Italian restaurant shutters

Promising Montrose Italian restaurant closing after less than a year

Pastore is closing this weekend.

Photo by Alex Montoya

So many new Italian restaurants have opened in Houston recently that some sort of shakeup seemed inevitable, and that day has come. One of last year’s most promising newcomers has come to an abrupt end.

Pastore Italian Kitchen announced it will close after service on Saturday, March 23. Located next to Georgia James in the Regent Square mixed-use development, the Italian-inspired seafood restaurant opened at the end of June and served a menu of pastas, small plates, pizzas, and entrees such as porchetta and roast fish.

Underbelly Hospitality released a statement about the decision to close Pastore. It reads in part:

Closing a restaurant is never easy. We exasperated several options and ultimately this was the path we had to take. Despite this closure, we are confident in our Company and want to focus our efforts on what we do best – delivering an elevated dining experience with high-quality food and exceptional service. We sincerely appreciate the support of the community and look forward to seeing patrons – existing and new – in our dining rooms at Georgia James, Wild Oats, Comalito and Underbelly Burger.

The statement added that Pastore’s current employees have been offered other positions in the company. Underbelly will maintain the lease on the space and use it for private events. “We are exploring various options [for the space], including developing a sustainable concept in the future,” it adds.

Pastore’s closure comes as a surprise. After a turbulent period that saw the departure of founder Chris Shepherd and the closure of concepts such as GJ Tavern and UB Preserv, Underbelly Hospitality appeared to be on an upswing. Not only had it successfully opened its first new concepts since Shepherd’s departure — including a Spring Branch location of Texas comfort food restaurant Wild Oats and Comalito, a Mexico City-inspired taqueria from chefs Luis Robledo Richards and Atzin Santos — Pastore had earned positive media attention, such as a nomination for Best New Restaurant in the CultureMap Tastemaker Awards and a positive review from Houston Chronicle food critic Alison Cook.

This year has gotten off to a rocky start, with a number of restaurant closures. They include Buffalo Bayou Brewing Company, acclaimed seafood restaurant Golfstrommen, Harold’s in the Heights, and Dozier’s BBQ.

news-you-can-eat closings

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.