Levy Park's 2 new restaurants

New crave-worthy Mexican restaurant and familiar Houston gastropub claim spots in bustling Upper Kirby park

Restaurants have returned to Levy Park. The Upper Kirby park announced the opening of a new Mexican restaurant as well as plans for a popular Houston gastropub to open there by the end of the year.

Gaspacho’s Mexican Bites has claimed the former Love Shack kiosk near the facility’s dog park. An evolution of chef-owner Jennifer Perez’s successful food truck, Gaspacho’s is a Mexican restaurant that serves tacos, tortas, snacks, and drinks — both boozy and non-alcoholic. It’s open daily for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and happy hour.

Perez, an immigrant who grew up in the Mexican state of Michoacán, started the Gaspacho’s Fruits and Cravings food truck to serve snacks such as elotes, cut fruit, and juices. Her signature item on the food truck is the Gaspacho, a bowl that contains cut fruit and a mixture of lime and orange juice that’s topped with Valentina, Tajín, and cotija queso.

When the truck proved a hit with park regulars, Levy Park administrators invited Perez to join full time with Gaspacho’s Mexican Bites. Having access to a large kitchen has allowed her to expand the menu with tacos — choice of birria, carnitas, or pastor — along with quesadillas, flautas, ceviches, and a Mexican-style hot dog that’s wrapped in bacon and topped with crema, caramelized onions, elote, guacamole, and hot sauce. In addition, Gaspacho’s serves tortas, including a Torta Ahogada that’s dipped in spicy salsa and served in a plastic bag to prevent spillage.

Those dishes can be paired with Mexican beers, micheladas, and margaritas — choose traditional, cucumber, watermelon, or mango. Those who want a michelada and a snack can get it with candy, mangonada, or ceviche (see photo above).

“Food should taste and feel good. It should be healthy, have the freshest ingredients and flavors,” Perez said in a statement. “We like to surprise each guest with a unique experience and look forward to bringing our heavenly bites to Levy Park.”

Turning to the full-service restaurant, popular gastropub Hearsay has claimed the former Woodshed Smokehouse space for its fifth location. It will join Hearsay’s two downtown locations in Market Square and near Discovery Green, as well as restaurants in Galveston and The Woodlands.

Photo by Jay Ford

Gaspacho's Mexican Bites is now open at Levy Park.

Expected to open in December, Hearsay Levy Park will serve favorites such as its cheeseburger, crab-crusted redfish, and cocktails. Two private dining rooms will be available for celebrations and other events. Exclusive to the new location with be picnic baskets designed to be eaten in the park as well as soft serve ice cream for kids of all ages.

“We are excited to unveil the newest Hearsay location and become an integral member of the Levy Park community,” Hearsay CMO Shawn Collier said in a statement. “Guests of the park will enjoy our classic American favorites with that special Hearsay twist and park friendly surprises designed to delight.”

Both the Love Shack and Woodshed spaces became available last summer when celebrity chef Tim Love closed the restaurants after his license agreement with the park reached the end of its term. Levy Park is a 6-acre park that features a dog park, rain garden, and children’s play area. It regularly hosts events such as movie nights and yoga classes.

“Hearsay is an exceptional and beloved classic among Houstonians, and we are delighted to welcome them to the park,” park director Stephanie Kiouses added.

openings tacos news-you-can-eat

there's the rub

Restaurant known for 'new Houston cuisine' now open in Cypress

Courtesy of Jonathan's the Rub

Jonathan's the Rub serves steaks and other dishes.

A restaurant known for its eclectic “new Houston cuisine” has opened in Cypress. The fourth location of Jonathan’s the Rub is now open for dinner in Bridgeland (20215 Bridgeland Creek Parkway).

First announced last year, the new Jonathan’s is located in Village Green, a 70-acre mixed-use development within the 925-acre Bridgeland Central district. The 5,500-square-foot restaurant includes two patios totaling 2,600 square feet, giving the restaurant plenty of room for private dining rooms, a bar area, and indoor-outdoor areas with fire pits and greenery.

“We were looking for the next frontier — a community with a booming population and a clear vision for growth that aligns with our brand,” chef-owner Jonathan Levine said in a statement. “When we discovered Bridgeland and learned it was a Howard Hughes development, we were immediately impressed. With their reputation for developing generational communities, we felt confident that Bridgeland was the right place for our family and for Jonathan’s the Rub.”

Like Jonathan’s three other locations, the menu at Bridgeland is built around Levine’s signature “new Houston cuisine,” a kicked-up take on comfort food that includes everything from lobster tacos and blackened shrimp and grits to Italian American classics and steakhouse fare.

Village Green is also home to H-E-B and restaurants such as Sweet Paris Crêperie & Café and Crust Pizza Co. Austin-based burger joint P. Terry’s will open there next year.

“Jonathan’s the Rub’s arrival in Bridgeland Central brings a distinguished addition to the culinary scene in both the community and northwest Houston,” said Jim Carman, president of the Texas region, for Bridgeland developer Howard Hughes Communities. “We’re proud to partner with exceptional restaurateurs like Chef Jonathan Levine to bring elevated dining experiences that enhance the lifestyle offerings for our residents and neighbors.”