this bird has flown

Southwestern-inspired Houston restaurant will close after 28 years

The Raven Grill will close on March 29.

A restaurant that has served the neighborhoods near Rice University for almost 30 years will soon shutter. The Raven Grill announced it will close on Sunday, March 29.

In a statement posted to social media, owners Sara and Rob Cromie stated the landlord declined to renew the restaurant’s lease. Picnic, the Raven’s sister companion coffee shop, deli, and bakery, will remain open.

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Open since 1998 in the Boulevard Oaks neighborhood, the Raven is a casual restaurant devoted to Southwestern fare. It’s known for dishes such as a Spicy Southwestern Caesar, pecan-crusted chicken with ancho cream sauce, and blackened chicken pasta. Meats, including steaks and burgers, are cooked on a mesquite-fueled, wood-burning grill.

In addition to the Raven and Picnic, the Cromies have been involved in a number of other concepts, including Cottonwood and La Grange, the Mexican-inspired patio bar in Montrose that closed in 2024.

The past few months have seen a number of Houston restaurants close after 20 or more years in business. They include Paulie’s, an Italian restaurant in Montrose, and Grand Lux Cafe. Picos, a Mexican restaurant that opened in 1984, is currently looking for a new location to replace the Kirby address it has occupied since 2014.

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All-day Mexican cafe known for açaí bowls sets Woodlands opening date

Courtesy of Ojo de Agua

Ojo de Agua is known for its acai bowls.

A Mexico City-based all-day cafe has arrived in The Woodlands. Ojo de Agua will celebrate its grand opening this Thursday, June 18.

Located near Trader Joe’s at 10720 Kuykendahl Rd., the new location builds on the success of Ojo de Agua’s location in River Oaks District that opened in May 2023. The restaurant is known for its fresh, healthy fare paired with a lively atmosphere.

“We’ve always wanted Ojo de Agua to feel welcoming, energizing, and approachable, a place guests can visit for morning coffee, lunch with friends, or an evening cocktail,” co-founder Rafa Montero said in a statement. “The Woodlands felt like a natural next step for us because of the community’s appreciation for quality, lifestyle, and hospitality.”

Open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Ojo de Agua has a wide-ranging menu of Mexican-inspired fare. Mornings begin with dishes such as açaí bowls, chilaquiles, and avocado toast — all of which can be paired with freshly squeezed juices, smoothies, or coffee.

Courtesy of Ojo de Agua

Ojo de Agua is known for its acai bowls.

At lunch and dinner, look for salads, sandwiches, and ceviches. Specific dishes include the octopus and cauliflower mole salad, Mexican bowl (brown rice with ribeye, vegetables, cotija, guacamole, and more), lobster grilled cheese, mahi mahi tacos, and tropical ceviche (tuna, mango, and avocado marinated in soy sauce with chili garlic, lime, and green apple). Pair them with cocktails, beer, wine, or non-alcoholic beverages.

“From the beginning, Ojo de Agua was created around the idea that fresh food, genuine hospitality, and beautiful spaces can positively shape the way people gather and connect,” Montero said. “After the incredible response we received in River Oaks, we are excited to introduce the brand to The Woodlands and become part of such a vibrant and growing community.”

On Thursday, Ojo de Agua will open at 9:30 am. It will stay open through Mexico’s World Cup match against South Korea that begins at 8 pm.

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