A new home for Danton's

Popular Houston Creole spot stirs up new home — and name — in historic Montrose space

Danton's will close December 31.

Photo by Karen Burd

One of Houston's most reliable destinations for gumbo and oysters will have a new home in 2019. Danton's Gulf Coast Seafood and Steaks will serve its last meal at its current home in Chelsea Market on December 31, owner Kyle Teas announced.

Beginning in early 2019, the restaurant will have a new home in the former Mockingbird Bistro space at 1985 Welch St. When it does, Danton's will have a new name — Eugene's Gulf Coast Cuisine. That the restaurant would move has been known since last month, but the name change indicates a new direction for the concept that Teas founded with chef Danton Nix in 2007.

“When we switch to Eugene’s we will continue to convey what is truly important to us: family values, excellent food, and fantastic service. We want it to reflect a true Southern upbringing,” Teas said in a statement. "Eugene is my father’s name, so our core values will remain the same, but guests can expect refreshing updates."

Renovations are currently underway to transform Mockingbird, which closed in 2016 after 15 years in business, into Eugene's. When it opens in early 2019, the menu will preserve favorite dishes and cocktails from the current Danton's menu. Similarly, Eugene's will still feature a wood-burning grill and scratch-made dishes.

“I look forward to expanding into Eugene’s and creating a concept that our customers resonate with that is even better than before,” adds Teas. “And yes, there will be an oyster bar!”

closings news-you-can-eat openings

sweet and spicy yodas

Austin ramen institution steams into Memorial with new location

Photo by Carla Gomez

Ramen Tatsu-ya is coming to Town & Country.

Memorial’s already red-hot dining scene will soon be home to another inner loop favorite. Ramen Tatsu-ya will open its second Houston-area location in Town & Country Village (600 West Sam Houston Pkwy North, #605).

Scheduled to open in "winter 2025," the new Ramen Tatsu-ya will build on the success of the restaurant’s Montrose location that opened in 2017. Ever since, Houstonians have lined up for steaming bowls of noodles built around the restaurant’s signature tonkotsu broth, which takes up to three days to prepare, according to a release.

The menu also includes small plates such as sweet and spicy Brussels sprouts, karaage, and gyoza. Tatsu-ya recently upgraded the beverage options in Montrose with Maine Root sodas, non-alcoholic sips such as lemongrass-cucumber limeade and strawberry-yuzu lemonade, and new frozen drinks.

“Almost immediately after joining the team in January 2021, I knew there was enough demand to expand the Ramen Tatsu-Ya footprint in Houston,” Houston general manager Todd Patterson said in a statement. “We’re stoked to have found a place to make our ramen accessible to more Houstonians while we continue to bring enhancements to our Montrose location.”

Founded in 2012 by chefs Tatsu Aikawa and Takuya Matsumoto, Ramen Tatsu-ya took Austin by storm. Fans lined up an hour or more to get a bowl of soup, and the restaurant earned a spot on Bon Appetit’s 2013 list of the country’s best new restaurants. Currently, the restaurant has seven locations, including a Round Rock outpost that opened last year. “Many more” will follow in the years to come, according to a release.

The last year or so has been a busy time for new restaurants opening in the Memorial area. Ramen Tatsu-ya will join new eateries such as Bar Bludorn, Credence, Relish Restaurant & Bar, and a second location of Montrose barbecue favorite The Pit Room.

news-you-can-eat openings ramen tatsu-ya