New Year, new restaurants

Vowing to lose weight or quit smoking is so 2009. This year make a resolution to venture out to some new restaurants. Here are a few new kids (and a couple old faves) to get you started:

• The Laurenzo family, heirs to Mama Ninfa and owners of the El Tiempo Cantinas, have branched out to a more refined American-Italian concept with Laurenzo's Grille on Washington Avenue. The focus is eclectic, with roasted prime rib and margaritas as specialties alongside burgers, sandwiches, and entrees like shrimp scampi, quesadillas, pork Finnocchi and chicken Napoli all in a swanky steakhouse atmosphere
• After 22 years of serving Chinese favorites in Rice Village, owners May and Eddie Chan have pulled up stakes and are about to open a brand-new Cafe Chino at Edloe street and the Southwest Freeway on Jan. 21. The new space, a colorful open room designed by Kathy Heard and OPEN Design, will be inaugurated with a grand opening bash from 5-7:30 p.m. to benefit the Shriners Hospitals for Children.
• Becks Prime, known for tasty burgers and big patios, just opened its 11th location in North Houston on FM 1960 at Perry street.
• Tucked into a quiet corner of Rice Village, Celebrity Cupcakes is quickly gaining a word-of-mouth following for having some of the best cupcakes in town. Simple flavors done well is the formula from this husband and wife team, with eight-nine options served Tuesdays through Sundays—faves chocolate, vanilla bean, and red velvet plus rotating options like hummingbird, banana and chocolate truffle.
• Chelsea Grill, in the former DNR Cafe spot on Montrose, may soon become a Museum District staple, with casual lunch fare like sandwiches, salads, pasta and entrees, plus a great shaded patio for enjoying the $25 bottomless brunch with an entree and endless Bloody Marys and mimosas.
• Babak and Shelley Elham's fourth "7" concept—as in District 7 Grill and Table 7 Bistro, both specializing in American bistro standards—has opened as Table Seven on Durham in the former Rare spot.
  
• Strip House is celebrating five sexy years in Houston with a special 5-course signature meal for $55. The dinner features favorites of lobster bisque cappuccino, grilled tomato and bufala mozzarella salad, seared sea scallops,filet mignon with black truffle creamed spinach and goose-fat potatoes, and the Strip House profiterole with espresso and chocolate ice creams.