Editor’s note: It’s been a busy couple of weeks in the world of Houston restaurants. Here’s eight things we think you should know.
Three openings
With the opening of Truck Yard, phase one of the East Village mixed-use complex is now complete. The Dallas-based bar features an expansive outdoor seating area — complete with Ferris wheel — along with cocktails (on draft or frozen), craft beer (draft, bottles, or cans), and cheesesteaks. A rotating selection of food trucks provide additional dining options. Open every day from 11 am to 2 am at 2118 Lamar St (right next to Rodeo Goat).
As a side note, an East Village representative confirms that the previously announced plans to open a vodka distillery at the property have been scuttled. The development's second phase will kick off when Agricole Hospitality opens its three new concepts later this summer.
Acclaimed Third Ward barbecue joint Ray’s Real Pit BBQ Shack opened its new location at 3929 Old Spanish Trail on May 11. The larger space offers lots of benefits to customers including more seating and better parking, as well as a larger kitchen. Of course, pitmaster Herb Taylor and co-owner Ray Busch won’t let anything change about the signature, all-wood smoked meats.
Malk Organics, a local purveyor of dairy-free nut milks, has united with Greenway Coffee to launch the Malk BevBar. Billed as Houston’s first plant-based beverage bar, the Malk BevBar will serve plant-based coffee, tea, and smoothies from within the Snap Kitchen location at 3600 Kirby Dr. Look for a hazelnut and maple pecan latte, non-caffeinated red velvet cashew latte, a plant-based butter coffee, and more.
Three closings
Schnitzel fans only have a couple more weeks to visit Charivari. Chef-owner Johann Schuster tells Houston Food Finder he’s decided to close the Midtown German restaurant after 18 years, but the restaurant’s fans shouldn’t despair too much. The chef is developing a more casual version of the concept for a new location. Details are TBA.
Fielding’s Rooster, the chicken-oriented siblings of popular Woodlands restaurants Fielding’s Wood Grill and Fielding’s Local Kitchen & Bar, closed on May 8. Only open since August 2017, the space is being converted into a catering and private events venue, the company announced on Facebook. Here’s hoping the restaurant’s best dishes — fried chicken, chicken liver mousse — find spots on other menus.
Galleria-area office workers may be stunned by the sudden shuttering of the Chick-fil-A at 5005 Richmond Ave. After all, an almost constant line of cars kept the drive-thru full. It wasn’t a lack of business that forced the closure, but rather METRO’s plans to bring dedicated bus lanes to Post Oak Boulevard. The State of Texas has initiated eminent domain proceedings against the entire shopping center, Swamplot reports, as part of the efforts to rebuild/transform the 59/610 interchange.
Beer news
After teasing the brew's release for the past week, Saint Arnold Brewing Company announced on Monday, May 14 that its jumping on the hazy IPA craze with a new beer called Not A Collaboration. Packaged to look quite a bit like the products from Brash Brewing Company (but definitely not a collaboration with Brash, obviously), the double dry hopped IPA uses Centennial, Citra and Hallertau Blanc hops to create flavors that the company describes as “an upfront citrus bomb with a mix of mango and juicy pineapple notes.” Thanks to a special arrangement with its distributor Silver Eagle, Not A Collaboration will be available on shelves and tap walls the same day it’s been packaged, ensuring drinkers will experience the freshest possible beer. Find the full list of day-of releases here.
BOGO burgers birthday bash
FM Kitchen & Bar will celebrate its first anniversary with buy-one, get-one FM Burgers ($5.89, limit two per customer) and $6 birthday cake shakes on Tuesday, May 15. The special is available from 11 am to close. In addition, FM Kitchen will keep the party going on May 19 with an FM Farmer’s Market from 11 am to 3 pm, live music from local band RUCKUS from 2 pm to 5 pm, and food and drink specials all day including $6 birthday cake shakes, $1 off burgers, and $5 off draft margaritas and watermelon mules.
Truck Yard has opened in EaDo.
