post-politan

Caribbean and Thai restaurants reopen in shuttered Rice Village food hall

Ate Kitchen will remain part of Rice Village.

Photo by Denny Culbert

Politan Row may have shuttered its location in Rice Village, but two of the food hall's former vendors will continue to occupy the space.

Ate Kitchen, a Caribbean concept from chef Keisha Griggs, and Kin, a Thai-inspired restaurant from Chopped winner Evelyn Garcia, have both reopened in the space at 2445 Times Blvd. Ate Kitchen will be open for to-go and delivery from noon-7 pm Wednesday through Saturday. Kin will use the facility as a commissary to prepare jarred condiments and spice rubs that Garcia sells at retailers and markets around Houston.

Griggs blends her Trinidadian heritage with French, African, Indian, and Latin influences to create Ate Kitchen's contemporary take on Caribbean cuisine. Featured dishes include jerk chicken, stews and samosas, and more.

“I’m thrilled to be reopening Ate in Houston’s Rice Village,” Griggs said in a statement. “The restaurant community looks decidedly different and how we deliver our cuisine has definitely shifted, but we are looking forward to opening back up — just in time for the holidays. We can’t wait to see old and new friends alike.”

Garcia worked at a series of New York restaurants including Spice Market by Jean Georges, Masak, and Kin Shop before returning home to Houston. After building a following for her pop-ups, she served as the chef-in-residence at Decatur Bar and Decatur Bar & Pop-up Factory before it closed in 2019. The rubs and condiments she produces can be found at places such as Henderson & Kane, Local Foods, and the Saturday farmers market organized by Urban Harvest.

“The pandemic has taken a devastating toll on restaurants everywhere," Garcia said. "We have taken this opportunity to reinvent the business and are grateful to be coming back.”

Politan Row opened in 2019 with a diverse slate of vendors and the credibility that came from a connection to New Orleans' acclaimed St. Roch market. It closed in November due to the economic disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

news-you-can-eat

that sucks

Parking problems shutter Houston restaurant after less than a year

Succulent Fine Dining/Facebook

Succulent Fine Dining has closed.

A promising Houston restaurant has closed after less than a year. Succulent Fine Dining served its last meal on Thursday, February 5.

Located at the Regent Square mixed-use development, Succulent Fine Dining opened in May 2025. It was a new concept from from Houston restaurateur Shawn Virene, the mastermind behind champagne-fueled River Oaks restaurant a’Bouzy.

In a lengthy statement, Virene cited "ongoing site-related access, parking, and valet limitations that have significantly impacted our guests’ ability to access the restaurant and, ultimately, the overall guest experience" as the reason for the closure. It states that the City of Houston restricted levels two and three of the development's parking garage to residents of its apartment building, even thought they were supposed to be available to employees and customers.

“Succulent was a labor of love, and this was not an easy decision,” Virene said. “It has been an honor to serve our guests, and I’m deeply grateful to everyone who supported us. I hope those who loved Succulent will join us at a’Bouzy so we can continue serving you. Offering minimal valet at a $25 minimum per car is egregious. Our valued guests have not been able to access our establishment at a reasonable cost or with ease, and that is simply not acceptable for the level of hospitality we strive to provide.”

For Succulent, Virene took inspiration from California’s Napa Valley, with a wide-ranging menu by chef David Buckley that utilized both West Coast ingredients and some sourced from Texas farms. Its design included an expansive, second-story patio that featured pergolas and antique greenhouses.

“Our culinary and service staff poured their hearts into this restaurant every single day,” Virene added. “Their professionalism, dedication, and genuine hospitality made Succulent special. We are profoundly grateful for each of them, and we are committed to supporting them during this transition.”

While Succulent has closed, other restaurants in Regent Square remain open. They include Flight Club, Mexican Sugar, and Georgia James.

closings news-you-can-eat