• 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

    10 things to know

    10 things to know in Houston food right now: Openings, closings, and steakhouse love

    Eric Sandler
    Dec 23, 2019 | 4:07 pm

    Editor’s note: Houston’s restaurant scene moves pretty fast. In order to prevent CultureMap readers from missing anything, let’s stop to look around at all the latest news to know.

    Openings, closings, and coming attractions

    One of Houston's most well-regarded French restaurants has served its last foie gras torchon. Energy Corridor favorite Le Mistral closed on Saturday December 21, Houston Food Finder reports. “After 18 years, we had a good run,” chef-owner David Denis tells the website.

    Houston’s newest Texadelphia has opened in Katy at 1321 N. Westgreen Blvd. This location features a second floor “sky bar” as well as a sports bar component that includes plenty of TVs for taking in all the games. Franchisee Summit Interests I, LP will also open another restaurant next year in the Memorial area as part of Moody National Development’s new project on the site of a former Toys R Us.

    Moku Bar has opened its location in The Heights at 2914 White Oak Dr. Formerly a vendor in the Conservatory food hall, the restaurant serves poke, tempura, udon, and musubi. Having its own space allows Moku Bar to offer sake as well.

    The Woodlands has a new option for fajitas and margaritas. El Tiempo Cocina, a franchised version of El Tiempo Cantina, is now open in the Indian Springs Center at 10777 Kuykendahl Rd.

    Owned by father and son Roland and Dominic Laurenzo, son and grandson of legendary Houston restaurant Ninfa Laurenzo, the restaurant serves an extensive menu of upscale Tex-Mex dishes. Judging by the raves in the Woodlands Area Foodies Facebook group for Sunday night’s soft opening, the restaurant is upholding the standards of its nine Houston-area siblings.

    Hubcap Grill will be coming to Pearland. Owner Ricky Craig has leased the former Big Humphrey Pizza space at 5627 Broadway for his sixth Houston-area location. Known for its creative combinations like the Muffaletta Burger and the Philly Cheesesteak Burger, the new Hubcap will open in early spring 2020, according to Craig’s Facebook post.

    A popular Dallas-based restaurant has selected Katy for its next Houston-area location. Gloria's Latin Cuisine will join the Katy Grand development in fall 2020, real estate developer NewQuest Properties announced. Known for its lively atmosphere with DJs on the weekend, Gloria's operates 20 locations across Texas.

    Upcoming events

    The sixth annual Truffle Masters event will feature over two dozen chefs serving decadent dishes. This year, the event will be held at downtown C. Baldwin hotel. Participants include Aaron Bludorn (formerly of Cafe Boulud), Austin Simmons (Tris), Drake Leonards (Eunice), Kiran Verma (Kiran’s), Luis Roger (BCN/MAD), and more. Tickets are discounted through January 2 — general admission, $155 (regularly $195); VIP, $255 (regularly $295); and patron VIP, $355 (regularly $395). A portion of the proceeds will benefit local non-profit Second Servings of Houston.

    Chef Fest returns for its fourth year on March 29, 2020. The event, which is devoted to spotlighting local ingredients, will feature 10 chefs, including Christine Ha (The Blind Goat), Brandon Silva (The Kirby Group), Erin Smith (Feges BBQ), and Sasha Grumman (Rosalie Italian Soul). Billed by organizers as “a full day of eating, drinking, dancing, farm tours, and hands-on experiences,” future attendees can take 25-perfect off tickets ($100) by using code CHEFFESTHOLIDAY through December 31.

    Off the map

    Houston remains one of the country’s top destinations for steak, according to two national publications. The Daily Meal ranks Pappas Bros. fourth on its list of America’s top 50 steakhouse, and Killen’s Steakhouse comes in eighth. The Robb Reportincludes both of those restaurants, as well as Georgia James, B&B Butchers, and the Denver location of Guard & Grace (its new Houston outpost just opened last month) on its list of the country’s top 25 steakhouses.

    Pappas Bros is among America's top steakhouses.

    Pappas Bros Steakhouse exterior
      
    Courtesy of Pappas Bros. Steakhouse
    Pappas Bros is among America's top steakhouses.
    tex-mexnews-you-can-eatthe-heightsopenings
    news/restaurants-bars

    here comes the sun

    Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr serves up a new pickleball bar in Midtown

    Eric Sandler
    Apr 28, 2025 | 9:00 am
    Solarium ​owners Lance McCullers Jr., Juan Carlos de Aldecoa, and Jimmy Doan
    Photo by Swiggard Creative
    Rex Hospitality partners Lance McCullers Jr., Juan Carlos de Aldecoa, and Jimmy Doan

    A new destination for cocktails, bar bites, and social gaming has arrived in Midtown. After a quiet soft opening this weekend, Solarium is now officially open for service daily.

    Located in the former Holman Draft Hall space, Solarium unites Rex Hospitality — the group behind Maven at Sawyer Yards that includes Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. as one of its founders — with the Kirby Group, the veteran bar operators behind Heights Bier Garten, Pitch 25, and more. Together, they’ve transformed Holman into a luxurious new sports bar built around pickleball.

    At the heart of the renovations is a glass-walled indoor/outdoor bar area — the eponymous solarium. It offers a range of seating options, including community tables for large groups and more intimate bar-height tables. Design details include velvet chairs and and an “earthy palette,” according to a release, that features “Rolex green” fabric.

    Next to the bar, patrons will find six outdoor courts — four pickleball and two padel. They’re available via reservation beginning at 9 am daily for rates that vary from $10 to $30 for pickleball and $20 to $40 for padel. An adjacent pro shop offers all the gear necessary to play either for rental or purchase.

    Surrounding the courts are five private rooms. Made from repurposed shipping containers, they offer glass walls with a view of the games, as well as servers who will bring food and drinks. These VIP-style suites are part of how Rex Hospitality and The Kirby Group aim to distinguish Solarium from other, similar pickleball bars that have been opening around the Houston area. That’s consistent with the company’s approach with Maven, which adds cocktails to the familiar coffee shop model.

    “Though the concept isn’t related to Maven in a direct way, it is in in line with the Rex vision and the ethos of Maven an indirect way,” Rex Hospitality president Nina Quincy tells CultureMap. “It is a unique take on a common pastime. We have taken something and added a unique and elevated twist, so in that sense I think it meshes well with the overall Rex vision and shares a similar ethos with Maven.”

    A menu created by Rex Hospitality culinary director Nico Baizán features takes on familiar pub fare such as burgers, po’ boys, skewers, wings, and “bang bang” shrimp. At brunch, the bar’s menu includes pancakes, shrimp and grits, and shakshuka. Dessert options include a banana split and a build-your-own sundae.

    Pair them with cocktails, beer, wine, or nonalcoholic sips. Brunch cocktails include mimosas and spritzes.

    The bar and restaurant opens at 11 am Monday-Friday and at 10 am on weekends.

    Solarium \u200bowners Lance McCullers Jr., Juan Carlos de Aldecoa, and Jimmy Doan
      

    Photo by Swiggard Creative

    Rex Hospitality partners Lance McCullers Jr., Juan Carlos de Aldecoa, and Jimmy Doan

    news-you-can-eatopeningspickleballsolariummidtown
    news/restaurants-bars
    Loading...