Don't Panic

Top Houston restaurant unexpectedly closes, but it's only temporary

Don't worry. Hugo's will return on Friday.

Photo by Eric Sandler

Hugo's, the Montrose restaurant devoted to interior Mexican cuisine, occupies a special place in Houston's culinary firmament. Not only has it received national acclaim — it's the city's only restaurant on Eater's list of America's best restaurants — but it is utterly reliable, open for lunch or brunch and dinner every day, which is rare for a restaurant of its quality.

Needless to say, when an eagle-eyed CultureMap reader noticed the restaurant was dark on Wednesday night, it induced a certain amount of panic. "Sign on the door at Hugo's this afternoon says 'closed until further notice.' WTF???," the reader wanted to know.

With Hugo's various social media platforms silent on the unexpected closure, CultureMap contacted Tracy Vaught, who owns and operates the restaurant with her husband, executive chef Hugo Ortega, to ask "WTF" but it a more polite form.

"We are tiling the kitchen. It needed it badly," Vaught replied in an email. "We will be moving equipment in tomorrow and reopening on Friday. Not sure if it will be lunch or dinner. No worries."

In other words, everybody r-e-l-a-x. Signature dishes like cochinita pibil, chapulines, and pan-roasted cauliflower will all return by the weekend. The restaurant's fans won't even miss out on a week of Sunday brunch.

In the meantime, the truly impatient can satisfy a craving for Ortega's food at Caracol. The slightly more patient can anticipate the day when Xochi, Ortega's restaurant dedicated to Oaxacan cuisine, makes its debut in the newly opened Marriott Marquis.

news-you-can-eat

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.