major memorial city moves

Acclaimed Austin pizzeria and Miami kebab-burger restaurant fire up first Houston locales in Memorial City

Houston first Via 313 is coming to Memorial City.

Via 313/Facebook

The Memorial City area will soon be home to two rapidly expanding restaurant brands. Austin-based pizzeria Via 313 and and Miami-based burger and kebab concept Pincho will join Velvet Taco and Goode Co. Seafood in the shopping center at 10201 Katy Fwy.

Houstonians who travel to Austin will recognize Via 313, which has earned wide acclaim for its Detroit-style pizzas. The rectangular-shaped, deep dish pies feature a rim of a crispy cheese along the crust. Originally founded as a food trailer by brothers Zane and Brandon Hunt, Via 313 has grown to seven Texas locations as well as outposts in Colorado and Utah. In August, it opened its first San Antonio location.

Pincho has achieved similar success in south Florida with its Latin American-inspired kebabs, which are called pinchos. Five different proteins, including chicken, shrimp, and steak, are paired with sides such as rice and beans or tostones and served as platters. The restaurant also serves well-regarded burgers along with bowls and salads. Founded in 2010, it has eight locations in the greater Miami area.

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Slated to open in spring 2023, both restaurant come to Houston via their partnerships with Savory, the food and beverage arm of Utah-based investment firm Mercato Partners. Savory partnered with Via 313 in 2020 and with Pincho in 2021. Earlier this year, the private equity firm selected Houston Vietnamese restaurant Saigon Hustle as the winner of its Million Dollar Restaurant Launch competition.

“Memorial City is a great spot for the hottest developments, and we can’t wait to add Via 313 and PINCHO to the mix,” Savory vice president of brand development and strategy Alonso Castañeda said in a statement. “The standout community is a dining destination and a clear choice for our expansion. We know locals and visitors alike will fall in love with our vibrant spaces, bold flavors, and addictive menus. From Via 313’s Detroit-style pizza to Pincho's Miami-born burgers, we’re bringing the heat to Houston.”

The Memorial City area has been on an upswing as a dining destination. In addition to the recent opening of Velvet Taco, the area will soon see additions such as Common Bond and Montrose-based barbecue joint The Pit Room.

“We are excited that Memorial City will be first to bring both of these award-winning restaurants to our city,” Danna Diamond, vice president of retail leasing for Memorial City owner MetroNational added. “The fact that Food & Wine Magazine has touted Via 313 as ‘one of the best pizzas’ and Pincho is considered by Miami News Times as ‘one of the top 10 best burgers’ is a testament of how much Houstonians are going to love experiencing these new flavors.”

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say hey to Hypsi

Houston chef's hip new Italian restaurant now open in Heights hotel

Photo by Julie Soefer

Hypsi serves pasta and other Itaian-inspired dishes.

A new Italian restaurant is now open in the Heights. Located within the newly opened Hotel Daphne, Hypsi marks chef Terrence Gallivan’s return to professional cooking in Houston.

Known for his time as the co-execuive chef of The Pass and Provisions and owner of ElRo Pizza and Crudo, Gallivan brings strong culinary credentials to Hypsi. Although he isn’t known explicitly for Italian fare, he has significant experience making pizza, pasts, and other Italian-inspired dishes. After closing ElRo last year, the chef says that working for Bunkhouse Hotels, the Austin-based company that operates the Daphne, had a lot of appeal.

“My wife and I always made it a point to stop at their places whenever we’re in Austin. They know how to make cool stuff,” Gallivan says.

Hypsi’s menu includes updated takes on Italian fare begins with starters such as lamb meatballs, black truffle arancini, and Caesar salad. A selection of house-made pastas include squid ink radiatori with rock shrimp, butternut squash tortellini, and lumache with vodka sauce that gets a little heat from nduja. Entree choices include a roast chicken, pork Milanese, and roasted snapper with salsa verde.

The restaurant is also open for breakfast during the week and brunch on the weekends with items such as a panatone waffle, frittata, and breakfast sandwich. Lunch will follow in January.

“We took inspiration from tradition without being traditional,” Gallivan says. Later, he adds, “For me, it’s about balance. You try to please everybody. I want my mom to enjoy herself as much as a 25-year-old foodie. It’s important to hit as many marks as you can.”

One of the restaurant’s signatures will be the mozzarella cart that rolls through its dining room. Gallivan says he’s sourcing a mix of both American and imported Italian cheeses that will rotate every week or two. The cheese is served with a range of pickled fruit and vegetables, olive oil, aged balsamic vinegar, focaccia, and more. Of course, seeing a cart immediately grabs diners’ attention, making them want whatever is on offer.

“That’s the beauty of carts,” Gallivan says. “It’s a fun thing to do. I think sometimes we get a little too serious in restaurants. It’s supposed to be fun. People are here to enjoy themselves.”

All that eating and drinking takes place in a dining room that’s inspired by Prohibition-era speakeasies, according to press materials. Details include blueberry lava stone on the bar, vintage velvet chairs, and custom Carimate dining chairs by Vico Magistretti. An outdoor patio features brick pavers, mosaic tables, and sculptures.

Photo by Julie Soefer

Hypsi serves pasta and other Itaian-inspired dishes.

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