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    food hall news to know

    Downtown food hall news to know now: Farewell to Brooklyn pizzeria, diverse newcomers, and more

    Eric Sandler
    Jul 14, 2023 | 9:50 am

    Downtown’s food halls regularly add and subtract restaurants. Recently, three of them — Bravery Chef Hall, Post Market, and Finn Hall — have announced significant changes. Let’s take a brief look at the comings and goings.

    Post Market

    Roberta’s, the Brooklyn-based pizzeria, quietly closed last week. Despite still being listed on the company’s website, all signage has been removed and it was closed during the food hall’s normal business hours.

    Opened in March 2022, Roberta’s served an abbreviated version of the restaurant’s menu, including signature pies such as the Famous Original, margherita, and the Bee Sting, topped with soppressata, chili, and honey. The location eared some local acclaim — including a spot on Houston Chronicle critic Alison Cook’s list of 2022’s best new restaurants — but doesn’t appear to have generated sufficient support to remain viable.

    CultureMap has contacted Roberta’s to inquire about the reasons for the closure and whether the restaurant has any future plans in Houston. We will update this article when they reply.

    Twisted Grilled Cheese has opened its fourth Houston-area location at Post Market. It joins the restaurant’s locations in Katy, Memorial City Mall, and on Washington Avenue.

    First launched as a food truck in 2019, Twisted Grilled Cheese serves decadent grilled cheese sandwiches that utilize multiple cheese blends matched with fillings that include halal Philly cheesesteak, smoked beef brisket, and Buffalo chicken. New dishes for the Post location include a turkey and ham grilled cheese, a Philly cheesesteak on a hoagie roll, and the Twisted Pig, which is a grilled cheese made with ham, bacon, and pepperoni.

    The menu also includes sides such as loaded french fries topped with either brisket or halal Philly steak, tomato basil soup, sweet potato fries. Dessert options include double chocolate chip cookies, cheesecake doughnut holes, and four milkshakes.

    Finn Hall

    Located in the Jones on Main building (712 Main Street), the food hall will welcome two new vendors that will bring it up 100-percent leased. The food hall’s current roster includes Carol Kay, Craft Burger, Papalo Taqueria, Pizza Zquare, Maui Bento, FireNoodz, Swallow’s Nest, Cranky Carrot Juice Co., and The Smoke

    Artistry will debut in August. Described in press materials as combining “the aura and flavors of a European café,” it will serve sandwiches, salads, and breakfast items.

    Three Keys Coffee will follow in September. It’s the first coffee shop for the local coffee roaster whose beans can currently be found at establishments such as Mo’ Better Brews, The Tipping Point, and Giant Leap Coffee.

    Bravery Chef Hall

    Bahn Bahn Thai Food drunken noodles

    Photo by Dylan McEwan

    Bahn Bahn Thai Food will serve drunken noodles.

    This food hall in the Aris Market Square luxury high-rise will welcome three new establishments in the coming weeks. They’ll join the food hall’s existing concepts: Kokoro, Drunken Pho, Figo Sugo, Margaux's Oyster Bar and Soho Garden.

    First up is C3 Cafe. Located in the former Italian Job space near the Travis Street entrance, the lounge will serve coffee, cocktails, and edible cannabis projects when it opens later this month. Sean Beck, formerly the beverage director for H-Town Restaurant Group (Hugo’s, Caracol, etc.), is consulting for the cafe.

    “I'm delighted to be consulting for the passionate group of folks behind C3,” Beck said in a statement. “They have a clear-cut goal for crafting a concept that takes a thoughtful, high standard approach to providing top-notch coffee, mocktails, and cocktails while making an environment where they can provide real information and access to quality, licensed cannabis products. I have always loved learning about the many elements of the beverage world and the new paths that keep opening.”

    Bahn Bahn Thai Food will open in August. Located in the former Calavera/Cherry Block space, Bahn — the Thai word for “home” — will serve shareable dishes such as coconut shrimp salad, pad thai, and drunken noodles.

    Florence and a Machine will also open in August. Located in the former Gaganeau space next to the wine bar, Florence will serve sandwiches on freshly-baked focaccia bread and charcuterie boards. It’s led by former Grotto chef Erik Cruz.

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    water, water everywhere

    The quest for a Topo Chico replacement — we rate 9 sparkling waters

    Eric Sandler
    Apr 17, 2026 | 2:59 pm
    Sparkling water taste
    Photo by Eric Sandler
    We purchased sparkling water at five stores across the inner loop.

    Topo Chico drinkers nationwide are in a bit of a tizzy. Coca-Cola, which acquired the cult-favorite sparkling mineral water in 2017, announced that the product will be unavailable for at least the next few months.

    CNN reports the shortage is due to “facility upgrades at the water source and production facilities in Mexico.”

    “We are now making further investments at the source to improve source stability and quality and enable increased production, requiring us to temporarily stop production,” Coca-Cola said in a letter to CNN.

    For Topo Chico fans, the shortage brings an obvious question. What should a person drink until the supply is restored? Or, what’s a permanent replacement that will avoid this issue altogether?

    After collecting suggestions from people via Instagram, I went to Spec’s and inner loop grocery stores to purchase nine varieties of sparkling water with one goal in mind — find something that’s similar enough to Topo Chico that it will earn a spot in my refrigerator.

    In the interests of science, I only included sparkling water brands that are similar in size (approximately 12-ounce bottles) and price (between $1 and $1.50 per bottle). Whenever possible, I purchased glass bottles instead of cans or plastic. Although many are available in flavors, I only purchased unflavored waters. All waters were chilled overnight in a refrigerator prior to tasting.

    Sparkling water taste test Each water was chilled overnight prior to tasting.Photo by Eric Sandler

    Not surprisingly, my top three choices came down to two other Mexican sparkling waters and a convincing dupe from H-E-B.

    Most Similar to Topo Chico

    Agua de Piedra
    Purchased from Spec’s (can also be found at La Michocana), this water from Nuevo Leon, Mexico can be found at several restaurants and coffee shops around town. It offers both strong carbonation and just enough saltiness to satisfy a Topo craving. As long as I can source it reliably, this will be my new house water.

    Mineragua
    Available at both Whole Foods Market and H-E-B, this water from Jarritos is almost as carbonated as Topo Chico. Its flavor profile is salty with a slight, citrus-style acidity. I prefer the flavor of Agua de Piedra, but others may like this more.

    1877 Mineral Water by H-E-B
    H-E-B’s house brand sparkling mineral water is sourced from Texas, in Mineral Wells. It has carbonation that persists from opening until finishing. Its slightly salty flavor will be welcomed by Topo Chico drinkers. Overall, it’s probably the best choice for more people, since it’s so readily available.

    Less Like Topo, but Still Tasty

    Rambler Sparkling Water
    This mineral water from Austin is available everywhere, including many restaurants and bars. Since it's only available in cans, its more mild carbonation doesn’t match Topo Chico’s; however, it has a lightly salty taste that makes it very refreshing. This is a good option for those who find Topo to be too fizzy.

    Tehuacan
    Purchased at Central Market, this water is sourced from springs within Citlaltépetl, Mexico’s highest mountain. The mountain’s volcanic rock gives the water a noticeable saltiness with a slightly sour taste. Although it wasn’t quite to my taste, its strong carbonation and distinct flavor could appeal to other Topo devotees.

    Private Selection Sparkling Mineral Water
    Available at Kroger, this water is neither as carbonated nor as salty as Topo Chico. Still, it has enough fizz and minerality to do in a pinch, particularly for people who prefer shopping at Kroger over other grocery stores.

    Your Mileage May Vary

    Richard’s Sparkling Rainwater
    Admittedly, a non-mineral water was unlikely to emerge as a favorite in this taste test. Since it’s made with filtered rainwater, Richard’s has a very clean taste and a mild level of carbonation.

    Saratoga Carbonated Spring Water
    Like Richard’s, this water is too lightly carbonated and too mildly flavored to satisfy a Topo craving. Still, it’s clean and refreshing, which could appeal to non-Topo drinkers.

    I’ve Had Better

    Liquid Death Mountain Water (Sparkling)
    Bland and flat-tasting, this water was the only one I wouldn’t purchase again. Maybe the flavored versions are better.

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