Editor's note: It's time to look back at the 5 hottest Houston headlines of the week. The first full week of 2025 was full of major restaurant news, from a star chef breaking his silence to a high-profile sushi restaurant closure and a massive celebrity tip. Here are CultureMap's most popular stories of the week. And for the best things to do in Houston this weekend, go here.

1. Houston chef breaks his silence on sudden exit from Woodlands restaurant. Chef Austin Simmons broke his silence about his sudden departure from Tris, the fine dining restaurant in The Woodlands that closed following his resignation, with an exclusive statement to CultureMap.

2. Another Houston dive bar lives on thanks to Anvil owner Bobby Heugel. Bobby Heugel has added another neighborhood bar to his roster of preservation projects. He and partner Peter Jahnke recently acquired the Blue Lagoon Club, a bar in Spring Branch that’s been in business for more than 40 years.

3. Luxurious Houston steak and sushi restaurant suddenly shutters. An inner loop restaurant known for its steak and sushi has served its last nigiri. Roka Akor’s Houston location has closed its doors.

Roka Akor has closed. Courtesy photo

4. Iconic Houston cocktail bar brings back happy hour for first time in 5 years. Happy hour is back at Anvil. Anvil now opens at 2 pm instead of 4 pm, with happy hour offerings for the first time since 2020.

5. Post Malone shocks Houston bartender with 'life-changing' $20,000 tip. Music superstar Post Malone helped one Houston hospitality worker have a very Merry Christmas when he left a $20,000 tip during a visit to The Railyard, a neighborhood bar near River Oaks.