Once upon a time, nothing of note happened during the hot Houston summer, when the oil gentry retreated to their New England estates.

But that was then and this is now, and so many restaurants are popping up this week it's going to take until autumn to sort them out.

- Jenni's Noodle House opened its third location on E. 20th St. between Oxford and North Main in the Heights. The menu and incredibly friendly service is the same as the Shepherd and Post Oak spots, but the space is significantly bigger (and we also like the noodle ninjas on the exterior windows).

- Caffe Bello, the new concept in the former La Strada spot from Ciao Bello owners Tony and Jeff Vallone begins soft opening on Thursday, with full lunch and dinner service starting Monday featuring Michael Dei Maggi's fresh Italian interpretations.

-Thursday is also the grand opening of Pure in The Woodlands. A menu that's gluten-, oil-, sugar- and hormone-free (not to mention organic) includes salads, wraps, sandwiches, smoothies and chef Mateus Lamar's inventive air-popped fries.

- Carlos Mencia's Maggie Rita's, a new Tex-Mex place on The Strand in Galveston (with no relation to the Maggie Rita's in the downtown tunnel or the concept formerly on Sage), has its grand opening this weekend, including an appearance by "comedian" co-owner Carlos Mencia on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Does this mean Maggie Rita's will steal recipes from Bill Cosby? Keep eyes peeled for puddin' pops.

- And in closings, Brisa Cocina Mexicana, which impressed many with their accessible yet upscale Mexican cuisine, called it quits this week.