It’s true: t’afia is closed. But only until August 14. That’s when — as chef/owner Monica Pope told us on Wednesday — the restaurant will be reopened with a revamped concept.
It’s also true that our beloved Nabi is on the chopping block, as owner Ji Kang confirmed to Eater Houston. However, just because Kang is looking to leave Nabi, it doesn’t mean that Nabi in its current incarnation won’t continue on in some capacity — nor that Austin-born Kang is leaving Houston. Instead, sources tell us that Kang has something even more exciting up his sleeve to come.
In other closures, CultureMap reported that Zimm’s Little Deck — which had looked dreadfully quiet as of late, and lost its chef, Jeramie Robison, last year — finally closed.
In its place will be Brooklyn Athletic Club, a new venture from Shepard Ross of Glass Wall. CultureMap’s Sarah Rufca writes of the new spot: “Ross describes the concept as a ‘really cool leisure spot’ that will have a turn-of-the-century leisure club vibe mixed with casual riffs on classic food and drinks.” We’re just glad to see someone doing something with those bocce ball courts.
Lastly, the Chronicle reported earlier this week that Strip House closed its doors after being locked out by its landlord. No word yet on what restaurant, if any, will take its spot.
Finally, two big changes have taken place at two popular eateries: BRC Gastropub has hired a new head chef to replace Jeff Axline, who left in late 2010 (owner Lance Fegen has been holding down the kitchen in the interim). New chef Chandler Rothbard joins BRC from The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. Rothbard studied at the CIA in Hyde Park and served for three years in the United States Army.
And over at Revival Market, there are three new additions to the team: Carlos Meltzer has been named general manager; Adam Dorris has been named the chef de cuisine; and Andrew Vaserfirer has returned after an absence to oversee the store’s charcuterie program. Vaserfirer — who originally worked with the Revival Market meat team in 2011 — is fresh from a stint in Chicago, where he staged at L2O, Blackbird and Publican Quality Meats. Dorris was most recently the chef de cuisine at Stella Sola and is noted for his well-attended Ghetto Dinners at Grand Prize Bar.
So here’s the month in openings and closings…
Openings
024 Grille, 945 N. Gessner, 281-501-4350
BB’s Cafe, 3139 Richmond, 713-807-1300
Bonefish Grill, 19325 Gulf Freeway
Chicken Express, 3819 Richmond, 713-626-5392
Coastal Crossing Grill, 113 E. Sealy, Alvin
Crazy J’s Icehouse, 5022 Pinemont, 713-683-6700
Demeris Barbecue, 1702 West Loop North, 713-681-7204
Floyd’s Cajun Seafood and Texas Steakhouse, 16549 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land, 281-240-3474
Hey Mikey’s Ice Cream, 902 Post Office, Galveston, 208-602-3286
Luke’s Ice House, 903 Durham, 281-888-7028
Mamak Malaysian Restaurant, 9889 Bellaire, Suite 238, 713-776-2388
The Perfect Cafe, 13455 Cutten, 281-397-7779
The Refinery – Burgers & Whiskey, 702 West Dallas, 713-487-0029
Rooster’s, 20011 Cypresswood Drive, Cypress, 832-405-3547
Solea Wine Bar & Cafe, 1500 Shepherd, 713-862-9700
Submarina California Subs, 6245 Highway 6 Suite 300, Missouri City, 281-969-7033
The West End, 5320 Westheimer, 713-590-0616
Closings
Ava Kitchen & Whiskey Bar, 2800 Kirby
The Barbed Rose, 113 E. Sealy, Alvin
Cafe Del Rio, 1853 Pearland Parkway, Pearland
Coronita Grill Buffet & Bar, 12270 Westheimer
Frenchy’s Chicken, 8110 Kirby
Korma Sutra, 706 Main
Jake’s Grill, 9415 Broadway, Pearland
Nga’s Restaurant, 2929 Milam
The Perfect Cup, 14459 Bammel North Houston
Pierson’s Cajun & Country Cafe, 3843 Cartwright, Missouri City
Sam Star Chinese & Japanese Buffet, 2753 Gessner
Samba Grille, 530 Texas
Strip House, 1200 McKinney
t’afia, 3701 Travis (reopening August 14)
TGI Friday’s, 12830 Northwest Freeway
Tuscan Sun Coffee Co., 21327 I-45, Spring
Zimm’s Little Deck, 601 Richmond
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This article appears in Aug 2-8, 2012.