Hot Headlines

Big downtown Houston bar closure leads our 5 most popular stories

The doors are locked at El Big Bad.

Photo by © Julie Soefer Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau

Editor's note: It's time to look back at the top Houston news of the week. There are two high-profile Houston closures, as well as a Top Chef contestant popping back into town. Plus, romantic dining ideas for Valentine's Day. Read the five hottest Houston headlines of the week below, then find some fun things to do this weekend right here.

1. Rent dispute prompts closure of downtown Houston tequila and taco bar. An essential downtown destination for tacos and tequila has quietly closed its doors — for now. El Big Bad was locked out of its space in mid-January, with a notice posted to the door citing nonpayment of rent as the reason why the landlord has taken possession of the space.

2. Innovative Houston Japanese restaurant closes after only 2 years. One of Houston’s most innovative Japanese restaurants has closed its doors after only two years in business. Money Cat in Upper Kirby has served its last meal, chef-owner Sherman Yeung says.

3. Top Chef contestant reintroduces himself to Houston at new pop-up dinner series. As part of the process of opening BuBoy, a tasting menu restaurant inspired by Afro-Caribbean culinary traditions, chef Tristen Epps will host pop-up dinners throughout February at Jūn in the Heights.

Tristen Epps Top Chef Chef Tristen Epps is appearing on Top Chef and popping up in Houston with a dining series. Photo by Marcus Nilsson/Bravo

4. Houston family dishes on life after Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. In late January, viewers tuned in to Extreme Makeover: Home Edition to watch a deserving Houston-area family receive a brand-new home. CultureMap spoke to recipients Regina and Maurice Elrod to find out more about the family, their experience on the show, and what really happens when the cameras stop rolling.

5. More than 20 Houston restaurants serving romantic Valentine's Day meals. Love is in the air across the city. Whether couples are looking for romance and fun, or gal pals are seeking a spot for a Galentine's bash, restaurants all over Houston have something for everyone celebrating Valentine's Day.

CityCentre's Staycation Destination

Freshly-renovated Houston hotel shows off new rooms and restaurant

Courtesy of The Moran CityCentre

The Moran CityCentre has undergone a multi-million-dollar renovation.

The Moran Hotel in Houston’s CityCentre is sporting a multi-million-dollar makeover courtesy of Midway, a real estate investment and development firm.

“Our visitors desired an elevated experience with expanded dining concepts and social spaces along with contemporary finishes and amenities,” Steven Terrebonne, Moran’s general manager, said in a statement. “We look forward to hosting business travelers, leisure seekers, and locals as they experience our reimagined property.”

This was the first overhaul of the property that opened in 2009 as the Hotel Sorella. It was renamed the Moran Hotel in 2019. Renovations, first announced last year, have added a new bar and restaurant to CityCentre’s offerings. The Allegory Bar is now open to the public and features traditional bar and lounge seating, along with an adjacent, covered terrace that overlooks the central plaza.

Patrons can take advantage of happy hour from 4-6 pm., Monday through Friday, or indulge in the Alamo elixir, a $200 experience for six people featuring Mijento Blanco tequila, Casamigos Mezcal, and a bottle of sparkling rose. Entrees such as a coffee-rubbed cowboy ribeye ($70) and Gulf Coast shrimp ($32), can be found on the menu, along with a brisket grilled cheese ($21) and a cast iron chocolate chip cookie ($15).

At Cafe Moran, breakfast is served daily, with brunch on Sundays. Diners will find two buffet options alongside standards like frittatas, avocado toast, and pastries.

“With the newly enhanced property we wanted to create a space that appealed to both travelers and visitors alike,” Bo Sanford of Midway said. “We are continuously creating a dynamic and curated environment of retail, office, and hotel offerings that strengthen CityCentre.”

The hotel’s 244 guestrooms have received updated furnishings and lighting, premium bedding, and upgraded technology. Patrons will discover special touches such as a bar cart stocked with Texas-based liquors, snacks, and Illy coffee service. Custom toiletries, robes, and handheld steamers add to the guest experience.

Guests can also enjoy the amenities of an outdoor pool and fitness center, including a cross-partnership with the neighboring Life Time Athletic Club, providing access to the gym and spa.

The transformation stretches to the hotel’s meeting spaces, such as the renamed Pecos Junior Ballroom. The space can accommodate up to 180 attendees, with a granite and marble-finished bar and catering kitchen. The ballroom’s floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the pool, which can also be reserved.

Courtesy of The Moran CityCentre

The Moran CityCentre has undergone a multi-million-dollar renovation.