reborn on the bayou

Eclectic Museum District wine bar and restaurant finds new home in buzzy Buffalo Bayou hub

City Cellars has found its new location.

Courtesy of City Cellars HTX

A popular Houston wine bar and restaurant has found its new home. City Cellars HTX will open its new location at East River, Midway’s massive mixed-use development that’s coming soon to the banks of Buffalo Bayou in the Fifth Ward.

Scheduled to open in the spring of 2024, the new City Cellars will occupy just over 5,000-square-feet near East River’s greenspace. That’s up from the 2,000-square-feet it had at its original location in the Museum District’s Parc Binz building that closed in July. Between the more spacious interior and a 3,000-square-foot patio, total seating capacity will rise from 71 diners at the original to over 250.

“There's that saying about ‘go big or go home,’” owner Daniel Wolfe said in a statement. “Houston is my home, where I'm born and raised. The only thing left to do is go big.”

Beyond seating more diners, having more room will allow Wolfe to expand the restaurant’s menu with more dishes and cocktails. It will also have space for a companion “speakeasy concept” that will be announced closer to opening.

Opened in December 2020, City Cellars built a devoted following for its lively brunch service and creative cuisine. Wolfe has a compelling personal story that includes successful treatment for thyroid cancer in 2022.

City Cellars will be located in phase one of East River, which will cover 26 of the development's 150 acres. Previously announced tenants include Broham Fine Soul Food & Groceries, Lick Honest Ice Creams, and URBN Dental. They'll join a 360-unit apartment building, office space, and a shopping district with a 13,000-square-foot greenspace. East River 9, a par-three golf course, and Riverhouse Houston, a family-friendly restaurant, opened last year.

“City Cellars HTX is exactly the type of bold, forward-thinking dining concept that we hoped East River would attract,” Lacee Jacobs, senior managing director of retail leasing at Parkway, added. “We are committed to curating a dynamic mix that enhances the surrounding community, and innovative concepts like these — places you can’t find anywhere else in Houston — are precisely what we are looking to bring to the development.”

Korean fried chicken restaurant Dak & Bop has claimed the former City Cellars space for its return to the Museum District. It is scheduled to open in December.

openings wine news-you-can-eat

First look at all-you-can-eat Brazilian steakhouse's new Katy outpost

Good news for Katy-area carnivores — the wait for the suburb's newest all-you-can-eat Brazilian steakhouse has come to an end. Chama Gaúcha Brazilian Steakhouse has opened its second Houston-area restaurant near the intersection of the Grand Parkway and the Katy Freeway.

Located at 24205 Bella Katy Drive, Chama Gaúcha has claimed the former Doneraki Mexican Grill/Cooper’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que space for its new location. It joins the restaurant’s original Houston location (5865 Westheimer) that’s been open since 2011.

Similar to other rodizio concepts, Chama Gaúcha offers a range of grilled beef, lamb, pork, chickens, and Brazilian sausages that are served tableside by the restaurant’s staff. The meats come with caramelized bananas, garlic mashed potatoes, fried polenta, and pão de queijo, the celebrated Brazilian cheese rolls.

Diners also have access to a salad bar with more than 30 selections, including vegetables, cheeses, and charcuterie. Those who want a lighter meal may opt for a salad bar-only option for a reduced price.

The space has been given a comprehensive makeover that includes exposed brick, wood finishes, and circular lighting. An expansive bar and visible wine storage highlight the restaurant’s beverage offerings.

Brick columns and greenery frame the signature salad bar, while a landscape courtyard and fountain add some drama to the restaurant’s entrance.

The interior will feature five private dining rooms with capacities ranging from 20 to 150 people. They’re available for celebrations, business dinners, and other happenings.

“We’ve welcomed guests from Katy at our Westheimer location for many years, so it’s especially exciting to now welcome them here in their own community,” manager and Katy resident Guilherme Da Silva said in a statement. “From the design of the restaurant to the cuisine and tableside service, we created a setting where guests can enjoy the authentic Chama Gaúcha experience whether they’re joining us for dinner, a celebration or a special event.”

$Chama Ga\u00facha Brazilian Steakhouse Katy$

Courtesy of Chama Gaúcha Brazilian Steakhouse

The restaurant's entrance features a landscaped courtyard and fountain.

openings news-you-can-eat