Have a bol

Houston Chopped champion bowls over Midtown with new casual restaurant

Kahani Social Group Surpreet Singh, Chef Jassi Bindra, Preet paul Singh

Kahani partners Surpreet Singh, chef Jassi Bindra, and Preet Paul Singh are bringing Bol to Midtown.

Courtesy of Kahani Social Group

The team behind Amrina has revealed plans to open a second new concept in a prime Midtown space. In addition to the previously announced Pok Pok Po fried chicken restaurant, the Kahani Social Group will also open a second fast casual eatery.

Dubbed Bol, the new restaurant is described in press materials as an Indian-inspired bowl concept. Diners will be able to assemble their single-serving bowls from a selection of grilled meats, vegetables, and grains topped with condiments such as hummus, sauces, and dressings. Led by Chopped champion chef Jassi Bindra, the restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner.

"With Bol, we wanted to create a concept that blends the vibrant, bold flavors of Indian cuisine with the simplicity and convenience of a bowl,” Kahani Social Group co-founder Preet Paul Singh said in a statement. “It's a fresh take on tradition, designed for modern lifestyles without compromising on quality or taste.”

Bol will occupy part of the same space as Pok Pok Po Chicken Parlor. Announced in May, Pok Pok Po will serve the fried chicken chef Jassi Bindra has offered as an occasional special at Amrina, the elegant Indian restaurant that's been a hit in The Woodlands since it opened in June 2022. Both concepts are expected to open this fall.

Bol and Pok Pok Po will occupy part of the building that had been home to Artisans, the French fine dining restaurant that relocated to a new space in the Galleria area. Medium Rare, a Washington, D.C.-based restaurant that serves steak frites, claimed another part of the former Artisans space and is also slated to open this fall.

Stay trill, owls

Bun B serves up smash hit smash burgers at Houston's Rice University

Photo by Quit Nguyen

Bun B is bringing Trill Burgers to Rice University.

Faculty, students, and staff at Rice University will have a fresh new dining option when classes resume for the fall semester. Trill Burgers will open its fourth Houston-area location on campus beginning Monday, August 17.

Located at the Rice Memorial Center, the new Trill Burgers will serve the restaurant’s signature smash burgers, which are available in either beef or vegan versions. That starts with the OG Trill Burger, made with two smashed beef patties, pickles, caramelized onions, Trill Sauce, and American cheese on a Martin’s potato roll. A vegan version uses plant-based smashed patties, vegan sauce, and vegan cheese. Burgers will be sold individually or as a combo with fries and a drink. Students will be able to use their campus dining dollars (Tetra) to purchase their meals.

Bun B, a Houston hip-hop legend and co-founder of Trill Burgers, has long had ties to Rice University. In 2011, 2013, and 2015, he served as a distinguished lecturer, co-teaching Religion and Hip-Hop Culture with Anthony Pinn, the Agnes Cullen Arnold Distinguished Professor of the Humanities.

“This is truly full circle for me,” Bun B said in a statement. “To bring this brand to Rice University where I once taught is a major moment for Trill Burgers and for myself.”

In addition to Trill Burgers, Rice is also home to locations of breakfast favorite Dandelion Cafe and salad and sandwich concept Local Foods Market.

“We are excited to build upon this long-standing relationship while giving the Rice community an authentic taste of Houston,” Beth Leaver, Rice’s assistant vice president of housing, dining, and hospitality, added. “Trill Burgers brings a distinctive and celebrated part of Houston’s culinary culture to the Rice campus. I am often asked about adding a great burger option, and this partnership fills an important gap in our dining portfolio.”

While the restaurant is open to the general public, its proximity to the original Trill Burgers location (3607 S. Shepherd Dr.) means it will likely appeal primarily to people who are already on campus. Initially, the restaurant will be open from 11 am-5 pm.

Opening at Rice comes at a time of continued growth for Trill Burgers. In December, the restaurant opened in Missouri City. It is expected to open a new location at Westheimer and Hillcroft (7616 Westheimer Rd.) as soon as this month.

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