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    Borgo goes bye-bye

    River Oaks restaurant freshens up with new name and bold Italian flavors

    Eric Sandler
    Feb 12, 2019 | 10:26 am
    Mina Ristorante Monica Fallone Luis Mancera
    Luis Mancera and Monica Fallone are transforming Borgo into Mina.
    Photo by Leah Wilson Photography

    The trend of Houston restaurants changing concepts shows no signs of slowing down — and even to-go spots are jumping on the bandwagon. Borgo Food Station, a concept known for its ready-to-eat healthy meals, will soon give way to Mina Ristorante, owners Monica Fallone and Luis Mancera announced.

    "Our customers were always requesting to enjoy their favorite dishes at Borgo instead of taking them home, so we added a few tables and chairs and then actual silverware," Mancera says in response to CultureMap's request for comment about the decision. "We wanted to give our customers what they were asking for so we decided to turn it into Mina Ristorante, where they can sit and enjoy our food in a dining room."

    As its name implies, Mina Ristorante will serve Italian fare inspired by its owners' families. The husband-and-wife duo, owners of restaurants in both in Miami and Caracas prior to moving to Houston, have created a menu centered around many of the Italian dishes that had been popular at Borgo, ranging from antipasti and housemade pastas to "comfort classic entrees" and desserts. Menu items include burrata with baby tomatoes, lasagna bolognese, shrimp with spicy tomato sauce, and Colombian trout with Sicilian almond butter; the restaurant will continue to serve lunch favorites from the Borgo menu like the turkey and Swiss on cranberry and pecan bread and the chicken Cobb croissant. A selection of both natural and traditional wines will complement the dishes.

    “Together, our restaurant experience spans three continents and thirty years” Mancera said in a statement. “Both Monica and I were raised in families where everything revolved around the kitchen...We want to inspire through food and spark a sense of community with every meal, every glass of wine, and each bite of panna cotta.”

    Borgo will shutter later this month to allow for the transformation into Mina to begin. Fallone and Mancera recruited local designer Erin Hicks (Helen, Pax Americana) to create a look that will include stone countertops, dark walnut tabletops, and aubergine and brass accents. If all goes according to plan, the space will reopen in April with its new look, new menu, and new name.

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    East Coast-inspired tavern shakes up Rice Village with 'World's Coldest Martini'

    Eric Sandler
    May 19, 2025 | 9:09 am
    Hudson House restaurant Rice Village
    Photo by Becca Wright
    Hudson House is bringing its signature martinis to Rice Village.

    The “World’s Coldest Martini” is coming to Rice Village. Hudson House will open its second Houston-area location this Wednesday, May 21.

    Located between CB2 and Banana Republic at 2414 University Blvd., Hudson House is part of the Dallas-based Vandelay Hospitality Group that also includes Drake’s Hollywood, a retro-styled steakhouse that opened in Montrose last summer. For Rice Village, Hudson House’s new, 6,000-square-foot restaurant follows the model of the River Oaks location that opened in 2023. That means navy leather booths, brass accents, and a polished wood bar that serves as a focal point.

    The menu takes its inspiration from East Coast taverns. That includes items such as a cheeseburger, lobster roll, lobster mac and cheese, steak frites, entree salads, and chicken parm. Raw bar offerings include East Coast oysters, shrimp cocktail, and sushi rolls. The brunch menu features pancakes, eggs Benedict, and a bagel with lox and cream cheese.

    Hudson House pairs its dishes with a selection of classic cocktails that is highlighted by the “World’s Coldest Martini.” To achieve the proper effect, the drink is poured from a frozen bottle and served in a frozen glass. Other martini options include the Bleu & Gold (made with olive juice and blue cheese-stuffed olives) and a Lemon Drop that’s topped with limoncello foam. Hudson House also offers wines by-the-glass, beer, and non-alcoholic options.

    Hudson House opens at 11 am for lunch and dinner during the weekend and at 10 am on Saturday and Sunday for brunch. Happy hour, served Monday-Friday from 3-6 pm, includes half-off all martinis, bellinis, and wines by-the-glass as well as $10 cheeseburgers and $3 East Coast oysters.

    “We’re looking forward to bringing a second Hudson House to Houston,” Vandelay founder and CEO Hunter Pond said in a statement. “Our River Oaks location has seen strong support since opening just over a year ago, and we’re confident Rice Village will follow suit. With its already vibrant community and bustling shopping scene, Rice Village offers an ideal background for our beloved coastal-inspired American cuisine.”

    Hudson House restaurant Rice Village
      

    Photo by Becca Wright

    Hudson House is bringing its signature martinis to Rice Village.

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