Lulu's is here

Armandos owners' new Italian restaurant debuts in River Oaks

River Oaks's newest destination for classic Italian fare has made its debut. Lulu's is now open for lunch and dinner.

As CultureMap reported last year, Lulu's is the latest project from Armandos owners Cinda and Armando Palacios. Named for Armando's nickname for Cinda, the couple have brought an upgraded version of the Round Top-based restaurant to the same River Oaks shopping center as Armandos.

“The two most important things at Lulu’s are love and pasta," Cinda Palacios, CEO of Palacios Murphy Hospitality, said in a statement. "We wanted to create a space that celebrates the art of gathering — especially after the unprecedented year we had in the restaurant industry. Lulu’s is about simple but refined comfort food. Sharing space, good wine and enjoying each other.”

While its owners are fully capable of showing love to their diners, they hired executive Jose Monterrosa to assist with the pasta. The Guatamala-born chef brings extensive experience from Washington, D.C. and Georgia to his role, including a stint with James Beard Award winner Fabio Trabocchi.

Fans of the Round Top location will be pleased to see the restaurant's signature lobster ravioli and pasta carbonara on the River Oaks location's menu, but chef Monterrosa has also introduced a number of new options. They include bucatini all'amatriciana, spaghetti vongole, pappardelle bolognese, fusilli cacio e pepe, and a delicate ravioli al uovo.

Similarly, mains like braised short ribs, grilled branzino, and chicken marsala have received updated preparations compared to their Round Top counterparts. The menu also offers salads, starters, pizza, and dessert. Pair them with classic cocktails, three zero proof drinks, wines by-the-glass or bottle, or beer.

To transform the former Stone Mill Bakers space into Lulu's, Palacios Murphy retained New York-based architect Rocco DiLeo of RDstudio, inc. Tasked with recreating the charm of the original Round Top location's setting in a stone building that dates back to the late 1800s, DiLeo used repurposed tobacco wood on the ceiling and designed a bar that matches the original location's rustic appeal. In addition, found art from Round Top gives the space a vintage feel.

Currently, Lulu's is open for lunch and dinner daily beginning at 11:30 am. Weekday breakfast and weekend brunch are planned for the future.

Armando and Cinda Palacios.

Tootsies, Texas Lyme Disease, 6/16 Armando Palacios, Cinda Palacios

Armando and Cinda Palacios.

news-you-can-eat openings

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.