This Week's Food News: Norigami Bows, Pumpkin-Spiced Treats Beckon, and More!

This Week's Food News: Norigami Bows, Pumpkin-Spiced Treats Beckon, and More!

Norigami spread (photo by Michael Anthony)

FALL IS HERE, supposedly, and while the weather isn't cooperating, the Houston restaurant scene has plenty of cool things in store for this weekend and beyond.


Norigami

Hidden Bar (photo by Jenn Duncan)

The owners of Hidden Omakase and Sushi by Hidden have been testing out their new concept, Norigami, for a couple years via pop-up events — and now, the brick-and-mortar hand-roll restaurant is officially open in West U. The Bissonnet space has two distinct areas — the main dining area, and a speakeasy-style bar called, of course, Hidden Bar. Expect apps like truffle-topped Hamachi crudo, or “Steak and Eggs” served with caviar and toast. The signature handrolls can be ordered individually, or as a set. The Tokyo-inspired space boasts colorful LED lights, lots of wood tones, and decorative shelves of origami cranes.

“We are excited to bring the Norigami concept to a permanent location in Houston,” said Executive Chef Jimmy Kieu in a statement. “After doing pop-ups for a while, now more Houstonians will be able to experience what we have to offer.”

Norigami is open for dinner beginning at 5pm on weeknights, and 3pm on weekends.

Tenfold Coffee

Tenfold (photo by Caroline Boyle)

The popular Heights coffeeshop Tenfold is opening a separate roastery later this fall at new East End development The Plant in Second Ward. According to a release, the expanded footprint will also allow Tenfold to pursue new endeavors, such as specialty-minded cold brew and wholesale opportunities like a partnership with Eden Plant Co., a dual coffee and plant shop concept also in The Plant. The new roastery won’t be public-facing, but the owners plan to utilize the space for educational experiences, and will also roll out a subscription service for those who live or work in the neighborhood.

Adair Kitchen

Both locations (West U and Uptown) of this family-friendly fave will offer apple-cider donuts beginning Monday, Sept. 25! They’ll cost just $8 for a dozen. Sweet!

Arnaldo Richards' Picos

Pumpkin cheesecake at Picos

Pumpkin-spiced churros? Say no more. Arnaldo Richards’ Picos has those on offer, plus pumpkin cheesecake topped with bourbon-drenched sour cream. Craving something seasonally savory instead? Try the new beef and pork meatballs al chipotle, stuffed with hard-boiled eggs.

Marmo

Ricotta gnocchi at Marmo (photo by Kirsten Gilliam)

The handmade ricotta gnocchi — with confit rabbit, heirloom tomatoes, local peppers and butter-sage sauce — at Marmo is the cozy, indulgent meal you didn’t know you needed (even if it is still 100 degrees outside). Also try the new smoked-corn agnolotti with braised short-rib ragu.

Kolache Shoppe

Kolache Shoppe's monthly special made with Roostar's Vietnamese pork bao filling (photo by Sabrina Miskelly)

Open since Labor Day Weekend, Kolache Shoppe’s newest outpost in Pearland’s Broadway Plaza will officially celebrate with grand-opening festivities Oct. 3-8 (think daily specials like free coffee, free kolaches and BOGO deals). The new café, complete with a drive-through window, has a pear-shaped mural on a wall inside, and offers the same two-dozen “Czech-inspired, Texas-influenced” sweet, savory and breakfast-style kolaches.

Burger Chan

Sherman Yeung's baked pork chop over rice

Cult-followed Burger-Chan is teaming up with Money Cat chef Sherman Yeung for the latest iteration of its Anti-Burger Club pop-up: On Sunday, Sept. 24, at Money Cat in Upper Kirby, menu items like char siu, baked pork-chop rice, and a Cantonese egg tart will be available from 4pm until sold out.

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