On-The-Go in Spring Branch

Common Bond revs up On-the-Go service to Spring Branch and Memorial

Spring Branch and Memorial-area diners have a convenient new option for pastries, sweets, sandwiches, and more. Common Bond has opened its newest On-The-Go location in the MarqE complex (7680 Katy Fwy).

First introduced last year, Common Bond On-The-Go slims down the bakery and cafe's offerings to a core menu of items that can be served quickly such as breads, sweets, and pastries along with savory items like sandwiches and salads. Like the other On the Go locations in The Heights and Garden Oaks, the Spring Branch location offers customers the ability to walk-in or drive-thru.

Once inside (or in the drive-thru lane), they'll find all of Common Bond's signature items such croissants and other viennoiserie like kouign-amann, cookies and macarons, and small cakes. The concept offers a full coffee program — making it a little bit like a Starbucks except with food someone might actually want to eat.

On the savory side, chef Jason Gould has developed a menu of dishes that can be executed in approximately 90 seconds. They include breakfast sandwiches made with baked egg and choice of protein — including a sausage patty made with vegan Beyond Meat — that are served on the restaurant's signature croissants. Lunch and dinner options include a recently-introduced braised beef po'boy that utilizes the beef bourguignon served at the concept's larger bistro locations.

The next few months will be a busy time for Common Bond. Later this fall, it will unveil its elevated brasserie concept in downtown's Bank of America tower. In addition, at least two more On-the-Go locations are in the works for Midtown: one in the Drewery Place luxury high-rise and another in The Ion, Rice University's innovation-focused mixed-use development in the former Sears building. Even more are coming.

“We are excited to serve the Spring Branch and Memorial neighborhood residents and Houston commuters at our largest On-The-Go location on Katy Freeway,” Common Bond CEO George Joseph said in a statement. “We are thrilled to begin our expansion west in the MarqE Shopping Center, and we look forward to continuing our expansion on Eldridge and in the Memorial City area in the coming year.”

Common Bond On-the-Go has opened in Spring Branch.

Common Bond On the Go Spring Branch exterior

Photo by Eric Sandler

Common Bond On-the-Go has opened in Spring Branch.

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Croissant-obsessed French cafe sets opening date in downtown Houston park

Photo by Mariela Callaway

Petite Lucie opens this Saturday, May 30.

Downtown Houston will soon welcome a new, all-day French cafe. Petite Lucie, a new restaurant from Love Croissants owner Culinary Matters, will begin its soft opening this Saturday, May 30.

Located in the former Niko Niko’s space at Market Square Park, Petite Lucie offers a covered, outdoor dining pavilion and an indoor-outdoor cocktail bar. Designed by the Houston office of the global architecture giant Gensler, the cafe also includes lighting, greenery, and other details to make it a comfortable place to dine throughout the day.

The restaurant is led by chefs Omar Pereney and Sahira Malherbe. Pereney’s history in Houston goes back more than 10 years, when the then-20-year-old served as executive chef at Peska, an ambitious (but short-lived) seafood restaurant in Uptown’s BLVD Place development. Since then, he’s worked as a consultant who contributed to a number of local restaurants as well as the owner of Love Croissants, which supplies oversized pastries to restaurants, coffee shops, and markets throughout Houston. In January, Pereney and Malherbe took over operations at Weights + Measures in Midtown.

“At its core, Petite Lucie is about creating moments of escape and discovery in the middle of the city,” Pereney said in a statement. “We wanted to build something romantic but approachable — a place where someone can stop in for a croissant and espresso in the morning, meet friends for cocktails in the afternoon or linger over a casual dinner under the stars at night.”

Of course, Petite Lucie’s menu starts with a selection of pastries from Love Croissants, including a butter croissant, almond-cardamom croissant, pain au chocolat, and a coffee bun. Other breakfast options include a breakfast sandwich served on a croissant, lemon blueberry French toast, and avocado toast with smoked salmon.

Lunch and dinner options include jambon croquettes, croque monsieur, chicken salad croissant sandwich, steak frites, and a bowl made with lentils, quinoa, vegetables, and onion jam that can be enhanced with salmon or grilled chicken. Desserts include chocolate chip cookies, ice cream, and what’s described in press materials as a “life-changing” birthday cake.

Petite Lucie birthday cake Share a birthday cake at Petite LucieCourtesy of Petite Lucie

Jaime de Leon, an advanced sommelier and frequent Pereney collaborator, oversees a beverage program that includes spritzes, cocktails, and a French-oriented wine list that includes large format bottles of sparkling wine to power group celebrations. A custom St-Germain cart will serve draft cocktails at busy times and during events.

Located in the oldest part of Houston, Market Square Park is close to attractions such as the Theater District, Daikin Park, Post Houston, and more. In addition to Petite Lucie, the area will soon welcome a second location of modern general store Henderson & Kane in the former Treebards space. On Saturday, downtown will celebrate the opening of the nearby Main Street Promenade with a market, live entertainment, and more.

Petite Lucie is located at 301 Milam Street. It’s open daily from 7 am-9 pm.

Photo by Mariela Callaway

Petite Lucie opens this Saturday, May 30.

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