Moo Allen Center

Decadent California-based sandwich and salad shop opens second downtown location

Mendocino Farms will open its second downtown location next week.

Photo courtesy of Mendocino Farms

California-based fast casual restaurant Mendocino Farms will open its fifth Houston-area location in downtown’s Two Allen Center on Tuesday, April 26. First announced in 2019, the opening represents the company’s commitment to downtown as workers return to their offices.

Founded by husband-and-wife duo Mario Del Pero and Ellen Chen, Mendocino Farms offers a seasonally inspired menu that utilizes locally sourced ingredients to make creative salad, sandwiches, bowls, and other healthy fare.

The menu includes dishes such as the newly introduced Thai Mango Salad — shaved, roasted chicken breast with ramen noodles, Napa cabbage and kale slaw, sliced mango, honey roasted almonds, pickled daikon and carrots, scallions, Thai basil, mint, cilantro, lime, and fried shallots with Thai almond dressing — or the signature “Not So Fried” Chicken Sandwich, made with shaved, roasted chicken breast, krispies, herb aioli, mustard pickle slaw, tomatoes, and pickled red onions on toasted ciabatta. Other popular dishes include the Avocado and Quinoa Superfood Ensalada, the Chimichurri Steak & Shishito Bowl, the farm club, and chicken pesto caprese.

To mark the grand opening, Mendocino Farms will transform itself into “Moo Allen Center.” Patrons can receive a free entree by downloading the company’s app and selecting “Houston-Two Allen Center” as their favorite location before opening day. It will also donate 50 percent of opening day sales to Bike MS and The National Multiple Sclerosis Society in support of Houstonians participating in the upcoming Texas MS 150.

“We are always looking to better serve our existing communities, and our Two Allen Center location was built with professionals in mind as more return to downtown,” CEO Kevin Miles said in a statement. “With our diverse menu satisfying any culinary craving, we look forward to welcoming Two Allen Center tenants to our new restaurant, whether they are grabbing a bite with coworkers, seeking a quick pick up or delivery option, or feeding a crowd with our catering spreads.”

Mendocino Farms opened its first Houston location in Rice Village in 2019. Its other locations are in Uptown Park, the M-K-T mixed-use development in the Heights, and downtown on Main Street.

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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.