new york state of mind

Jewish bagel shop owners shutter their Bellaire NYC-inspired restaurant after just 2 years

New York Eatery will close next week.

Photo by Becca Wright

A Bellaire restaurant will close after less than two years in business. New York Eatery will close on Monday, May 14, owners Michael Saghian and Riana Sherman announced.

Notably, the Bagel Shop Bakery, the bakery and cafe from the same owners that’s adjacent to New York Eatery, will remain open. The original, Meyerland location of the Bagel Shop Bakery and its companion New York Deli & Coffee Shop — both staples of Houston’s Jewish community for more than 40 years — will also remain in operation. In addition, New York Eatery will honor all of its existing reservations for private events.

Opened in October 2021, New York Eatery attempted to build on the success of New York Deli & Coffee Shop with an expanded menu that included dinner entrees, more vegetarian options, and a full cocktail menu. It also offered substantially more room than the deli, with a capacity of over 200 people. Simply put, its owners decided to focus on more profitable ventures.

“We started construction on the Eatery pre-covid,” Saghian said in a statement. “So much has changed from then until now and although we had high hopes for the Eatery, we realize that our energies are better channeled through our work in the bakery, at Hillcroft, and especially in our thriving catering operation.”

Indeed, those other businesses are successful enough that New York Eatery’s remaining employees will be offered positions within them. To make up for the closure, the Bellaire location of the Bagel Shop Bakery may add some of the Eatery's dishes to its menu, assuming they can be modified to comply with the cafe operating under strict kosher guidelines.

“We’re in the restaurant business, but we’re more so in the people business, so this all feels like a natural progression — and a way to serve our community better,” Saghian added. “We are incredibly grateful for all of our customers, the memories made at New York Eatery, and the lessons we learned through this process. The future is bright and we’re excited to continue building on our successes and feed our community the same incredible food we’ve served for 48 years, made with love.”

New York Eatery’s closure comes at a time when restaurant openings are on the upswing in Bellaire. In addition to the established, nationally-recognized Blood Bros. BBQ, the area has welcomed new additions such as CultureMap Tastemaker Award Best New Restaurant nominee Aya Sushi and Mandito’s, a casual Tex-Mex restaurant from the owners of River Oaks favorite Armandos. A second location of Midtown burger favorite Lankford Grocery is expected to open soon.

closings news-you-can-eat

ADD TO CART

H-E-B names 3 innovative Houston food companies among 'Texas Best'

H-E-B Quest for Texas Best Hive Food Co.

Photo courtesy of H-E-B

Hive Food Co. is known for its infused honey.

After months of pouring over video submissions, H-E-B is entering the final leg of its annual grocery games. The San Antonio-based supermarket chain has narrowed down the finalists for its annual Quest for Texas Best competition, including three from Houston.

Ten innovative Texas entrepreneurs were chosen from a record-breaking 978 entries representing more than 500 companies spread across the Lone Star State.

Now in its 13th year, the contest asks Texas small businesses to put their best foot forward for the chance to win a combined $100,000 in cash prizes and the opportunity to be stocked on H-E-B shelves. Since the competition's beginning, the grocer has discovered more than 1,000 unique products, many of which have become literal household names.

“Quest for Texas Best is more than a competition; it is a launchpad for Texas entrepreneurs,” said James Harris, senior director of diversity & inclusion and supplier diversity for H‑E‑B, in a release. “H‑E‑B began as a small business, and we know firsthand how powerful the right opportunity can be.”

This year, the San Antonio and Houston regions were at the head of the pack with three finalist nods each. But the entrepreneurs hailed from all over the state — from border town Roma to Fort Worth suburb Haltom City. The top 10 hopefuls include:

Boerne — Coley’s Foods Inc., a frozen cookie dough company
Floresville — Dean & Peeler Meats, a beef producer known for its smoked Gouda sausage and Angus tallow
San Antonio — WFN Foods, maker of heat-and-serve taco fillings like beef barbacoa, pork carnitas, and carne guisada
Roma — In Your Smokin' Face, a spice company specializing in bold chile piquín and carne asada blends
Haltom City — Sol Dias, a gourmet paleta and Mexican ice cream company
Glenn Heights — Uncle Marc’s, a manufacturer of barbecue seasonings, rubs, and sauces
Houston — Doggie Express, a small-batch maker of decorated treats for canine celebrations
Houston — Big Bayou Cocktail Sauce, a saucy supplier branching out to Bloody Mary and margarita mixes
Houston — Hive Food Co., beekeepers known for gourmet infused honey
Bastrop — La Fregona, creators of a chile sauce for elotes and esquites

The final contenders will pitch their products on October 8 at H-E-B's headquarters in San Antonio, where judges will determine the top four winning products and award $50,000 to the Grand Prize winner and the "Texas Best" title — an honor that guarantees placement on H-E-B store shelves.

The first-place winner will receive $25,000, the second-place winner will receive $15,000, and the third-place winner will receive $10,000.

Since 2014, H-E-B has handed out nearly $2.75 million in prize money to Texas entrepreneurs. But Quest for Texas Best isn’t just about capital: the winners receive marketing, mentoring, and supplemental support to grow their brands. Fifty-five Texas small businesses that took part in the contest have achieved $1 million in sales and earned a commemorative H-E-B Million Dollar Club belt buckle.

supermarkets h-e-b gourmet foods packaged goods grocery stores