Hyped New Pizza Spot

Dallas' best pizza restaurant is coming to Houston's hottest neighborhood: Guy Fieri blessed spot brings plenty of buzz

An announcement today may squash any further debate about whether The Heights is Houston's hottest dining neighborhood of 2015. Cane Rosso — the Dallas-based, critically acclaimed, Neapolitan pizza restaurant — is coming to The Heights.

"We’ve been wanting to get after this for a long time, but we had a lot going on," owner Jay Jerrier tells CultureMap. "We’ve had so many stops and starts about so many different locations in Houston, but we were finally able to string it together."

Since Jerrier founded Cane Rosso in 2011, the restaurant has taken Dallas by storm — earning international acclaim for its rigorously authentic, VPN-certified pizza that uses high quality, locally-sourced toppings. The Houston location will be the fifth outpost in Cane Rosso's growing empire.

"I have friends who live down in Houston. They said the Heights is definitely where you want to be."

After touring various neighborhoods throughout Houston, Jerrier settled on a 4,000 square feet space at 1835 N. Shepherd that will put him within walking distance of Hunky Dory, Bernadine's, Southern Goods, Ka Sushi, Hugs & Donuts and Fat Cat Creamery. "That’s a bonus for us that there’s donuts and ice cream across the street," Jerrier says with a laugh.

"I have friends who live down in Houston. They said the Heights is definitely where you want to be," Jerrier adds.

If all goes according to plan, Cane Rosso will begin construction in July or August with an eye towards a December opening. Of course, the usual caveats about receiving permits in a timely fashion applies.

Recently, Jerrier sampled pizza at several Houston restaurants, including Weights + Measures, Provisions and Pizaro's, the most direct competitor for Cane Rosso.

"There’s good pizza (in Houston). There wasn’t any awful pizza. It’s all really different than what we do," Jerrier says of his scouting expedition. "Houston’s a pretty sophisticated food city. I think we’ll find a lot of people who like it. I think it’ll be a good fit. There wasn’t a ton of real Neapolitan pizza down there. Most of the pizza we had was crispier than ours."

Odds are that people will like it. Cane Rosso has received just about every honor imaginable, from a visit by Guy Fieri to being ranked as some of the best pizza in America.

Will Houston also see a location of Zoli's, the New York-style pizza restaurant that Jerrier describes as being "for people who hate Cane Rosso?

"You never know," Jerrier replies.

Cane Rosso is known for its rigorously authentic Neapolitan pizza.

Pizza at Cane Rosso restaurant in Dallas

Cane Rosso Facebook

Cane Rosso is known for its rigorously authentic Neapolitan pizza.

unspecified

there's the rub

Restaurant known for 'new Houston cuisine' now open in Cypress

Courtesy of Jonathan's the Rub

Jonathan's the Rub serves steaks and other dishes.

A restaurant known for its eclectic “new Houston cuisine” has opened in Cypress. The fourth location of Jonathan’s the Rub is now open for dinner in Bridgeland (20215 Bridgeland Creek Parkway).

First announced last year, the new Jonathan’s is located in Village Green, a 70-acre mixed-use development within the 925-acre Bridgeland Central district. The 5,500-square-foot restaurant includes two patios totaling 2,600 square feet, giving the restaurant plenty of room for private dining rooms, a bar area, and indoor-outdoor areas with fire pits and greenery.

“We were looking for the next frontier — a community with a booming population and a clear vision for growth that aligns with our brand,” chef-owner Jonathan Levine said in a statement. “When we discovered Bridgeland and learned it was a Howard Hughes development, we were immediately impressed. With their reputation for developing generational communities, we felt confident that Bridgeland was the right place for our family and for Jonathan’s the Rub.”

Like Jonathan’s three other locations, the menu at Bridgeland is built around Levine’s signature “new Houston cuisine,” a kicked-up take on comfort food that includes everything from lobster tacos and blackened shrimp and grits to Italian American classics and steakhouse fare.

Village Green is also home to H-E-B and restaurants such as Sweet Paris Crêperie & Café and Crust Pizza Co. Austin-based burger joint P. Terry’s will open there next year.

“Jonathan’s the Rub’s arrival in Bridgeland Central brings a distinguished addition to the culinary scene in both the community and northwest Houston,” said Jim Carman, president of the Texas region, for Bridgeland developer Howard Hughes Communities. “We’re proud to partner with exceptional restaurateurs like Chef Jonathan Levine to bring elevated dining experiences that enhance the lifestyle offerings for our residents and neighbors.”

Courtesy of Jonathan's the Rub

Jonathan's the Rub serves steaks and other dishes.