reborn on the bayou

Eclectic Museum District wine bar and restaurant set to shutter and relocate to new home

City Cellars HTX will soon have a new home.

Courtesy of City Cellars HTX

A wine bar in the Museum District will soon pop its last cork. City Cellars HTX will close at its current location in the Parc Binz building on July 31, but the popular spot isn’t gone for good.

In a public post on his personal Facebook page that was edited after CultureMap published this article, City Cellars owner Daniel Wolfe stated that he plans to relocate the restaurant to the East River development in the Fifth Ward. However, a representative tells CultureMap that those negotiations are ongoing and have yet to be finalized. Regardless of where the new location winds up being, it's expected to debut in the first quarter of 2024.

Opened in December 2020, City Cellars HTX has built a devoted following for executive chef Antonette Wright’s eclectic menu. It has also built its business around its lively brunch service. Wolfe has a compelling personal story that includes successful treatment for thyroid cancer in 2022.

“When City Cellars HTX first opened its doors in its current location, it surpassed our expectations, attracting an ever-growing clientele with its chef-crafted fare and exceptional dining experience," Wolfe said in a statement. "We are humbled and grateful for the overwhelming support we have received from our loyal customers and the community. As our success continues to soar, we feel it's time to embark on this exciting new chapter."

With more than three times the space of its current location in the Museum District, the new City Cellars will be able to serve more diners. Plan calls for a private dining room and other improvements that weren’t possible at the original location.

"The relocation is a strategic move that will not only provide a more comfortable and enjoyable dining experience for our patrons but also allow us to further elevate our culinary offerings and provide enhanced services," Wolfe said. "We are committed to delivering an outstanding dining experience to the dynamic city of Houston, offering a delightful and inviting ambiance for all patrons to savor a delectable meal, no matter their background."

Moving the restaurant also resolves a lawsuit between City Cellars and the Parc Binz development over alleged lease violations. According to Harris County District Court records, the parties agreed to binding mediation to reach a resolution. Parc Binz developer Christopher Balat declined CultureMap’s request to comment on City Cellar’s announcement.

openings closings news-you-can-eat

blasting off

Houston pizza chef sets opening date for retro-inspired neighborhood joint

Photo by Rebekah Flores

Galaxy Pizza serves pizza made with dough that ages for four days.

Houston pizza veteran Anthony Calleo has opened Galaxy Pizza in Spring. Located at 6450 Louetta Rd., the restaurant will celebrate its grand opening this Saturday, June 6.

Galaxy intends to operate as a modern take on the classic neighborhood pizza joint. It serves pizza made with dough that’s aged for four days and made by blending techniques from both Detroit and Neo-Neapolitan styles that’s baked in a conveyor belt oven.

“It’s almost a thing that doesn’t exist anymore. It’s how Pizza Hut made pizza in 1987,” Calleo told CultureMap in May. “It’s got a good rise on the crust. It doesn’t droop, but it’s not stiff like a cracker. It’s got a little too much cheese and sauce on it…A culinary instructor would tell you it’s unbalanced, and that’s the point.”

Highlights from the menu include:

Tom Selleck: Bacon, ham, pepperoni strips, and pineapple
Salad Days: Spinach, tomato, garlic, feta and herb seasoning, and marinated artichoke hearts.
That Guy!: Italian sausage, bell peppers, onions, and feta
Meatza-Pizza: Pepperoni cups, pepperoni strips, Italian sausage, beef, bacon, and ham
Veg-O-Max: Mushrooms, onions, bell peppers, garlic, banana peppers, olives, and feta.

In addition to pizza, Galaxy will serve appetizers such as breadsticks, garlic potatoes, garlic cheesebread, pizza rolls, and everything bagel spinach and artichoke dip. The restaurant also offers sandwiches such as a cheeseburger and an Italian sub, as well as salads.

Finally, Calleo and crew will serve a few baked ziti pastas such as the Sunday gravy with tomato and meat sauce, provolone, and mozzarella; the Pizza-Pasta with meat sauce, Italian sausage, bacon, pepperoni strips, mixed bell peppers, and a provolone-mozzarella blend; and the Chili Crisp, Sausage and Peppers with pepperoni chili crisp, garlic butter, Italian sausage, mushrooms, onions, feta, and “Moonrock Dust” seasoning.

As CultureMap reported last month, Calleo, whose resume includes founding both Pi Pizza and Gold Tooth Tony’s, is returning to the kitchen for the first time after being diagnosed with autism last year. Choosing a smaller location and only being five days per week (Thursday-Monday) are designed to provide Calleo and his employees with a better work-life balance.

“Galaxy Pizza is really about creating a place that feels familiar and welcoming while also being true to who I am,” Calleo said in a statement. “Getting diagnosed with autism later in life changed a lot for me, and I hope this restaurant can become a positive space that not only serves great pizza, but also finds ways to advocate for and support others. This one is really special to me for lots of reasons, and I cannot wait to share Galaxy Pizza with the Spring community.”

Beginning at 11 am on Saturday, Galaxy Pizza will celebrate its grand opening with giveaways and prizes. The winner of a Street Fighter 2 tournament will win free Galaxy Pizza for a year.

Photo by Rebekah Flores

Galaxy Pizza serves pizza made with dough that ages for four days.

news-you-can-eat openings pizza chefs