Adios, Cafe Express

Longstanding Houston fast-casual restaurant shutters Briargrove location

Briargrove residents will miss Cafe Express.

Photo courtesy of Cafe Express

A fast-casual restaurant with Houston roots has closed its Briargrove location. Cafe Express, the restaurant founded by Cafe Annie owners chef Robert Del Grande and business partner Lonnie Schiller (also a founder of CultureMap), has closed its location at Woodway and Voss, along with outposts in Dallas and Austin.

“The closure of our Mockingbird Station location was a tough decision, but the right decision," Cafe Express COO Bobby Jaramillo said in a statement provided. "We also decided to close our North Lamar location in Austin as well as the Woodway at Voss location in Houston. Doing so allows us to focus on our performing restaurants and we have engaged a firm to help us with this restructure."

Cafe Express provides a fast casual spin on Del Grande's signature Southwestern cuisine. Its eclectic menu of burgers, salads, pastas, and more has made it a reliable Houston dining destination for years. Although it's now shuttered, the Briargrove outpost had remained popular with families in the area, but recent arrivals like Maclane's Cafe and Eatalia will help ease the sting a bit.

The chain was recently acquired by new owner in M. Terry Enterprises, who relocated the headquarters from Houston to Dallas. Six other Cafe Express locations remain open across the Houston area, including in Meyerland, River Oaks, and Greenway Plaza.

Over the years, Cafe Express has changed hands twice: Wendy's bought the concept, and it was then acquired by Houston real estate company Redstone. CEO George Hailey and COO Bobby Jaramillo joined the company in 2017; the two previously worked for Chili's and Brinker International.

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Teresa Gubbins contributed to this story.

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Intimate Houston cocktail den stirs up a new omakase-style tasting

Photo by Jason Haas

The Arc Room hosts a 10-seat cocktail tasting.

One of Houston’s most intimate cocktail bars is adding an even more premium experience to its offerings. The Arc Room at Clarkwood is a reservation-only offering that guides attendees through a five drink, 90 minute, omakase-style cocktail tasting.

Offered every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 6, 8, and 10 pm, the $95 tasting is intended to be a curated experience that incorporates elevated ingredients, custom stemware, lighting, and music. It’s limited to just 10 people per seating.

“This is a truly sensory experience,” Clarkwood co-owner Army Sadeghi said in a statement. “It was designed to transport you in every sense of the word. This is a project near and dear to my heart and takes cocktail culture in a bold new direction.”

The Arc Room’s first menu takes inspiration from Italy. Its drinks are inspired by summer in places such as Florence, Sicily, Capri, Venice, and the Amalfi Coast.

Sadeghi and his wife, Mason Clark Sadeghi, opened Clarkwood in December 2021. It quickly became a hit thanks to its intimate environment, lively atmosphere, and well-crafted drinks such as the signature espresso martini. The couple upgraded the bar last year with a 1,500-square-foot courtyard and the building that’s now home to the Arc Room. It has a distinct style and a separate entrance from Clarkwood, both of which are designed to make the experience feel more premium.

Get a sneak peek at The Arc Room in this video by Houston influencers Danielle Dubois.

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A post shared by Danielle Dubois | Houston ✨ (@hangryhoustonian)

“We’ve obsessed over every detail of the guest experience, from the cocktails and pairings to the music, lighting, and pacing of the evening,” added general manager Jesus Villarreal. “Our goal is for every guest to leave feeling like they’ve traveled somewhere extraordinary,”

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