Editor's note: Houston’s restaurant scene moves pretty fast. In order to prevent CultureMap readers from missing anything, let’s stop to look around at all the latest news to know.
Openings, closings, and coming attractions
Politan Row has officially confirmed that it will open a food hall in Rice Village this fall. The 7,350-square-foot center, which will be located at the intersection of Times and Kelvin, will feature 10 food vendors, a coffee shop, and a cocktail bar. Chefs interested in applying to become one of them should fill out this form on the Politan Row website.
Turkey Leg Hut is known for both its delicious turkey legs and the long wait to obtain one, but owners Lynn and Nakia Price are doing their part to speed things up. They’ve opened a food trailer, dubbed TLH Express, that parks one block away from the restaurant at 4902 Almeda Rd. to serve to-go orders. It’s open daily from 11 am to 7 pm.
The owners of The Grove Do-nutz & Deli have launched a new breakfast concept in Sugar Land. Toast offers a full range of breakfast favorites, including pancakes, specialty toasts, croissant doughnuts, build-your-own omelets, and more. Lunch options include burgers, sandwiches, bone-in wings, and Vietnamese dishes, such as shaking beef salad. It’s open daily from 7 am to 3 pm at The Crossing at Telfair (300 Promenade Way).
The Woodlands will soon be home to a new Italian restaurant. Set to open in mid-July, Radunare Italian American Table (2520 Research Forest Dr., Ste. 500) takes its inspiration from recipes created by owner Dr. Frank Morello’s family. Open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the menu features Italian-American classics such as spaghetti and meatballs, eggplant parmesan, pizzas, panini, and more. Diners may pair those dishes with a full range of wine, beer, and cocktails.
Wienerschnitzel has made its triumphant return to the Houston area. After exiting the city in the ’90s, the California-based hot dog chain has opened an outpost in New Caney. Baytown will follow in the fall. The company is looking for more locations in Houston proper, according to a representative.
Cajun seafood restaurant Padna’s has closed. A new restaurant named Wings of Houston will replace it at the corner of Taft and Westheimer.
Cypress restaurant Black’s Market Table will close on July 13, the restaurant announced. Best known for Southern-inspired dishes and locally sourced ingredients, the restaurant had earned some buzz during its five-year run, but business had declined over the past couple of years. In an interview with Houston Food Finder, owners chef Bart and Rachele Black cited the lingerings effects post-Harvey economic slowdown and a reduction of staff at HP’s Houston campus as contributing factors to the slowdown.
The poke trend may still be booming, but that doesn’t mean every poke restaurant is a success. Pokeology, the restaurant in Sawyer Yards led by chef Jason Liao, closed in mid-June after less than a year in business. The chef told Houston Food Finder that the restaurant’s operating costs were too high for it to be a sustainable business.
Other news and notes
Luby’s flagship location in the Galleria area has started a new weekday breakfast service. Available from 7 am to 10 am, the fast-casual offerings include customizable omelets, avocado toast, and chicken and waffles.
Speaking of breakfast, Dish Society now serves several of its most popular morning dishes all day. “To be honest, I’m a little disappointed in myself for taking so long to do this and owe Houston an apology,” owner Aaron Lyons said in a statement. Options include avocado toast, brisket and eggs, Nutella French toast, and chicken and biscuits.
Bisou has added sushi to its offerings. The clubstaurant in River Oaks District blends French and Japanese influences to create a selection of creative maki and nigiri. Available for both lunch and dinner, the options include crab nigiri with grapefruit and black pepper gastrique ($7 per piece); lobster maki with radish, fine herbs, and tempura lobster claw ($24); and foie gras nigiri with plum, shisho, and honey ($9 per piece).
Chef Monica Pope is hosting a weekly brunch pop-up at her home. The “Outstanding in my Backyard” series, a reference to the Outstanding in the Field traveling dinner series, takes place every Sunday through August 25. Menus change weekly, and attendance is limited to 40 adults. Tickets are $55.
A new partnership with DoorDash means fans of Torchy’s Tacos can get their orders of queso and trailer park tacos without standing in line. To celebrate the partnership, all orders from Torchy’s will have a $0 delivery fee from June 24-28.
Find classic Italian-American food at Radunare.
