A HANDFUL OF newcomers have arrived in the Memorial City area in recent months, and there are plenty more buns in the oven! The biggest news is that Aaron Bludorn's Bar Bludorn is officially open. Read more here.

Haywire, the Dallas-area fave known for Texas-inspired farm-to-table cuisine, has set its grand opening for mid-May. The multi-level restaurant — and its 2,000-square-foot Party Barn private dining space — will open at 947 Gessner Rd. on May 20. Expect a lengthy menu with plates crafted from "heritage recipes," like elk tacos, southwestern queso blanco, and Texas Gulf lump crab.

A cozy whiskey lounge boasts 200 different selections, and there's also a 400-bottle wine collection on offer.

"I'm honored to be a part of Haywire's expansion into Houston, a city that embodies the spirit of Texas hospitality,” said Jane Crouse, Managing Partner of Haywire Houston. “Our commitment to locally sourced ingredients and genuine hospitality underscores our dedication to providing an unparalleled dining experience for our guests."

Meanwhile, Kolache Shoppe has plans to open its fifth location just off the Katy Freeway in Memorial, in the same shopping strip as still-new Via 313 and Pincho. It likely won't open until early 2025, so in the meantime, catch the bakery's delicious eats — like the limited-edition crawfish kolache created in collaboration with Brennan's of Houston — at its other four locations.

Levi Goode has been working for years on his next pair of projects: Credence and Sidebar are slated to debut in Memorial City, in the base of The McKinley residential tower, this summer. The former is an upscale, fine-dining concept utilizing live-fire cooking to serve regional American fare. The speakeasy-style Sidebar will be located next-door.

And The Pit Room is another inner-Loop favorite firing up a Memorial City outpost. The savory goodness will start smoking this spring, and there will be an expansive patio, two bars, and a mini market with The Pit Room's rubs and sauces. Yum!

Trailblazing Mary cocktail at Haywire

Kolache Shoppe goodness (photo by Carla Gomez)

Savory Kolache Shoppe offerings (photo by Becca Wright)

The Pit Room's Montrose patio (photo by Duc Huang)

Steak at Credence

Levi Goode