Aroma, 1800 Post Oak Boulevard, opens November 14 in Uptown Houston. At the helm is famed executive pastry chef Salvatore Martone, whose work for the multi Michelin-starred Bastion Collection includes leading the pastry programs at L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon and Le Jardinier, plus guiding the culinary vision for Seia, an Italian restaurant and private members cub with OKO Group.
Now, the Italian-born Martone is turning his hand to a very personal project, that of making Neapolitan pizza that draws on his years of experience with dough, fermentation and breadmaking. Growing up just outside of Naples, Martone grew up with the pizza culture, spending evenings at a friend’s pizzeria, learning the traditions of authentic Neapolitan pies. To rekindle the memories of his days in Italy, Martone has brought along a 55-year-old sourdough starter to share a tasty piece of Italy with Houston.
Using the starter as a foundation block, the chef and his team put the dough through a 72-hour process, allowing it to build its flavor. It is then shaped by hand and popped into Aroma’s Mugnaini oven for a mere 120 seconds. It emerges with a blistery, airy crust with the signature “leopard spotting” of a true neapolitan pizza.
Some of the classics include the Margherita DOC, topped with San Marzano tomatoes and fior di latte. There’s also the Prosciutto with parmesan and cherry tomato, plus a piquant Diavola with soppressata and hot honey. Other pies include the Straciatella, with mortadella and pistachio pesto, and the Affumicata, topped with brisket and smoked scamorza cheese.
Pizza is not the only Neapolitan item on the menu. Guests will find other Italian delights like grilled artichokes with lemon and herbs, fried zucchini and pasta dishes such as linguina vongole, cacio e pepe and a rich Italian version of macaroni and cheese using gnocchi.
And of course, there’s dessert. Shareables like fried pizza dough with Nutella and a Build-Your-Own Sundae round out a meal with family or friends.
And that’s what Martone is going for, beyond just amazing pizza. He says, “Growing up, so much of life happened around the table: sharing pizza, a glass of wine, and being in good company. That’s the feeling I want to bring to Aroma.”
ChopnBlok, 1085 Gessner, is planning to open a new location at MetroNationalโs Greenside Memorial in summer 2027. It will be the third location for chef Ope Amosuโs vibrant West African dining concept. Amosu, a James Beard Award finalist for best Chef: Texas, was raised in southwest Houston and bringing the restaurant to West Houston, an area that is full of cultural communities representing the West African diaspora, is personal to him. He said in a press release, โ Bringing ChopnBlok to West Houston feels like a homecomingโฆTo bring something Iโve built back to a community that Helped shape me is incredibly meaningful.โ
ChponBlok began as a pop-up, before opening as a food stall within the POST Houston in 2021. Amosu opened the second location, a brick and mortar stand alone, in Montrose in fall 2024. With the memorial spot, the chef and his team plan to explore new techniques and dishes that have evolved from some of the Montrose locationsโ collaborative dinners and special events. However, the menu will still feature the same popular items for which his distinctive brand is known.
The space will also allow for a larger dining room and a dedicated patio.
The Foundry at JW Marriott Houston Downtown, 806 Main, is now open. The redesigned and renamed lobby restaurant has expanded seating for 115 guests with an interior inspired by the historic buildingโs original riveted Carnegie steel I-beams. Mixing industrial chic with warm woods, marble tabletops and lush plantings, the high-ceiling space is dramatic, with a stylish marble-backed bar and busy open kitchen.ย
The three meal service begins with breakfast with items like churro waffles, breakfast tacos and cage-free egg dishes. The lunch menu features burgers, tacos, sandwiches, and salads while the dinner offerings extend to entrees such as steak frites, Gulf snapper and wild mushroom ragout. There is also a dedicated bar menu of bites like Latin chicken skewers and yucca cheese fritters.
The Perch, a rooftop restaurant and pool lounge at JW Marriott, will soon follow December 1. Its menu is also led by executive chef Rafael Gonzales, who is responsible for the menu at The Foundry. Drawing on its destination-inspired decor, it will offer dishes like Gulf shrimp and octopus campechana, Michoacan carnitas tacos and salsa macha sliders.
Cocktails will echo the vacation vibes with choices like Golden Hour, with rum, lime, orange and bitters, or Apiary, a tequila and sotol drink made with honey from the hotelโs adopted bee colony, managed by Beewise.
Based around the stunning pool deck, ten stories above downtown Houston, the annex project was designed by Houston-based Rottet Studio.
Pythagoras, 1710 W. 18th, opened softly November 1 in the Heights. Itโs a relocation for the restaurant which closed its Sugar Land location this past summer. Opened in 2022 by couple Roozi and Jaime Avokhani, the vegan restaurant takes its cue from many Greek philosophers, including Pythagoras, that eschew eating animals.
The alien theme of the Sugar Land restaurant continues at the new spot which also brings over many of the favorite menu items like fried mushrooms, sugar cane bone-in wings and vegan pizzas. There are large shareable platters like the Prince of Persia with kabobs, falafel, tzatziki, hummus, torshi, basmati rice and naan.
Coco Crepes & Coffee, 7040 Elyson Exchange Way, will celebrate its grand opening November 14 with a family-friendly event with face painting, balloon animals and special promotions. From 7 a.m. to 11 a.m., attendees can enjoy a complimentary Nutella crepe or Berry Smoothie and the promotion will also run from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. There will also be giveaways.
Coco Crepe is one of the first to open in the Elyson Town Center development and the 11th for the brand in the Houston area. Founder Youssef Nafaa, CEO of Bella Restaurants Group, opened the first crepe and coffee shop in 2005. The new Elyson location is owned by franchisees Giana Gozzo and Antonio Ventura. Gozzo designed the space still incorporating the cheerful yellow and brown colors of the brand. Thereโs even a kidsโ area with books and smaller tables.
The restaurant serves both savory and sweet crepes, specialty coffees, panini, salads and soup. There are a few gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options as well.
City Orchard, 1201 Oliver, will have its final day at its current location November 22. Having outgrown its current spot, the cider company is moving operations to Gulf Coast Distillers in Houstonโs East End. While its production is moving, it will also open two new taprooms in partnership with other local breweries, while maintaining ownership. Its flagship taproom will have a grand opening January 15 at Tejas Brewery, 2101 Summer, which happens to be the companyโs 7th anniversary. City Orchard also plans to open a taproom in the East End at Giant Texas Distillers, 5610 Clinton.
The Angry Elephant, 22756 Westheimer Parkway, opened October 23 in Cinco Ranch. The politically-themed eatery and bar, which has a number of locations across Texas, has a lineup of hot dogs and burgers with politically humorous names such as the Bill Clinton Dirty Chili Cheese Dog or Freedom Toast. There are also โliberally-poured cocktails at conservative prices.โ
Dutch Bros. Kingwood, 1261 Kingwood, had its grand opening November 5. The stand alone kiosk has both a drive-thru and pick-up window. Known for its classic coffee drinks and iced lattes, its menu also features a multitude of beverages including lemonades, teas, protein coffee, Rebel energy drinks and blended freezes.
