welcome to the north

Drake-approved pizza and pasta spot bakes up 3rd Houston locale in CityCentre

North is bringing pizza and pasta to CityCentre.

Courtesy of North Italia

Cacio e pepe arancini and white truffle garlic bread are coming to CityCentre. North Italia will open its third Houston-area location in the bustling mixed-use development on Wednesday, February 7.

Part of the nationwide Cheesecake Factory restaurant group, North claimed the former Tasting Room location at 818 Town & Country Blvd. The almost 12,000-square-foot restaurant offers seating for 138 in its dining room and 50 in the bar. Two patios, one on the building’s north side and another on the west, add an additional 142 seats. North opened its first Houston-area location near the Galleria in 2015. An outpost at The Woodlands Mall followed in 2022.

Chef Jairo Gonzalez will be tasked with executing the restaurant’s familiar menu of pizzas, pastas, shareable items, salads, entrees, and more. Highlights include tagliatelle bolognese; The Pig, a pizza topped with salumi, pepperoni, spicy soppressata, and Italian sausage; and a braised short rib served with mascarpone polenta. Pasta and pizza dough are made from scratch daily.

North’s beverage offerings include Italian twists on classic cocktails and a lengthy list of wines by-the-glass. During happy hour, most bottles of wine half-off and craft beers are $5.

Part of the restaurant’s popularity stems from its availability. The restaurant is open daily for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. It offers dine-in, takeout, and delivery via third party apps.

Count Drake as one of North Italia’s fans. The hip-hop superstar caused a minor sensation when he dined at the restaurant’s Galleria-area location in 2016.

North joins a lengthy roster of both locally owned and corporate-owned restaurants in CityCentre. The 47-acre mixed-use development’s restaurant roster includes upscale neighborhood restaurant Daily Gather, South American steakhouse Sal y Pimienta, luxury steakhouse Capital Grille, Grimaldi’s Pizzeria, Hopdoddy Burger Bar, and more.

Those interested in working at the restaurant may attend jobs fairs now through Sunday, January 21. Hours are 10 am to 6 pm Monday – Saturday and 11 am – 4 pm on Sunday (840 W Sam Houston Pkwy, Suite 101).

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blinded with science

New York's science-themed holiday bar shakes up the Museum District

Courtesy of Drunken Lab

Conduct holiday-themed science experiments at the LIT-Mas Spectacular.

A taste of Manhattan has made its way to Houston with the immersive LIT-Mas Spectacular holiday pop-up. From now until January 12, Houstonians can discover the hype behind New York City’s The Drunken Lab that's known for its unique blend of science and cocktails.

This pop-up marks the first expansion for The Drunken Lab’s parent company, Science and Sip, a concept created to make science accessible and unforgettable. Attendees can dive into holiday-themed science experiments — including explosive endothermic reactions — while enjoying festive cocktails in a winter wonderland setting enhanced with a live DJ. Appropriately, the pop-up is located in the Museum District at 4715 Main Street.

“Houston was the perfect next step for Science and Sip,” founder Cautney Nelson said in a statement. “The city’s vibrant culture, love of celebration, and ties to science through world-famous programs like NASA aligns beautifully with our mission to blend entertainment with discovery.”

Visitors enter a world filled with larger-than-life gingerbread decor and candy-inspired installations where light bulbs and laboratory flasks have been transformed into quirky beverage containers. Admission includes one cocktail or mocktail, a lab coat and goggles, and two to three science experiments. Add-ons like cocktail-filled ornament “Booze Balls” and Grinch-inspired pouches in festive red and green add an extra dose of holiday charm.

“We’re thrilled to host guests for an immersive holiday experience that merges festive fun with curiosity,” Nelson added. “With each pop-up, we aim to create a space where a great party and exploration come together, and we’re excited to see how Houston embraces The LIT-Mas Spectacular.”

A portion of the proceeds from LIT-Mas will benefit Millennial Scnce, a nonprofit founded by Nelson that provides students with accessible STEM resources and educational opportunities.

Tickets are available for Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, with showtimes at 2:30 pm, 6 pm, and 9 pm. Private party and group bookings are also available.

Courtesy of Drunken Lab

Conduct holiday-themed science experiments at the LIT-Mas Spectacular.

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