Exilio Latin Flair, 2817 W. Dallas, quietly opened for dinner this week in the Harlow District. The much-anticipated restaurant comes from Bari Hospitality known for Bari Ristorante and the acquisition and reimagining of Georgia James.
The diverse menu covers the culinary traditions of Mexico, Central America, South America, Spain and the Caribbean, using fresh seafood and produce, along with less-familiar indigenous ingredients. With flame-grilled meats from Argentina and seafood sourced from the Yucatan, South America and the Mediterranean, the menu celebrates unique Latin flavors while incorporating European techniques and creative plating.
Starters include fried calamari that uses chickpea coating for a different twist and carpaccio made with thinly-sliced beef lomo, drizzled with avocado truffle aioli. There are several empanada choices, plus a variety of ceviches and crudos like Dover sole ceviche and tuna aguachile. Entrees such as mesquite-grilled butterflied branzino, chicken mole and beef tenderloin Milanese, give options for both seafood and meat lovers.
To round out a special meal, the dessert menu includes tres leches, with an ancho-infused strawberry compote, plus pistachio flan and coconut panna cotta.
The team at Bari Hospitality turned to Carlos Castroparedes for the interior design. He also led the design of Bari River Oaks. The group, which includes Pedro Teyuca, Tommy Nally and Renato di Pirro, are planning a second location of Bari Ristorante in The Woodlands later this spring.
Dinner reservations for Exilio are now open. Next week, the restaurant will launch its dinner service and weekend brunch.
Pep’s Backyard, 13111 State Highway 6 S., is shooting to open this fall in Sugar Land. Located in the Imperial Entertainment District, this massive venue will provide fun and activities for adults, kids and pets. Situated just steps from Constellation Field, home of the Sugar Land Space Cowboys, it’s a convenient spot for pre or post-game entertainment, as well as being a live music destination on its own.
The $5 million dollar complex has already broken ground and its 18,000 square feet of space is set to be a giant backyard for the community. Founded by Lisa and Cory Hidalgo, the venue will feature both local and national musical acts, a rotating lineup of food trucks and vendors, plus a large bar with 30 taps, mixed drinks and frozen cocktails.
While there will be a dedicated kid zone and dog area with spaces designed specifically for children and pets, there will also be a rooftop area, overlooking the Imperial District, designed for adults 21 and up only. A massive 26-foot outdoor screen and more than 20 televisions provide sports viewing.
The Hidlagos wanted to create a place that reflects the vibrant community spirit of Sugar Land. In a press release, co-founder Cory Hidalgo said, “From hosting some of the biggest names in music to providing a great spot for the game, we’re more than just a venue; we’re your new favorite place to hang out.”
Graze Craze Charcuterie, 7925 Katy Freeway, opened this week in the Memorial-Galleria area. The new location is owned and operated by David Richardson, a financial executive who is taking an entrepreneurial chance on the ever-popular charcuterie and grazing trend. He says, “Grazing has become increasingly popular for its balance of fresh ingredients, convenience and presentation. Our boards are designed to bring people together and make every occasion feel special.”
In addition to handcrafted charcuterie boards like the Gone Grazey, with meats and cheese, and the veggie-filled Vegegrazian, there are dessert boards such as Sweet & Grazey, with chocolate, fruit, cookies and dips. The 1,100 square-foot-store also offers grab-and-go options.
The shop is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Golden Chick, 2008 S. Wayside opened April 6, followed by another, 11418 S. Sam Houston Parkway E., April 7. The new additions bring the total Houston stores to 21.
The Wayside restaurant is the fourth for brothers Raj and Karan Korpal, who operate three other Golden Chicks in Beaumont, Orange and Port Arthur. And the duo are planning nearly a dozen more across Texas. Its proximity to the University of Houston means that students will have access to fried tenders and chicken sandwiches when the craving hits, from breakfast to late night. It’s open Sunday through Thursday, from 6 a.m. to midnight, and Friday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m.
The Sam Houston Parkway store is owned and operated by Ayaz Ali, who is no stranger to the Golden Chick franchise. This will be his third restaurant, open Monday through Wednesday, from 10 a.m. to midnight, and Thursday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m.
Tortilleria y Taqueria de la Cruz, 10966 Grant, is expected to open this spring in the stand-alone spot which previously housed a Golden Chick that closed after just a year. This is the second location for the Mexican restaurant and tortilla factory, which originated in Baytown. The cuisine is home-style cooking with options like quesabirria, tortas, street tacos and legit tacos de trompo. The menu also features pollo asado, half or whole, plus thick-cut chicharron and barbacoa by the pound. Weekend dishes include authentic menudo and tripe.
Best Regards, 222 W. 11th, just launched its weekend brunch. The cocktail lounge is serving the special menu Saturday and Sunday, from noon to 4 p.m., perfect for late risers. The brunch specialties are split into Slim Margins (macro-friendly and low calorie) and Write-Offs, indulgent plates for cheat days.
The slim menu features choices like avocado toast on sourdough, a carne asada omelette, smoked salmon on Dave’s Killer bagel and a crispy hashbrown loaded with turkey sausage and a poached egg. The indulgent plates include fried chicken & beignets (oh, yeah) and an intriguing birria croque madame.
The brunch cocktails are even more exciting with refreshing drinks such as Breakfast Buzz, made with peanut butter tequila and Slowpokes espresso, and Liquid Vacation, a butterfly pea flower-infused rum cocktail with tropical flavors. The Build Your Own Bloody lets brunch-ees create their own tomato juice cocktail with a selection of toppings.
44 Farms, the Texas-based and family-owned ranch that provides numerous Houston restaurants with its premium Angus beef, has now launched a line of All-Natural Angus Beef Franks. Made with USDA Choice and Prime Black Angus cuts, the weenies have no fillers, no by-products, no MSG, no added nitrites and no added hormones.
The franks are available at Walmart stores across Texas, including Houston, as well as Arkansas and Louisiana.
Hotel ZaZa has appointed a new corporate executive chef to oversee culinary operations at its four Texas properties, including two in Houston. Chad Blunston will direct the programming, menu development and team training to ensure a consistent and elevated dining experience at each hotel’s signature restaurants.
Blunston’s previous experience includes serving as vice-president of culinary at HM Alpha Hotels & Resorts. The Houston restaurants include Monarch at ZaZa Museum District and Tipping Point at ZaZa Memorial City.
