Buon appitito

Talented and familiar chef takes over cozy Rice Village Italian restaurant

Sandro Scarafile will helm Roma.

Photo courtesy of Roma

A new face is in the kitchen at Roma, the cozy Italian Rice Village spot located in a charming cottage at the corner of University Boulevard and Morningside Drive.

And that new face is a familiar one.

Sandro Scarafile helmed the restaurant in its incarnation as Sud Italia, Roma's predecessor. He's spent the last year running a food truck, and is happy to be back in the kitchen.

“I’m not going to be changing the core dishes of Roma’s menu,” he said in an email announcing his comeback. “I want to keep our regular customers happy.”

He will, however, put his much-loved orecchiette con cime di rape back on the menu. The “little ear” pasta with broccoli raab is a dish inspired by his early childhood in Italy's Puglia and his parents’ cooking.

Born in Puglia, Scarafile lived with his family in Italy and Germany before they finally settled in Nice, France where he grew up. By 15, he'd made a career in cooking, and would go on to be a professional chef in countries around the world, picking up seven languages along with global cuisine influences.

His specialty remains Italian.

Diners should look for Pugliese and seafood dishes, along with a focus on seasonal ingredients. They should also expect Scarafile to spend more time tableside, whether filleting a branzino or plating a risotto.

He and his wife Niki recently returned from a months-long visit to Italy and France, and Scarafile says he's happy about being back in the Bayou City.

“I’m so excited to be back in Houston, a city that I love,” he said. “And I can’t wait to get back in the kitchen after so many months away.”

news-you-can-eat chefs

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.