Restaurant Roulette

Catalan's replacement quietly opens, while a new Tex-Mex place lives up to itssexy promise

Photo via Coppa Ristorante Italiano/Facebook
Photo via Vida Sexy Tex-Mex/Facebook

If August is the month when Houston is supposed to be dead and devoid of excitement, someone must have forgotten to tell Houston restaurateurs.

This month has already seen the debut of Michael Kramer's new gig, Felix 55, in Rice Village, as well as a promising new downtown coffee joint in Café Luz. And on Tuesday two highly-anticipated new restaurants made their debut.

Ten weeks after Catalan closed its doors, Coppa Ristorante has quietly opened in its place. Led by executive chef Brandi Key, the restaurant's website promises "a simple, flavorful menu bringing Houstonians a place to savor a diverse slate of Italian cuisine in a buoyant, bustling atmosphere that captures the Italian spirit." Living up to the previous concept will be a challenge, but owners Charles Clark and Grant Cooper already have one new hit on their hands this summer — Brasserie 19 has been one of the toughest reservations in town for weeks.

After months of delays, the team behind Vida Tex-Mex (on San Felipe just west of the railroad track) is finally open. Reconfigured after a partnership with Austin's Vivo fell through, Vida promises "sexy Tex-Mex," and is putting a heavy focus on a cocktail program that goes beyond margaritas — St. Germain Mojito, anyone?

Based on the CultureMap comments, the neighbors have been eagerly anticipating the new dining destination for quite some time, and we're already loving the "being too sexy for my queso" check ins.

Which restaurant are you eating at first? What are your first impressions of Coppa and Vida?

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flying into Houston

Chopped champion's Indian-spiced fried chicken joint opens in Midtown

One of Houston’s most dynamic chefs has unveiled his take on fried chicken. Pok Pok Po is now open in Midtown.

Located at 3201 Louisiana, the restaurant is the latest concept from chef and Chopped champion Jassi Bindra and business partners Surpreet and Preet Paul Singh, the trio behind Indian fine dining restaurant Amrina in The Woodlands. Bindra’s fried chicken recipe uses a gluten-free flour and starch batter that’s seasoned with Indian Kashmiri red chili powder along with other herbs and spices. It’s pressure cooked to ensure the meat stays both juicy and crispy.

The certified halal chicken is available as strips, sandwiches (made with thigh meat), and chicken breast bites.Those looking for a heartier meal, can get their chicken served on top of sidewinder fries or in the “Rice & Shine,” which includes basmati rice and Bindra’s “Desi kimchi.” Beverage options include Akra, an American-style lager that’s brewed in India, cannabis-infused drinks from 8th Wonder and non-alcoholic options such as sodas and a mango lassi.

“At Pok Pok Po, we’re creating something that’s not just a meal but an experience,” Bindra said in a statement. “We’ve taken everything people love about fried chicken and given it a twist with bold, gluten-free recipes and flavors that truly speak to the diversity of Houston.”

While most counter service restaurants are designed primarily for to-go, Pok Pok Po’s 55-seat dining room caters to those who want to enjoy their meals. It features banquette seating and a white-and-black motif that will also be present at Bol, the restaurant’s sister concept that’s opening soon.

The two restaurants occupy part of the former Artisans space. Medium Rare, an affordable steak frites restaurant from Washington, D.C., recently opened next to Bol and Pok Pok Po.

Courtesy of Pok Pok Po

Pok Pok Po is now open in Midtown.

news-you-can-eat openings pok pok po