sayonara, molihua

High profile Med Center sushi restaurant shutters after only 3 months

Molihua has closed, at least for now.

Photo by Brian Kennedy

One of this year’s highest profile new Japanese restaurants has closed after only three months in business. Molihua has served its last meal, CultureMap has learned.

A representative for Molihua provided the following statement in response to CultureMap's request for comment: "Molihua is currently closed as the restaurant undergoes a reconceptualization. We look forward to sharing new details soon."

Signs of Molihua's closure first appeared on Thursday, August 1. Its Instagram account has disappeared, it has been removed from the Houston Restaurants Weeks website, and it is no longer accepting reservations on OpenTable.

Located in the Blossom Hotel, Molihua opened to considerable fanfare in April. The restaurant is part of the Boon Group, a hospitality company led by chef Ho Chee Boon, who Houstonians may remember as the culinary mind behind Yauatcha, the short-lived dim sum restaurant in the Galleria. As the executive international chef for the global Hakkasan Group, Boon held one Michelin star for Yauatcha’s London Soho location.

Hideki Hiwatashi Ho Chee Boon Molihua Houston Chefs Hideki Hiwatashi and Ho Chee Boon teamed up to open Molihua.Photo by Brian Kennedy

To bring Molihua to Houston, chef Ho recruited Japanese chef Hideki Hiwatashi to lead the kitchen. He brought an impressive resume to the project, including time with the global Hakkasan Group and as head chef at Kikunoi Roan, a two-Michelin star kaseki restaurant in Kyoto. Together, they created a menu that focused on Japanese fare with a few dim sum-inspired dishes.

Why did Molihua close so quickly? Yelp reviews aren’t always reliable, but consistent complaints about service issues, high prices (also here), and a lightly-populated dining room suggest that Molihua did not meet diners’ expectations for a fine dining Japanese restaurant. Perhaps the new concept will be suitable for Houstonians.

Another confusing aspect of Molihua’s quick closure is that chef Ho planned to open a second restaurant at the hotel. Called Duck House by Boon, it was expected to serve a similar menu to his San Francisco restaurant Empress by Boon. Molihua's representatives did not comment on whether those plans are still on track.

news-you-can-eat closings hotels texas medical center

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.”

Courtesy of Jonathan's the Rub

Jonathan's the Rub serves steaks and other dishes.