• Home
  • popular
  • EVENTS
  • submit-new-event
  • CHARITY GUIDE
  • Children
  • Education
  • Health
  • Veterans
  • Social Services
  • Arts + Culture
  • Animals
  • LGBTQ
  • New Charity
  • TRENDING NEWS
  • News
  • City Life
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Home + Design
  • Travel
  • Real Estate
  • Restaurants + Bars
  • Arts
  • Society
  • Innovation
  • Fashion + Beauty
  • subscribe
  • about
  • series
  • Embracing Your Inner Cowboy
  • Green Living
  • Summer Fun
  • Real Estate Confidential
  • RX In the City
  • State of the Arts
  • Fall For Fashion
  • Cai's Odyssey
  • Comforts of Home
  • Good Eats
  • Holiday Gift Guide 2010
  • Holiday Gift Guide 2
  • Good Eats 2
  • HMNS Pirates
  • The Future of Houston
  • We Heart Hou 2
  • Music Inspires
  • True Grit
  • Hoops City
  • Green Living 2011
  • Cruizin for a Cure
  • Summer Fun 2011
  • Just Beat It
  • Real Estate 2011
  • Shelby on the Seine
  • Rx in the City 2011
  • Entrepreneur Video Series
  • Going Wild Zoo
  • State of the Arts 2011
  • Fall for Fashion 2011
  • Elaine Turner 2011
  • Comforts of Home 2011
  • King Tut
  • Chevy Girls
  • Good Eats 2011
  • Ready to Jingle
  • Houston at 175
  • The Love Month
  • Clifford on The Catwalk Htx
  • Let's Go Rodeo 2012
  • King's Harbor
  • FotoFest 2012
  • City Centre
  • Hidden Houston
  • Green Living 2012
  • Summer Fun 2012
  • Bookmark
  • 1987: The year that changed Houston
  • Best of Everything 2012
  • Real Estate 2012
  • Rx in the City 2012
  • Lost Pines Road Trip Houston
  • London Dreams
  • State of the Arts 2012
  • HTX Fall For Fashion 2012
  • HTX Good Eats 2012
  • HTX Contemporary Arts 2012
  • HCC 2012
  • Dine to Donate
  • Tasting Room
  • HTX Comforts of Home 2012
  • Charming Charlie
  • Asia Society
  • HTX Ready to Jingle 2012
  • HTX Mistletoe on the go
  • HTX Sun and Ski
  • HTX Cars in Lifestyle
  • HTX New Beginnings
  • HTX Wonderful Weddings
  • HTX Clifford on the Catwalk 2013
  • Zadok Sparkle into Spring
  • HTX Let's Go Rodeo 2013
  • HCC Passion for Fashion
  • BCAF 2013
  • HTX Best of 2013
  • HTX City Centre 2013
  • HTX Real Estate 2013
  • HTX France 2013
  • Driving in Style
  • HTX Island Time
  • HTX Super Season 2013
  • HTX Music Scene 2013
  • HTX Clifford on the Catwalk 2013 2
  • HTX Baker Institute
  • HTX Comforts of Home 2013
  • Mothers Day Gift Guide 2021 Houston
  • Staying Ahead of the Game
  • Wrangler Houston
  • First-time Homebuyers Guide Houston 2021
  • Visit Frisco Houston
  • promoted
  • eventdetail
  • Greystar Novel River Oaks
  • Thirdhome Go Houston
  • Dogfish Head Houston
  • LovBe Houston
  • Claire St Amant podcast Houston
  • The Listing Firm Houston
  • South Padre Houston
  • NextGen Real Estate Houston
  • Pioneer Houston
  • Collaborative for Children
  • Decorum
  • Bold Rock Cider
  • Nasher Houston
  • Houston Tastemaker Awards 2021
  • CityNorth
  • Urban Office
  • Villa Cotton
  • Luck Springs Houston
  • EightyTwo
  • Rectanglo.com
  • Silver Eagle Karbach
  • Mirador Group
  • Nirmanz
  • Bandera Houston
  • Milan Laser
  • Lafayette Travel
  • Highland Park Village Houston
  • Proximo Spirits
  • Douglas Elliman Harris Benson
  • Original ChopShop
  • Bordeaux Houston
  • Strike Marketing
  • Rice Village Gift Guide 2021
  • Downtown District
  • Broadstone Memorial Park
  • Gift Guide
  • Music Lane
  • Blue Circle Foods
  • Houston Tastemaker Awards 2022
  • True Rest
  • Lone Star Sports
  • Silver Eagle Hard Soda
  • Modelo recipes
  • Modelo Fighting Spirit
  • Athletic Brewing
  • Rodeo Houston
  • Silver Eagle Bud Light Next
  • Waco CVB
  • EnerGenie
  • HLSR Wine Committee
  • All Hands
  • El Paso
  • Avenida Houston
  • Visit Lubbock Houston
  • JW Marriott San Antonio
  • Silver Eagle Tupps
  • Space Center Houston
  • Central Market Houston
  • Boulevard Realty
  • Travel Texas Houston
  • Alliantgroup
  • Golf Live
  • DC Partners
  • Under the Influencer
  • Blossom Hotel
  • San Marcos Houston
  • Photo Essay: Holiday Gift Guide 2009
  • We Heart Hou
  • Walker House
  • HTX Good Eats 2013
  • HTX Ready to Jingle 2013
  • HTX Culture Motive
  • HTX Auto Awards
  • HTX Ski Magic
  • HTX Wonderful Weddings 2014
  • HTX Texas Traveler
  • HTX Cifford on the Catwalk 2014
  • HTX United Way 2014
  • HTX Up to Speed
  • HTX Rodeo 2014
  • HTX City Centre 2014
  • HTX Dos Equis
  • HTX Tastemakers 2014
  • HTX Reliant
  • HTX Houston Symphony
  • HTX Trailblazers
  • HTX_RealEstateConfidential_2014
  • HTX_IW_Marks_FashionSeries
  • HTX_Green_Street
  • Dating 101
  • HTX_Clifford_on_the_Catwalk_2014
  • FIVE CultureMap 5th Birthday Bash
  • HTX Clifford on the Catwalk 2014 TEST
  • HTX Texans
  • Bergner and Johnson
  • HTX Good Eats 2014
  • United Way 2014-15_Single Promoted Articles
  • Holiday Pop Up Shop Houston
  • Where to Eat Houston
  • Copious Row Single Promoted Articles
  • HTX Ready to Jingle 2014
  • htx woodford reserve manhattans
  • Zadok Swiss Watches
  • HTX Wonderful Weddings 2015
  • HTX Charity Challenge 2015
  • United Way Helpline Promoted Article
  • Boulevard Realty
  • Fusion Academy Promoted Article
  • Clifford on the Catwalk Fall 2015
  • United Way Book Power Promoted Article
  • Jameson HTX
  • Primavera 2015
  • Promenade Place
  • Hotel Galvez
  • Tremont House
  • HTX Tastemakers 2015
  • HTX Digital Graffiti/Alys Beach
  • MD Anderson Breast Cancer Promoted Article
  • HTX RealEstateConfidential 2015
  • HTX Vargos on the Lake
  • Omni Hotel HTX
  • Undies for Everyone
  • Reliant Bright Ideas Houston
  • 2015 Houston Stylemaker
  • HTX Renewable You
  • Urban Flats Builder
  • Urban Flats Builder
  • HTX New York Fashion Week spring 2016
  • Kyrie Massage
  • Red Bull Flying Bach
  • Hotze Health and Wellness
  • ReadFest 2015
  • Alzheimer's Promoted Article
  • Formula 1 Giveaway
  • Professional Skin Treatments by NuMe Express

    CultureMap Exclusive

    A ripoff pizza chain too? Restaurant owner sued by Torchy's Tacos for stealing secrets, sued by pizzeria

    Eric Sandler
    Nov 7, 2013 | 11:41 am

    There may be a serial restaurant food copier on the loose.

    Of course, Austin-based Torchy's Tacos is suing the Texas Taco Company for theft of trade secrets, specifically the company's "Taco Bible" that contains recipe and presentation instructions. CultureMap was first to report on the that lawsuit. But it turns out that just may be the start.

    CultureMap has learned that Texas Taco Company co-owner Adrian Hembree also has been accused of a similar act by Anthony Russo of locally-based chain Russo's NY Pizzeria.

    NY Pizzeria hired a private investigator who got a job at Gina's.

    According to a lawsuit filed in Federal Court, Russo accuses Hembree and his partners, including Ravinder Syal, of stealing manuals and other documents from NY Pizzeria to create a new company called Gina's Italian Kitchen. Hembree was both a one-time employee and franchisee of NY Pizzeria, where he had access to training manuals, ordering information, plating instructions and other documents that NY Pizzeria considers to be "trade secrets."

    NY Pizzeria had previously filed a suit against Hembree that was settled, but the new suit alleges that Hembree violated the settlement agreement and redisclosed the trade secrets to Gina's.

    The lawsuit alleges that Hembree provided those materials to Gina's former CEO Phil Rich and told him to use them because they were "proven." These include the base recipes for Gina's tomato sauce, meat sauce and pizza dough. The pleading calls the extent to which Gina's uses the same ingredients that NY Pizzeria does "mind numbing" and notes that Gina's orders certain ingredients that NY Pizzeria specifically asked distributor Roma's Performance Food to carry.

    According to the lawsuit, "fifty percent of the items Gina’s Italian Kitchen purchased from Roma’s Performance Foods in September and November 2012, were identical to items ordered by NYPI, right down to the brand of plastic gloves and cleaning solvents used."

    NY Pizzeria hired a private investigator who got a job at Gina's Friendswood location and reported back to NY Pizzeria on its business practices.

    "During his work there he observed Defendants and Gina’s employees using NYPI’s Trade Secrets to prepare and serve food, to train new employees, and to operate the restaurants," the pleading states.

    NY Pizzeria's auditor also posed as a potential Gina's franchisee and met with Nicola Notaricola, a former NY Pizzeria franchisee who had signed on with Gina's. In a taped conversation with Notaricola, he admits "that the pizza recipes being used by Gina’s were 100%-90% NYPI’s recipes, and that about 30%-40% of the other recipes were NYPI’s."

    The suit's final allegation is that Gina's representatives approached NY Pizzeria franchisees about become Gina's franchises instead on more favorable terms than they pay NY Pizzeria. Gina's could do so, according to the pleading, because "the Syal Defendants (aka Gina's), not having had to expend the time, effort and money developing a successful franchise business could pass those savings on to the franchisee by offering the franchisee a greater share of the profits."

    To sum up, NY Pizzeria alleges that Gina's stole its secrets (recipes, training manuals, plating techniques, etc), used them to form a new company and admitted it when questioned in undercover stings. In a response to NY Pizzeria's complaint, Gina's categorically denies all of the allegations. It will be up to a jury to determine who's telling the truth.

    NY Pizzeria's attorney Joseph Lanza declined to comment on the specifics of the case and referred to the pleading. CultureMap contacted Adrian Hembree for comment but had yet to receive a reply.

    Russo's NY Pizzeria has accused Gina's Italian Kitchen of stealing its trade secrets.

    Gina's Italian Kitchen Friendswood location
      
    Gina's Italian Kitchen-Friendswood Facebook
    Russo's NY Pizzeria has accused Gina's Italian Kitchen of stealing its trade secrets.
    unspecified
    news/restaurants-bars

    most read posts

    Winner of Ren Fest lawsuit plans to keep the event mostly unchanged

    4 fresh new restaurants now open in suburban Houston

    Massive, German-inspired beer garden coming to new Energy Corridor project

    so succulent

    Houston's new Napa Valley-inspired restaurant sets opening date

    Eric Sandler
    May 15, 2025 | 10:04 am
    Succulent Fine Dining food spread
    Courtesy of Succulent Fine Dining
    Succulent Fine Dining's menu takes inspiration from California.

    A new wine-fueled, California-inspired restaurant is ready to make its debut. Succulent Fine Dining will open this Monday, May 19.

    Located in the former Pastore space in the Regent Square mixed-use development, Succulent Fine Dining is the latest project from Houston restaurateur Shawn Virene, the mastermind behind champagne-fueled River Oaks restaurant a’Bouzy. Working with executive chef David Buckley, Virene intends for Succulent to take inspiration from California’s Napa Valley with dishes that utilize ingredients from both Texas farms and those on the West Coast — such as the Hope Farms Kale salad that references the South Houston urban farm operated by local nonprofit Recipe for Success.

    “Succulent will be so much more than a restaurant — it’s a destination where food, design, and the culture of the vineyards come together,” Virene said in a statement. “I’ve dreamed of creating a space that reflects my love for the land and the laid-back elegance of Napa Valley dining. Succulent is personal — it’s gracious, warm, and deeply connected to nature.”

    Meals at Succulent could begin with caviar-topped deviled eggs, chicken liver mousse in pani puri, or a caramelized onion tart that’s Buckley’s riff on French onion soup. From there, the options include roasted chicken in preserved lemon beurre blanc, seared scallops with blue corn and brown butter dashi, and steak frites made with hanger steak that’s topped with salsa verde. Seafood options will include Gulf fish caught under Virene’s commercial fishing license such as snapper, cobia, and amberjack. Buckley is also adding seasonal touches with vegetable-based dishes.

    “The carrot gnocchi was developed when looking at seasonal spring vegetables,” the chef said. “We are using the carrot in place of a potato for an orange color.”

    “Succulent” doesn’t just apply to the food. Virene has carefully grown dozens of plants that are a prominent part of the restaurant’s decor.

    “I’ve been delving into horticulture,” Virene said on CultureMap’s “What’s Eric Eating” podcast. “I’m a pretty good propagator. I can take ‘em and break ‘em down and end up with a bunch more. I know what will grow well in Houston. They’re cute and pretty and kind of trendy right now.”

    Beyond adding plant life, Virene has made a number of upgrades to the space. Most notably, Succulent will utilize the building’s rooftop patio. Diners will find pergolas and greenery to provide shade, a dedicated bar for the second floor, and vintage greenhouses that can host private events. Downstairs is now home to a private dining room as well as a chef’s table with a view of the kitchen. An herb garden will

    Just like a’Bouzy, Succulent will be open for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. Its to-go options will include picnic baskets that may be consumed at Regent Square’s green space or at nearby Buffalo Bayou Park.

    Succulent Fine Dining food spread
      

    Courtesy of Succulent Fine Dining

    Succulent Fine Dining's menu takes inspiration from California.

    news-you-can-eatopeningssucculent fine dining
    news/restaurants-bars

    most read posts

    Winner of Ren Fest lawsuit plans to keep the event mostly unchanged

    4 fresh new restaurants now open in suburban Houston

    Massive, German-inspired beer garden coming to new Energy Corridor project

    Loading...