Making a Marq

New pizza and poke restaurants set to open at bustling Spring Branch destination

Austin's Aviator Pizza is coming to Houston.

Photo by Dos Mundos Creative

Restaurants devoted to pizza and poke are coming to a popular Spring Branch shopping center. The new arrivals are among the latest additions at the MarqE Entertainment Center, the eating, entertainment, and retail destination located just outside the loop at 7620 Katy Freeway.

They are:

Aviator Pizza & Drafthouse, an Austin-based pizzeria known for its from scratch pizzas and extensive craft beer offerings
SeaSide Poke, the Houston-based raw fish restaurant with locations in EaDo and downtown’s Understory food court.

It will be Aviator’s first Houston location, joining five in the greater Austin area. The restaurant is known for the rosemary-infused oil that’s added to each pizza prior to baking. Its menu also includes an extensive selection of sandwiches and salads. Pair them with a drink from a roster of more than 50 Texas beers and wines.

SeaSide distinguishes itself from other, similar restaurants by using sustainably sourced seafood that’s matched with ingredients from local farms. Choices include Salmon Ponzu bowl with salmon, ponzu, orange, edamame, and garlic, and a Spicy Tuna bowl with puffed rice.

The development also announced three new retail tenants, including:

Sloomoo Institute, an experiential destination devoted to artisanal slime
Immersive Gamebox, a venue devoted to group-based games
Glownar Aesthetics, a distributor that sells salon and spa aesthetic equipment to professional skincare facilities.

These new businesses join a bustling center that’s anchored by a 23-screen Regal Cinemas movie theater that underwent a series of upgrades beginning in 2022. The property is home to a number of restaurants, including Common Bond On-The-Go, Maine-ly Sandwiches, Warehouse 72, and Big City Wings.

“We will continue to seek new experiences to bring to MarqE throughout our on-going renovations that enhance our surrounding communities and the greater city of Houston,” Sasha Levine, vice president for MarqE owner Levcor, said in a statement. “Paired with the completion of the renovation of Regal Edwards, MarqE continues to be an accessible hub for all things entertainment.”

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forme fitting

Beard-recognized Houston chef serves up fresh concept in Midtown high-rise

Courtesy of Lucille's Hospitality Group

Lucille's Hospitality Group is now operating The Branch.

One of Houston’s most acclaimed hospitality groups has opened a new wellness-focused concept in a Midtown high-rise. The Branch is the latest concept from Lucille’s Hospitality Group.

Located on the 12th floor of the Forme, a luxury high-rise at 5501 La Branch, The Branch will serve a seasonal menu that includes a raw bar, daily crudo specials, oysters, caviar, and charcuterie. Those dishes can be paired with both alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails.

Currently, the restaurant is open to both residents and members of the general public for dinner Thursday-Saturday and during the day on Sunday. Daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner service will be added over time.

Founded by James Beard Award finalist Chris Williams, Lucille’s Hospitality Group is known for its Southern-inspired Museum District restaurant Lucille’s and Late August, its Midtown establishment that earned both a Recommended designation in the Michelin Guide and a Best New Restaurant award from Esquire for its blend of Afro-Caribbean and Mexican flavors. Lucille’s 1913, the group’s nonprofit, operates farms that provide access to fresh food in underserved areas.

"We're incredibly excited to partner with The Forme, because this is about much more than opening a new hospitality venue, it's about helping build a community," Williams said in a statement. "The Branch allows us to bring together thoughtful food, wellness-inspired hospitality, art and community in one space. Launching the partnership through a fundraiser that leaves a lasting impact on Houston makes this collaboration even more meaningful."

The Forme is a 33-story high-rise that’s focused on wellness, productivity, and community. In addition to The Branch, its amenities include a 20,000-square-foot fitness and recovery area, a 9,000-square-foot outdoor pool deck with pool and expansive hot tub, and 20,000 square feet of flexible coworking space.

The Branch will celebrate its opening on July 4 with Liberty and Lux, a fundraiser that will support efforts to paint murals on the Forme’s parking garage honoring America’s 250th anniversary. Tickets, $150, includes an open bar, passed hors d'oeuvres, and an expansive view of area fireworks displays from the building’s 12th floor pool deck.

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