7 things to know

7 things to know in Houston food right now: Ben Berg's jazzy brunch, 11-course Korean steak dinners, and more

Editor’s note: Houston’s restaurant scene moves pretty fast. In order to prevent CultureMap readers from missing anything, let’s stop to look around at all the latest news to know.

Openings and coming attractions

Urban Bird Hot Chicken has opened its sixth Houston-area location in Webster’s Baybrook Passage Shopping Center (19325 Gulf Freeway). The restaurant serves chicken tenders as sandwiches and baskets along with chicken and waffles and fries topped with chicken tenders. Diners may opt for one of six spice levels, everything from “Country” to “Fire in the Hole”

Twisted Oak Bar + Kitchen will open this summer in Montgomery’s Woodforest development. Co-owner Rommel Gonzalez, a veteran of Brennan’s of Houston and former general manager of Fig & Olive, plans to serve a wide-ranging menu grounded in American classics matched with an extensive selection of wine and spirits. It aims to offer an upscale environment with personal service.

“My lifelong dream of opening my own concept came to me over the years as I experienced many restaurants, bars and lounges throughout my travels in Europe and South America,” Gonzalez said. “I always wanted to open a concept that’s appealing to our Texas values but also gives you the sense of being anywhere in the world.”

People on the move

Minh Nguyen is the new general manager at CounterCommon Beerworks & Kitchen. Best known for his time as the owner of Cafe TH in EaDo, Nguyen steps in for opening chef Ignacio “Iggy” Olivera. One of the brewpub’s co-founders, Nguyen will lead a menu revamp that builds on its goals of serving a diverse menu inspired by Houston’s diverse cuisines.

“CCBK was created to provide a space in the Bellaire community where folks can share their love of beer and food with their friends and loved ones,” co-founder Jaime Robles said in a statement. “The city of Bellaire has embraced us, and that support is what fuels our ingenuity in the kitchen and brewhouse.”

Minh Nguyen Countercommon Beer Works Tell Minh that CultureMap says hi.Courtesy of CounterCommon Beer Works

New menus

The Lancaster Hotel has introduced afternoon tea service. Served Saturday and Sunday at 12 pm and 2:30 pm, the menu includes “Coronation Chicken” in a phyllo cup, smoked salmon, and cucumber dill. Sweets include freshly-baked scones, petit fours, and chocolate pot de creme. To create the proper experience, dishes are served on William Edwards English bone China.

Designed to pair well with a matinee in downtown’s theater district, reservations are required to participate. Tea costs $69 per adult and $59 for kids 12 and under.

Turner’s, Ben Berg luxurious, Galleria-area supper club, has introduced a jazz brunch. Served Thursday and Friday from 11 am - 3 pm, chef Ricardo Cerna’s menu includes Creole favorites such as gumbo, Eggs Sardou, and boudin balls. While diners sip classic New Orleans cocktails such as the Ramos Gin Fizz, Sazerac, and Vieux Carré, they’ll enjoy live jazz music from 11:30 am - 2:30 pm.

PS21, the new French restaurant in Upper Kirby led by two Frenchmen — chef Philippe Schmit and front of house specialist Sébastien Laval — has added lunch and brunch service to its offerings. Open for dinner since March, the restaurant is now open for lunch Tuesday - Saturday from 11:30 am - 2:30 pm and Sunday brunch from 12-3 pm.

The menu includes a range of dishes, including Salade Niçoise, lobster salad, a wagyu cheeseburger that’s topped with brie, moules frites, and steak frites. A two-course, $22 business lunch consists of a vegetarian soup followed by a French Bouchon Plate that comes with a petit Croque Monsieur, petite Caesar salad, and risotto.

“We’re excited to get lunch service underway for the neighborhood,” Laval said in a statement. “We have had such a warm welcome from the community and look forward to providing a unique respite for diners as they shop, entertain, or need a quick and delicious bite during lunch break in the Upper Kirby area”

Karne Korean Steakhouse has introduced a chef’s tasting menu as a more curated experience than its a la carte menu. Described as a “love letter” to Korean cuisine by chef “KP” Nam, the 11-course, $160 offering includes dishes such as lobster and abalone, soba noodles, two steak courses — one with filet and wagyu chuck flap and another of smoked short rib — and pomegranate mousse. The tasting menu is available by reservation only and requires at least 24 hours advance notice.

Karne is the latest project from Jason Cho, the Houston restaurateur behind the Galleria-area location of Tom N Toms Coffee and acclaimed Korean fried chicken restaurant Dak & Bop. It puts a Korean spin on the classic American steakhouse with tabletop grilling, premium meats, and an extensive beverage program.

Photo by Kirsten Gilliam

Get a crab cake during Turner's jazz brunch.

openings news-you-can-eat

goodbye, grand lux

Eclectic comfort food restaurant to shutter after 21 years in Houston

Grand Lux Cafe

Beignets with three sauces, thanks Grand Lux Cafe.

A staple of the Galleria-area dining scene will soon serve its last meal. Grand Lux Cafe will close January 24, 2026.

A representative provided CultureMap with a statement from Alethea Rowe, senior director, public relations and global branding, for Grand Lux owner The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated:

After extensive review and analysis, the company made the difficult decision to discontinue operation of our Grand Lux Cafe in Houston. Our last day of service will be January 24, 2026. We are working with our staff to help transition them to other opportunities, including transfers to our other concepts in the area. We have truly enjoyed being a part of the local community over the last 21 years and hope that our guests will continue to dine with us at our other restaurants in the area.

News of the closing was first reported by Chron after it circulated on social media.

Open since December 2004, the massive, 12,100-square-foot restaurant serves a crowd-pleasing menu of eclectic, globally-inspired comfort food in a setting inspired by European design. Diners can choose from a wide array of dishes, including pot stickers, Buffalo wings, burgers, salads, pastas, steaks, seafood, and more. Baked-to-order desserts — including chocolate chip-pecan cookies and molten chocolate cake — are particularly can’t-miss.

Cheesecake Factory operate a number of restaurants across the Houston area, including those of its subsidiary Fox Restaurant Concepts. It recently opened its “greatest neighborhood restaurant” The Henry in Town & Country Village.

Although Grand Lux is leaving its location at the Centre at Post Oak, the shopping center will remain a likely remain a culinary destination. Various media outlets have reported that Eataly, described by CultureMap Dallas as a “mega-shopping and eating experience, with restaurants, bakery, wine shop, and retail store, all promoting the awesomeness of Italian food” will soon begin construction on its first Houston location at the development.

news-you-can-eat closings