It was quite an exciting week for many anticipated restaurant openings. Some are still in the soft opening stage, like Common Bond, but others have officially opened to the public, like Preview Modern Seafood Cuisine.
This new Sugar Land restaurant at 4645 Highway 6, Unit C, was in the soft opening stage as of May 12 and operating as BYOB, but as noted on the Facebook page, Preview will receive its TABC license this weekend. Diners can expect cold plate options of east coast sea uni and ceviche chips 'n dip; entrée selections feature "KFT" Kentucky Fried Taihitian Big Eye Tuna, and smoked yellowtail and apple tortellini.
The Egg & I also opened in Sugar Land at 9920 Highway 90-A. This breakfast and lunch franchise focuses on all things eggs (what would give you that idea?) Diners can feast on a variety of Eggs Benedicts, from artichoke Florentine to crab cake, as well as breakfast sandwiches, burritos and omelettes. Waffles, pancakes and French toast are also available.
Ninja Ramen (4219 Washington) is now open, serving dinner until 2 a.m. on weekdays (except on Monday because it is closed) and until 3 a.m. on weekends. CultureMap Houston notes that you can now pair those ninja-named cocktails with bowls of the signature pork-based tonkotsu ramen complete with a hard-boiled egg half, shallots, pickled bamboo and garlic oil. Ninja Ramen has not released an official menu, and when asked what's on the menu, the usual response is "ramen."
Eric Sandler of CultureMap revealed this week that highly anticipated Common Bond, at 1706 Westheimer, will officially open on Tuesday, May 20, and will operate from 7 a.m. until midnight each day Tuesday through Sunday after its soft opening stage. Executive chef Roy Shvartzapel has created a sweet and savory menu, but the fan-favorite so far seems to be the kugelhopf, a sweet bread/pastry shaped like a mini bundt cake -- yum.
We're stalking Siphon Coffee's Facebook page just as you probably are; we want to know when this new coffee shop will finally open! Rice Village Flea asked on Facebook when the 701 W. Alabama coffee shop would be open and Siphon Coffee responded, "Very soon my friend...hopefully by next week."
The Greenway Plaza Bambu Desserts & Drinks opened at 3825 Richmond. Bambu serves milk teas in a variety of flavors such as passion fruit, honeydew, coffee, almond and grass jelly, along with cold drinks such as chai tea, café mocha and Vietnamese coffee, all perfect to quench your thirst this summer.
Austin-import Daily Juice opened its first Houston location at 6401 Woodway Dr., Ste. 175, on Friday, May 9. Daily Juice offers smoothies, cold-pressed juices, salads, and other foods to "grab and go."
Another VERTS opened in the Houston area. This new location is located in Vintage Market at 15556 Cutten Road.
As we mentioned last week, another Dunkin' Donuts/Baskin-Robbins will open across the street from West Oaks Mall at 2808 Highway 6 S, Ste. B, this morning at 9 a.m. with grand opening celebrations and activities, as well as a cup-stacking contest. The Dunkin' Donuts takeover of Houston continues.
In more expansion news, Niko Niko's announced on May 9 that the Greek restaurant will open another location in Pearland. The third Niko Niko's will be located inside the H-E-B at Highway 288 and FM 518; it is expected to open in July.
Did we miss any openings or closings? Let us know in the comments section and we will be sure to include them in next week's report.
