Sensational Spin-Offs, Market-Savvy Cafés and More: Best New Restaurants Opening This Week

Sensational Spin-Offs, Market-Savvy Cafés and More: Best New Restaurants Opening This Week

Agnes (photo by Kirsten Gilliam)

AFTER A LONG year-plus of operating in survival mode, restaurants and their owners are enjoying the anticipated return to their patrons' normal routines. And many are setting into motion long-held plans to expand and open new hot spots — like these concepts slated to open in the next week. Keep scrolling to find out what all is on the menu!


Badolina (photo by Ralph Smith)

BADOLINA Those who have had the pleasure of dining at Israeli steakhouse Doris Metropolitan on Shepherd know that the best part of an already fantastic meal there is the bread basket. Now, the owners — who recently formed a restaurant group called Sof Hospitality — are making the most of their carb-savvy rep, spinning off Badolina Bakery & Café in Rice Village.

It opens today, with tons of fresh baked breads, pastries of the sweet and savory variety, custom cakes, to-die-for desserts and more. It's all been in the works for more than a year; the team spent much of the pandemic testing new recipes and planning the 1,500-square-foot space, which is situated next door to the group's forthcoming Hamsa restaurant.

Agnes (photo by Kirsten Gilliam)

AGNES This "fine-casual" café-grocery-store hybrid opens in the space formerly occupied by Tropicales on Tuesday. Boasting Mediterranean eats for breakfast and lunch — dinner to follow soon! — Agnes Café & Provisions is the first joint venture from Molly Voorhees (Beck's Prime, The Chocolate Bar) and Carolyn Dorros (Wolff Companies). The St. John's School grads reimagined the Michael Hsu-designed space with help from Garrison Design Office, who updated it with tan leather banquettes, accents of oak and brass, and a new marble bar.

Treat yourself with baklava granola or breakfast mezze in the morning, or perhaps opt for a black-bean-and-beet burger with tahini ranch on brioche for lunch. There will be wine and cocktails — like a rosemary paloma and a blood-orange marg made with mescal — too.

Agnes' retail section will proffer unique hostess gifts, along with bottles of fine wine, pre-made dips, dressings and dishes, and more.

Sweetgreen

SWEETGREEN The fifth area location of Sweetgreen also opens next Tuesday, June 8, in the just-opened M-K-T Heights development. There'll be ample seating on the spacious patio, and inside, art courtesy of local maker Dana Caldera, whose collage pieces layer found materials and paint, adorn the walls. Additionally, Sweetgreen will make an opening-day donation to Brighter Bites and Black Lives Matter Houston.

NoPo Café (photo by Kirsten Gilliam)

NOPO CAFÉ The latest concept from Ben Berg may open next week, too, next-door to Berg Hospitality's corporate office on North Post Oak, just west of Timbergrove. Boasting a cozy French-country-inspired dining room and bar, the all-day NoPo Café — offering counter service for breakfast and lunch, and full service at dinner — is a collaboration with Robert Cay of Clay Development & Construction. Similar to Agnes, NoPo will have a retail element, with local provisions, premade meals and fresh baked pastries. Keep an eye on social for official opening announcements!

From Your Site Articles
Food
Leadership in Action: John Kuykendall Traded Newcaster Dream for Success in Luxury Retail

John Kuykendall, Showroom Manager, Sub-Zero, Wolf and Cove

How did you get to where you are today? Growing up I had envisioned myself as a news anchor, living in NY and enthusiastically saying into the camera “Good Morning America!”. To this day, I am still a news/political junkie. My mother owned fur salons so specialty retail, luxury retail was in my blood through the family business. Eventually, mom shuttered the stores and I was recruited to a large specialty retailer. Over the next 30 years, I was in commissioned sales on the sales floor, became a department manager, worked my way up to buyer and store manager. Although I never became a newscaster, I did live in NYC for a few years. But Texas is home and with aging grandparents, I felt the pull to come back to my roots. A headhunter approached me. I never envisioned myself in the high-end appliance market, but there are so many similarities. Clients want a memorable experience; whether shopping for diamonds and fur or remodeling their kitchen.

Keep Reading Show less

What year was your organization launched? Founded in Houston in 1947, as the Cerebral Palsy Treatment Center, the organization provided services to individuals with disabilities living in Houston and Harris County. In 1989, the organization changed its name and greatly expanded its services to meet the needs of its clientele. Today as Easter Seals Greater Houston, the organization provides multiple outstanding service programs to children, adults, veterans, and service members with all types of disabilities and their families in Harris and sixteen surrounding counties.

Keep Reading Show less

How did you get to where you are today? My journey to where I am today is built on a foundation of hard work, dedication, and perseverance. Every step along the way, I faced obstacles, but I approached each one with determination and a “never give up” mindset. Instead of being discouraged by challenges, I used them as opportunities to grow and improve. Consistency was key—I committed to showing up and giving my best effort every day. I also learned not to take “no” as a final answer. Instead, I saw it as a chance to push harder, adapt, and find another way forward. It’s this combination of persistence, resilience, and unwavering focus that has brought me to where I am today.

Keep Reading Show less