more concepts like this in the Houston area and beyond.

Keep Reading Show less

Valentino, Debbie and Rudy Festari

A STYLISH CROWD of more than 350 gathered at a River Oaks Country Club luncheon to celebrate Italian culture in Houston and take in a bright fall fashion show from Saks Fifth avenue.

Keep Reading Show less
Fashion+Home

Lady Stephanie Kimbrell, Cory McGee, and Butler Studio artists, Ani Kushyan, Alissa Goretsky and Elizabeth Hanje (photo by Michelle Watson)

ALL OF THE top performing arts organizations in Houston have now officially opened their 2024-2015 seasons, now that Houston Grand Opera has bowed with a stirring performance of Verdi’s Il trovatore at The Wortham followed by a lavish al fresco dinner in a tent on the plaza out front.The Houston Ballet and the Houston Symphony held their own grand opening night festivities earlier in the fall.

Keep Reading Show less
Art+Culture