2 new Common Bonds

Houston's favorite bakery rises with 2 hot new Inner Loop to-go locations

Common Bond's pistacchio croissants are conquering Houston.

Photo by J. Thomas Ford

Common Bond's quest to serve macarons and croissants to every part of Houston recently took another step forward. In the past few days, the growing restaurant opened two new locations of its quick service concept, Common Bond On-The-Go, at the San Felipe Place office building in River Oaks and in Midtown at the Drewery Place luxury high-rise.

First introduced last year in The Heights, Common Bond On-The-Go slims down the offerings served at the larger bistro locations to a core menu of items that can be delivered quickly such as breads, sweets, and pastries along with savory items like sandwiches and salads. The two new locations are the third and fourth On-The-Gos to open this year, joining outposts in Garden Oaks and Spring Branch.

On the sweet side, expect all of Common Bond's signature items such as croissants and other viennoiserie like kouign-amann along with cookies, macarons, and small cakes. Savory items include croissant sandwiches, salads and a roast beef po' boy. Beverage choices include a full coffee program — making it a compelling alternative to national chains — as well as wine and beer.

The River Oaks location (2229 San Felipe St.) occupies the former Rossini Caffè Italiano that was once slated to be home to a healthy eating concept from Brasserie 19 owners Clark Cooper Concepts. Open Monday through Friday from 7 am-6 pm, it will serve tenants such as the Kinder Foundation and area residents including River Oaks Elementary parents looking for a quick bite after carpool drop off. Those looking to satisfy a Common Bond craving on the weekends will take comfort in knowing that the Montrose bistro location is only about a mile away.

“Common Bond is excited to continue to expand our roots in the heart of Houston,” owner George Joseph said in a statement. “We’re proud to call San Felipe Place our new home and look forward to growing our team and Common Bond’s presence in our hometown.”

Midtown's location (2850 Fannin St.) joins Kanau Sushi and Earthcraft Juicery in the 27-story tower. It offers 2,000-square-feet of interior space along with a patio that has a view of Midtown Park. Its open daily from 7 am-6 pm.

"Our team wanted to find a dining option that offered high-quality food for those who may be running to their next appointment, as many of our residents are full-time doctors, nurses and lawyers," Emma Alexander, acting COO of Drewery Place developer Caydon USA, said in a release. "We noticed a rise of the ‘grab-and-go’ trend and strategically partnered with the local favorite, Common Bond On-TheGo, to offer quick dining options with fresh food and locally sourced ingredients.”

Common Bond has had a busy 2021. In addition to four new On-The-Gos, the restaurant recently opened its elevated brasserie location in downtown's Bank of America tower. In 2022, it will add another On-The-Go in The Ion mixed-use development.

lunch desserts news-you-can-eat breakfast openings

NYT best dishes

Houston Mediterranean restaurant makes NY Times' best desserts list

Sayad Mediterranean Kitchen/Facebook

Sayad Mediterranean Kitchen is the only Houston restaurant on either list.

The New York Times included four Texas restaurants among its favorite dishes of 2025. Divided into two lists — The 23 Best Restaurant Dishes We Ate Across the U.S. in 2025 and The 14 Best Restaurant Desserts We Ate Across the U.S. in 2025 — the dishes are:

Bad Honey Bunny at Mercado Sin Nombre (Austin)
Ketan Hitam at Yeni’s Fusion (Austin)
Konafa Naama at Sayad Mediterranean Kitchen (Houston)
Picadillo Macaroni and Cheese at 2M Smokehouse (San Antonio)

Times food writer Priya Krishna, who authors the entries for all four Texas dishes, traveled to far west Houston to visit Sayad Mediterranean Kitchen. “The konafa, a signature here, arrives with a molten layer of cheese under a sticky-sweet layer of golden, nutty semolina. The craft is evident, the konafa gone in a few bites,” she writes.

Sayad Mediterranean Kitchen Konafa Naama Don't skip dessert at Sayad Mediterranean Kitchen.KSayad Mediterranean Kitchen/Facebook

In Austin, Krishna praises the rice pudding at Yeni’s Fusion. “This barely sweet version, lush with coconut milk, aromatic with pandan and as soothing as warm porridge, is the gentlest way to end a meal,” she states.

Already hailed as one of America’s best breakfast spots by Bon Appetit, Krishna singles out a honeybun at Mercado Sin Nombre. “The coiled honey bun at this semi-clandestine cafe looks almost cartoonishly perfect, and the heady scent of cardamom and honey hits you before you even take a bite. Somehow, it tastes every bit as plush and elegant as it appears,” she writes.

The picadillo mac and cheese at 2M Smokehouse showcases how the San Antonio restaurant incorporates Mexican flavors into traditional Texas barbecue. “Imagine Hamburger Helper, but spicier, punchier and even more luxuriously creamy. It’s not easy to one-up the singular, thickly spiced brisket here, but the picadillo mac and cheese — which runs as an occasional special — holds its own and then some,” Krishna writes.

The New York Times regularly shines its spotlight on Texas restaurants, In September, it named four establishments — ChòpnBlọk (Houston), Isidore (San Antonio), Lao’d Bar (Austin), and P Thai’s Khao Man Gai & Noodles (Austin) — to its list of America’s 50 Best Restaurants.

news-you-can-eat media lists desserts