pappas' new seafood spot

Pappas pops open upscale new caviar, oyster, and bubbly bar in familiar Inner Loop space

Pappas Restaurants Inner Loop seafood restaurant is going upscale. The space once known as Little Pappas Seafood House will reopen this spring as Little’s Oyster Bar.

Last year, Pappas announced that Little Pappas, which closed in 2020, would reopen as Little Pappas Seafood House Oyster Bar. Instead, the company has pivoted to Little's Oyster Bar, which it describes as a chef-driven concept with a focus on oysters and raw seafood.

Executive chef Jason Ryczek brings an impressive resume to the role, including working as the executive chef at San Francisco seafood restaurant Farallon and as the co-owner and founding chef of Alley & Vine in Alameda.

Ryczek’s passion for caviar will make the luxurious ingredient at focus at Little’s Oyster Bar. The restaurant will serve three varieties of sturgeon caviar — house, Kaluga, Osetra — sourced by Ryczek from the California Caviar Company.

“Since I’m personally involved in making the caviar, we get great value,” Ryczek said in a statement. “We’ll also offer specials on our house caviar and a dozen oysters — our house specialties should be celebrated every day.”

The only Gulf oyster on the menu will be Barrier Beauties sourced from the Bolivar Peninsula. Others will be East Coast varieties. Gulf fish such as snapper, grouper, and tile will be sourced from Pappas’ boats. Ora King salmon, Spanish octopus, and other sustainable seafood will also be included.

“I’m focusing on seasonality and simplicity,” Ryczek said. “I’ll use the best ingredients and let them shine. I want this restaurant to show our guests what seafood can be.”

Adding further shine to the seafood will be a wine list curated by Pappas veteran Robert Smith. Expect a focus on European whites and champagne along with light to medium reds such as Pinot Noir and Burgundy. A tidy list of 10-15 cocktails will also be offered.

The space has received a comprehensive makeover that’s highlighted by new lighting and artwork. Overall, the restaurant will seat 80 inside and 50 on its patio.

Photo by Arturo Olmos

Little's Oyster Bar will served baked Gulf oysters.

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flying into Houston

Chopped champion's Indian-spiced fried chicken joint opens in Midtown

One of Houston’s most dynamic chefs has unveiled his take on fried chicken. Pok Pok Po is now open in Midtown.

Located at 3201 Louisiana, the restaurant is the latest concept from chef and Chopped champion Jassi Bindra and business partners Surpreet and Preet Paul Singh, the trio behind Indian fine dining restaurant Amrina in The Woodlands. Bindra’s fried chicken recipe uses a gluten-free flour and starch batter that’s seasoned with Indian Kashmiri red chili powder along with other herbs and spices. It’s pressure cooked to ensure the meat stays both juicy and crispy.

The certified halal chicken is available as strips, sandwiches (made with thigh meat), and chicken breast bites.Those looking for a heartier meal, can get their chicken served on top of sidewinder fries or in the “Rice & Shine,” which includes basmati rice and Bindra’s “Desi kimchi.” Beverage options include Akra, an American-style lager that’s brewed in India, cannabis-infused drinks from 8th Wonder and non-alcoholic options such as sodas and a mango lassi.

“At Pok Pok Po, we’re creating something that’s not just a meal but an experience,” Bindra said in a statement. “We’ve taken everything people love about fried chicken and given it a twist with bold, gluten-free recipes and flavors that truly speak to the diversity of Houston.”

While most counter service restaurants are designed primarily for to-go, Pok Pok Po’s 55-seat dining room caters to those who want to enjoy their meals. It features banquette seating and a white-and-black motif that will also be present at Bol, the restaurant’s sister concept that’s opening soon.

The two restaurants occupy part of the former Artisans space. Medium Rare, an affordable steak frites restaurant from Washington, D.C., recently opened next to Bol and Pok Pok Po.

Courtesy of Pok Pok Po

Pok Pok Po is now open in Midtown.

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