a very fine house

Mexican restaurant with private tequila lockers sets Cypress opening

An upscale Mexican restaurant is coming soon to the Towne Lake development in Cypress. Galiana’s Casa Del Tequila will begin its soft opening this Monday, September 21 ahead of a grand opening on September 28.

Located at 11231 Greenhouse Road, Galiana’s Casa Del Tequila is an evolution of Galiana's Tex Mex & Agave Bar, a restaurant that closed in May. It’s part of Grupo Herrera Restaurants, the company behind Alicia’s Mexican Grille, Dario’s Steakhouse & Seafood, and Marvino’s Italian Steakhouse.

The new name comes with a new menu that’s designed to be more upscale than its predecessor. Owner Dario Herrera describes Galiana’s as “the fresher side of Mexico,” according to press materials, with a focus on high quality ingredients and tableside presentations.

Appetizers include street corn with grilled bone marrow, charred octopus, gorditas filled with pastor or chicken fajitas, and tableside guacamole. From there, diners may opt for tacos filled with pastor, octopus, vegetables, tempura fried Gulf snapper, or ribeye.

Galiana’s offers three choices of beef fajitas — skirt, ribeye, or filet — along with chicken. Diners can add familiar toppings such as bacon-wrapped shrimp, a lobster tail, or jalapeño sausage.

Other entrees include shrimp and crab enchiladas, mole enchiladas with chicken, risotto Veracruz with shellfish and octopus, and pan-seared Gulf red snapper with tequila poblano-chipotle cream. The company’s experience with steakhouses is reflected in Galiana’s steak selection that includes skirt, ribeye, an American wagyu New York strip, and a Black Angus tomahawk that’s carved tableside.

As the “house of tequila,” Galiana’s will also serve a wide range of tequila and mezcal-based cocktails, all of which are made-to-order with fresh citrus. In addition, private liquor lockers ae available for diners who want access to premium spirits and other perks.

During the soft opening, the restaurant will be open for dinner from 5-10 pm. After that, it will be open for lunch and dinner daily with brunch served on Saturday and Sunday. Reservations are available online.

Courtesy of Grupo Herrera Restaurants

The menu includes ceviche.

openings news-you-can-eat tex-mex

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