8 things to know

8 things to know in Houston food right now: Openings, closings, and a new Heights patio bar

Highline Park has debuted at M-K-T in the Heights.

Photo by Tyler Barrera

Editor's note: Houston’s restaurant scene moves pretty fast. In order to prevent CultureMap readers from missing anything, let’s stop to look around at all the latest news to know.

Openings

The M-K-T development in The Heights recently welcomed a new patio bar. After a quiet soft opening during the World Series, Highline Park made its official debut on December 3. Owned by Wicklow Heights proprietors Roland Keller, Keith Doyle, and Tyler Barrera, Highline Park features an expansive, covered patio with seating for 100 and plenty of interior space, too.

The cocktail menu offers creative twists on classic drinks, such as a gin and tonic that gets a floral note from Violet liqueur and a prickly pear margarita. Food options include a queso-dipped corn dog, fried shrimp in sweet chili sauce, and an on-trend smash burger.

“We’re thrilled to be opening Highline Park at M-K-T Heights just a few short months after the debut of Casa Nomad next door,” Keller said in a statement. “While Casa Nomad embodies our favorite parts of our travels through Mexico, Highline Park is a casual, big patio bar like Wicklow Heights with the addition of the chef-driven food menu we’ve always wanted to do.”

Speaking of M-K-T, the development will also welcome Mendocino Farms on December 14. The California-based restaurant is known for its creative salads, bowls, sandwiches, and sides. Look for options such as the Avocado and Quinoa Superfood Ensalada and the Chimichurri Steak & Shishito Bowl along with favorites like the farm club and chicken pesto caprese.

Opening in The Heights gives Mendocino Farms four Houston-area locations, joining restaurants in Rice Village, Uptown Park, and downtown. A second downtown location will open in the Allen Center early next year.

“The Heights’ vibrant character and culinary scene makes M-K-T a prime spot to open our doors after the success of our other Houston locations,” CEO Kevin Miles said. “We envision this new location as a go-to destination for enjoying a Mendo culinary adventure, whether it’s lunch with co-workers, dinner with family and friends, or a nourishing break for those enjoying the nearby Heights Hike and Bike Trail. It’s an exciting moment for our brand to invite more Houstonians to Eat Happy.”

BB’s Tex Orleans has opened its 11th Houston-area location in Kingwood (25635 US-59). Diners will find all their BB’s favorites, including po’ boys, gumbo, and etouffee. When crawfish season starts, count on BB’s for well-cooked, spicy mudbugs.

Build-your-own salad chain Salata has reopened its location in the Galleria. Find it near the ice rink in the food court. Salata offers five lettuce bases, more than 50 toppings, and 11 gluten-free dressings. Mall employees receive a 10-percent discount.

Freebirds World Burrito will celebrate the grand opening of its new location in Spring on December 15. Expect giveaways, swag, and samples. The first 25 people in line will receive free burritos for a year (one per week for 52 weeks). Find Freebirds at 2825 Riley Fuzzel Rd.

Closings

Houston’s remaining location of Dallas-based pizzeria Cane Rosso closed last month. Chief marketing officer Jeff Amador tells CultureMap in an email that several factors contributed to the decision, including the location’s volume of business and difficulties finding sufficient staff.

Cane Rosso entered the Houston market with a Montrose location in 2016. The Heights outpost followed shortly thereafter. Its closure marks the end of Cane Rosso’s efforts to expand to Houston and Austin. Pizza lovers in the Dallas-Fort Worth have six Cane Rossos to choose from along with their affiliated concepts Zoli’s Pizza and Thunderbird Pies.

Seminal Houston Thai restaurant Kanomwan has been closed since September, but it might make a comeback in 2022. Patarawan Charoenrat, daughter of founders Yuthana and Darawan Charoenrat, tells Houston Food Finder that her mother simply needed a break from the business and may resume operations next year. That would be good news for the East End favorite, which has served classic Thai soups, curries, and more since the mid-80s.

Coming Attractions

Ybarra Investments Inc. has purchased land in the Conroe Waterfront Center for a new Gringo’s Mexican Kitchen that will open in late 2022 or early 2023. Gringo’s joins Cheddar’s at the development; it also contains 300 apartments with more residential construction slated to begin soon.

the-heights closings news-you-can-eat openings

Bowling over Houston

Gluten-free Austin restaurant picks River Oaks for first Houston store

Rendering of Honest Mary's in River Oaks

Rendering by Mark Odom Studio

Honest Mary's, an Austin-based eatery, is expanding with a new location in Houston's River Oaks in fall 2025.

It will be a Houston homecoming for restauranteur Nelson Monteith with the fall 2025 debut of Honest Mary’s in River Oaks.

“It’s a joy and honor to bring a brand we’ve worked hard to create in Austin and finally be able to share that concept with friends and family in Houston,” Monteith said in a statement. “There’s a bit of built-in comfort in knowing there are folks here who are already fans of Honest Mary’s. They’ve been asking us for years to open a location in Houston, and now it’s happening.”

Located at 2047-A West Gray St., Honest Mary's will occupy the current La Madeleine space. It is not known at this time when La Madeleine will close, but construction on Honest Mary's is expected to begin in May 2025.

Monteith and his wife, Mary, launched Honest Mary’s in 2017 after embracing mindful eating to improve their health. Since then, the Austin-based eatery that describes itself as serving "life-giving fast food" has expanded to four locations, with the upcoming River Oaks spot marking its arrival in Houston.

“There’s healthy food, fresh food, and fast food,” he said. “We wanted to create something that fits into that sweet spot without sacrificing quality or convenience. The trend towards healthy eating and the reality of busy lifestyles aren’t slowing down. We offer a place that caters to both.”

At the center of Honest Mary’s menu are five signature bowls ranging from poke to vegetarian, including the smoky poblano ($10.25) that features a basmati rice base with fresh vegetables of wild arugula, sweet corn, and pickled onions in a creamy poblano sauce. Co-partner and chef Andrew Wiseheart, known for Austin’s Contigo and Ladybird Taco, leads the kitchen.

Honest Mary's menu features healthy, gluten-free bowls. Guests can choose from five signature bowls at Honest Mary's, or create their own.Courtesy of Honest Mary's

Diners can build their own bowls by selecting a base like quinoa, proteins including grilled chicken and tuna, and vegetables such as sweet potatoes. Pickled onions, cucumber salad, and avocado are among the topping selections, with sauces like lemon garlic and cashew-lime crema.

Scratch-made sipping broths round out the menu, with the chicken bone broth packed with celery, carrots, onions and parsley, or an umami-rich seaweed and mushroom broth.

A selection of house-made aguas frescas and teas, local craft beer, wine, kombucha, and organic cold-pressed juices will be available, as will Honest Mary’s popular almond butter cookies sweetened with maple syrup and topped with a sprinkle of Maldon salt.

Rendering by Mark Odom Studio

Honest Mary's, an Austin-based eatery, is expanding with a new location in Houston's River Oaks in fall 2025.

With its fully gluten-free menu, Honest Mary’s caters to a range of dietary preferences, including vegetarian, vegan, and dairy-free. To align with Monteith’s dedication to nutrition, Honest Mary’s uses seed oils sparingly and prioritizes local and organic ingredients when possible.

“River Oaks Shopping Center has a unique blend of history and vibrant new concepts, making it the ideal home for us,” Monteith said. “We aim to be a neighborhood spot where people can enjoy delicious, healthy food.”

Lunden McGill and John Frazier of Baker Katz brokered the deal for the 2,200-square-foot space and additional patio with seating for 38 inside and 44 outside. Mark Odom Studio is responsible for architecture and design.

Honest Mary’s signature elements of terra cotta and blue tilework will be incorporated to provide consistency between all five locations, while Art Deco-inspired decor of lush greenery, warm wood tones and natural light will align the space with the River Oaks Shopping Center’s structure.

Takeaway, delivery, and dine-in will be provided daily from 11 am to 9 pm.

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