Openings and Closings: 2009 Edition

The year gone by marked some very exciting restaurant openings (such as Haven, Branchwater Tavern, Yelapa Playa Mexicana and Stella Sola) and some equally important closings (such as Cafe Annie, Bedford, Las Alamedas and Felix Mexican Restaurant). To close out the year, Robb Walsh recapped his favorite restaurant openings of the past decade as well as the biggest losses to the Houston restaurant scene in the last ten years, with many people chiming in on both posts.

Below, a review of all the restaurants in Houston that opened, closed or moved in the past year, in alphabetical order.

OPENINGS

III Forks, 1201 Fannin
1905 Pizza Bar, 2228 Texas Drive, Sugar Land
3 Olives, 22764 Westheimer Parkway
901 Postoffice, 901 Postoffice, Galveston

Abhiruchi Indian Cuisine, 14045 Westheimer
Alicia’s Mexican Grill, 26326 Highway 290, Cypress
Andalucia Tapas & Taverna, 1201 San Jacinto
Angus Grill, 6106 Westheimer
Argentina Cafe, 3055 Sage, Suite 130
Armond Bakery, 12151 Westheimer, #L

Bar-B-Que Blues, 5404 Almeda
Basil Grill, 7952 Westheimer
Bistro Alex, 800 W Sam Houston Parkway
Bistro LeCroy, 2021 Strand St, Galveston
Block 7 Wine Company, 720 Shepherd Drive
Bodega’s Taco Shop, 1200 Binz
Bombay Pizza Company, 914 Main, Suite 105
Boudreaux’s Cajun Kitchen, 9774 Katy Freeway
Boudreaux’s on the Bayou, 6310 Heards Lane, Galveston
Bullrito’s, 12719 FM 1960
Buon Cibo Italian Grill, 3202 Marina Bay Drive, #J, League City
Branchwater Tavern, 510 Shepherd
The Broken Spoke (new managment/menu), 1809 Washington
Byrd’s Market & Cafe, 420 Main

Calliope’s Po-Boy, 2130 Jefferson
Candelari’s, 2617 W Holcombe
Canopy, 3939 Montrose, Suite C
Cafe Balkan, 10846 Westheimer
Cafe Beirut, 3223 Hillcroft
Cafe Ginger, 1952 West Gray
Cafe Rose, 800 W Sam Houston Parkway
Cafe Yasmeen, 11920 Highway 6 South, #1300, Sugar Land
Capital Q, 1228 Seawall Boulevard, Galveston
Cajun Boiled Crawfish, 19640 Kuykendahl, Spring
Cajun Family Restaurant, 25282 Northwest Freeway, #150, Cypress
Celebrity Cupcakes, 2343 University Boulevard, Suite B
The Chelsea Grill, 4621 Montrose
Chez Roux, 600 La Torretta Boulevard, Montgomery
Chicago Style Deli, 13080 Highway 105 West, Conroe
Chopin Mon Ami Restaurant, 1508 39th Street, Galveston
Ciao Bello, 5161 San Felipe, Suite 100
Clary’s Seafood, 8509 Teichman, Galveston
Coffee Bistro, 109 Meadow Parkway, League City
Crush Wine Bar, 20 Waterway, Suite 200, The Woodlands

Da Vinci Ristorante Italiano, 6455 S Fry Road, Katy
Dario’s American Bistro, 14315 Cypress Rosehill, Cypress
Di Bella’s Italian, 1902 31st St, Galveston
D’Vine Wine Bar, 25202 Northwest Fwy #100, Cypress

Eddie V’s, 12848 Queensbury
Edojin Sushi, 12344 Barker Cypress, #210, Katy
The Egg & I, 557 W. Bay Area Boulevard, Webster
Ephesus Mediterranean Grill, 510 S Mason Road, Katy

Five Guys Burgers & Fries, multiple locations
Fleming’s, 788 W Sam Houston Parkway N, #120

Georgia’s Farm to Market, 12171 Katy Freeway
Giacomo’s Cibo e Vino, 3215 Westheimer
Grimaldi’s, 20 Waterway Avenue, The Woodlands
Guadalajara del Centro, 1201 San Jacinto
Gumbo Bar, 2105 Post Office, Galveston

Ha’s Kitchen, 13480 Veterans Memorial Drive
Haven, 2502 Algerian Way
Hearsay, 218 Travis
Hebert’s Hot Tails Crawfish Boil, 5025 Louetta, Spring
Hibachi Grill & Buffet, 3703 Garth Road, Baytown
Hot Pot City, 8300 W Sam Houston Parkway
Hubcap Grill, 9591 South Main

Jeannine’s Bistro, 106 Westheimer
Johnny D’s Cafe, 301 W Parkwood, Friendswood
Juan and Lefty’s Mexican Cantina, 17381 Highway 249
Juan Mon’s, 1901 Taft

Kata Robata Sushi & Grill, 3600 Kirby
Khun Kay Thai Cafe, 1209 Montrose
Kiz Pan Asian Kitchen, 430 S Mason Rd, #113, Katy

La Magia Cafe & Pizza, 3699 Highway 6, Sugar Land
La Trattoria Tuscano, 4223 Research Forest, The Woodlands
Laurenzo’s Grill, 4412 Washington Avenue
Little Big’s, 2703 Montrose
Little Big’s, 1600 Zoo Circle Drive in Hermann Park
Lola, 1102 Yale
Louisiana Creole Cafe, 3717 Dowling
Loving Hut, 2825 S. Kirkwood
Luigi’s, 2328 Strand St, Galveston

Managua, 7818 Bellaire Boulevard
Mango’s, 403 Westheimer
Mantra Fine Indian, 15295 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land
Mashawi Lounge, 13525 Westheimer
McCormick & Schmick’s, 1201 Fannin
Merche, 21208 Northwest Freeway, Cypress
Meson 1910 Mexican Cuisine, 15202 Mason Road, Katy
Mia Bella, 1201 San Jacinto
Mucho Mexico, 1310 N Wayside Drive
My Pizzeria, 9222 Louetta

Natto, 1818 Hamilton
Neeta’s Indian Cuisine, 6688 Southwest Freeway

Off the Hook Seafood, 16203 Westheimer #105
Olympia at Pier 21, Pier 21 at Harborside Drive, Galveston
The Original Louisana Kitchen, 10400 S Post Oak #E
Orioli’s Prime Steaks & Seafood, 5322 FM 1960 West
Our House, 11919 Crosby Lynchburg Road, Crosby

Pampa Grill & Market, 10111 Hammerly
Pecker’s Pizza, 3307 Spring-Stuebner Road
Peli Peli, 110 Vintage Park Boulevard, #P, Cypress
Pho Tan Loc, 11603 Highway 6 South, Sugar Land
Pico’s Bakery & Taqueria, 5710 Bellaire Boulevard, #A
Poscol, 1609 Westheimer
Pradaria Steaks & Churrascaria, 10694 Westheimer
Pronto Cucinino, 791 Town and Country Boulevard, #146

Que Cafe & Coffee Bar, 408 20th St, Galveston

RA Sushi, 12860 Queensbury
Ray’s Franks, 1302 Nance
RDG + Bar Annie, 1800 Post Oak Boulevard
Rice Thai Kitchen, 9401 Katy Freeway
The Rockwood Room, 5709 Woodway Drive
Ruby Tequila’s, 2616 Louisiana
Ruggles, 903 Westheimer
Ruggles Green, 2311 W Alabama, #C

Sabine River Café, 10001 Westheimer, #2520
Saffron Kabob House, 5711 Hillcroft, #B2
Saigon One, 11830 Bellaire Boulevard, #C
Saint Dane’s Bar & Grille, 502 Elgin
Sawyer Park Sports Bar, 2412 Washington Avenue
Seppia Grill Wine Bar, 2800 Sage Road
Sharky’s, 1660 W Lake Houston Parkway, Suite 104, Kingwood
Shogi Hibachi Express, 15955 City Walk, Sugar Land
Shuck Daddy’s, 1511 Shepherd
Smashburger, multiple locations
Spicy Pickle, 11611 Katy Freeway
Stella Sola, 1001 Studewood
Straits, 800 W Sam Houston Parkway N, Suite 940
Strata Restaurant & Bar, 122 Vintage Park Boulevard, Cypress
Sushi Choo Choo, 12149 FM 1960
Sushi Raku, 3201 Louisana
Susie’s Cakes & Confections, 12280 Westheimer, Suite 6A
Suzybee’s, 12914 FM 1960

Table Seven, 700 Durham
Taco House, 5001 Broadway
Taisho Japanese Grill & Bar, 16100 City Walk, Sugar Land
Tasti D-Lite, 1707 Post Oak Blvd
Tasti D-Lite, 3974 Westheimer
Tesar’s, 1701 Lake Robbins Drive, The Woodlands
Three Brothers Bakery, 4036 S. Braeswood
Tinto’s, 2015 West Gray, #J
Tremont Cafe at the Tremont House, 2300 Mechanic St, Galveston
Trios Downunder, 10535 Westheimer
Trophy Room, 22225 Katy Freeway, Katy

Udipi, 557 S Mason Road, Katy

Valentino in the Hotel Derek, 2525 West Loop South
Vin Bar in the Hotel Derek, 2525 West Loop South

W Grill, 4825 Washington Avenue
Wolfie’s, 22522 Highway 249

Yao Restaurant, 1201 Fannin
Yard House, 700 Town & Country Boulevard
Yelapa Playa Mexicana, 2303 Richmond
Yukino Sushi, 5959 Richmond, Suite 160

Zaxby’s, 8103 Louetta, Spring
Zoe’s Kitchen, 5779 San Felipe

On the next page, closings. CLOSINGS

55 Degreez Wine Bar, 7316 Louetta, Spring
713 Restaurant & Lounge, 100001 Westheimer

A Taste of New Orleans, 3719 N Fry, Katy
Allie’s Steakhouse and Piano Bar, 402 Grand Parkway, Katy
Aloha Hawaiian BBQ, 1803 N Fry, Katy
Andros Deli & Mediterranean Cafe, 3828 Fondren
The Angel and Ox Pub Irish Pub & Restaurant, 22758 Westheimer Parkway, Katy

Bamboo Restaurant, 27830 State Highway 249
Bangkok Room, 914 Main
Bedford, 1001 Studewood
Bertani Ranch Steakhouse, 12810 Telge Road, Cypress
Big Daddys Smokehouse & Grill, 3145 Highway 6, Hitchcock
Big Island Hawaiian BBQ, 2150 S Highway 6, Katy
Bistro 829, 829 S Mason Road, Katy
Bizzy Cafe, 5571 Highway 6 North
Boudreaux’s Cajun Meats, 23930 Westheimer Parkway, Katy
Burgerdog, 5601 Memorial

Café le Jadeite, 1952 West Gray
Cafe Saigon, 9607 Broadway, Pearland
Cafeteria Cappocetti, 2620 Sage
Camille’s Sidewalk Cafe, 7316 Louetta, Spring
Catfish Willy’s, 2435 Texas Parkway, Missouri City
Charlie’s Texas Grillery, 1440 W Gray
China Cafe, 6180 Highway 6 North
Cleve’s Chicken and Rice, 12519 North Freeway
Cold Stone Creamery, 510 Gray St
Collins Chop House & Whiskey Bar, 300 Main
Como Se Dice, 1660 W Lake Houston Parkway, Kingwood

Daily Grind, 4115 Washington Avenue
DaniVens Steak & Seafood, 4940 Fairmont Parkway, Pearland
Debby’s Steak House, 13080 Highway 105, Conroe
DJ’s Olde-Timey Burgers, 7918 Kirby Drive

Fito’s Mexican Seafood, 720 W NASA Road 1, Webster
Fox Sports Grill, 5175 Westheimer

Garnaxas Tapas Bar, 5213 Cedar
Good To Go Cafe, 2409 Falcon Pass

India-Grill Restaurant, 9110 Jones Rd
Isla Coqui, 1801 Durham

Java Pi Cafe, 2271 Northpark Drive, Kingwood
Jeff’s Eatery, 440 Benimar
Jimmy Wilson’s Seafood, 12109 Westheimer
JJ Ichiban Buffet, 5700 Highway 6 North
John & Joe’s Eatery Shack, 345 Dulles Ave, Stafford

Kilgore’s Pub & Grille, 211 FM 1960
Kitchen on the Bayeaux, 10943 Scarsdale, #A
Kuala Lumpur Malaysian, 7818 Bellaire Boulevard
Kyoto Japanese, 25701 I-45 North

La Choza Cafe & Grill, 14045 Westheimer
La Jaliscience, 1307 Yale
La Mansion Mexican, 9330 Broadway
La Strada, 322 Westheimer
Las Herraduras Mexican Restaurant, 3104 FM 528 Rd, Webster
Little Island Grill, 6383 Westheimer
Los Cucos Seafood and Steaks, 811 Avenue D, Katy
Luby’s, 1014 Baybrook Mall, Friendswood
Luby’s, 6223 Bellaire Blvd
Luby’s, 5215 Buffalo Speedway
Luby’s, 6125 Central City Boulevard, Galveston
Luby’s, 4511 FM 1960 West
Luby’s, 8440 Gulf Freeway
Luby’s, 6704 Highway 6 South
Luby’s, 8801 North Loop East
Luby’s, 941 N Shepherd Drive
Luby’s, 1518 Willowbrook Mall

Mak Chin, 1511 Shepherd
Mama Ninfa’s, 9401 Katy Freeway
Mama Ninfa’s, 6154 Westheimer
Memorial Grill, 14510 Memorial
Mikado Japanese, 5709 Woodway Drive
Moksha Indian Fusion Cuisine, 9415 Broadway, Pearland
Mucho Mexico Los Molcajetes, 1310 N Wayside Drive
My Amigos Mexican Grill, 2441 FM 646, Dickinson

Noble Roman’s Pizza, 11603 Highway 6 South, Sugar Land

Onion Patch, 10111 Hammerly
Out of Africa, 14019 Southwest Freeway, #204, Sugar Land

Pan Y Agua, 3215 Westheimer
Panchero’s Mexican Grill, 4603 Garth Road, Baytown
Panchero’s Mexican Grill, 17756 Katy Freeway
Paw Paw Bar & Grill, 12151 Westheimer Rd
Paul’s Pizza Shop, 21150 Kuykendahl Rd, Spring
Pepper Chino, 4444 FM 1960 Rd W
Peppers Steak & Seafood, 220 Gulf Freeway, League City
Pollo Bravo, 890 S Mason Road, Katy

RainDrop Chocolates, 810 Waugh
Rickshaw Far East Bistro, 2810 Westheimer
Romano’s Pizza & Italian, 14520 Memorial
Ruby Tuesday, 16549 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land

Sandy’s Market, 12171 Katy Freeway
Sam’s Boat, 7637 FM 1960
Sam’s Boat, 26710 Interstate 45, The Woodlands
Sam’s Boat, 2752 Sunrise Blvd, Pearland
Saute, 2303 Richmond
Singha Thai, 12102 Westheimer
Sirenuse Euro Bistro, 24 Waterway Avenue, Suite 175, The Woodlands
Sizzler, 6062 FM 2920, Spring
Sizzler, 6945 Industrial Parkway, Rosenberg
South Philly Steaks, 3602 Scott
Southlands Brazilian Steakhouse, 18736 Highway 249
Sultan Mediterranean Grill, 12280 Westheimer
Sushi Thai, 1302 Nance
Star River Chinese, 2929 Southwest Fwy

Tacone Flavor Grill, 2228 Texas Drive, Sugar Land
A Taste of New Orleans, 3719 N Fry Road, Katy
Texadelphia, 5535 Memorial Drive
Thai Racha, 1005 Dairy Ashford
Thai Racha, 10085 Long Point
The Family Table, 17045 Stuebner Airline, Spring
Thyme Table Cafe, 11660 Westheimer
Timpano Chophouse & Martini Bar, 610 Main
Tio Pepe, 5213 Cedar
Tito’s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina, 1801 S Dairy Ashford
Tookie’s, 1202 Bayport Boulevard, Seabrook
Tony’s Boiled Crawfish, 11830 Bellaire Blvd
Truffles Chocolate, 9595 Six Pines Drive, The Woodlands
Tung’s Hunan Palace, 1212 FM 1960
Twisted Fig, 20680 Westheimer Parkway, Katy

Valentino’s Seafood, 1503 W Bay Area Boulevard, Webster
Vegas Grill, 20931 Gulf Freeway, Webster
Victor’s Oxtail Homestyle Cooking, 25602 Interstate 45 #101, Spring
Village Express Asian Cuisine, 9296 Westheimer
Vivian’s Southern Cuisine, 5405 FM 1488, Magnolia

The Wine Spot, 937 S Mason, Katy
Wings-Pizza-N-Things, 3010 N Fry Rd, Katy

Yatra Brasserie, 706 Main

Zig’s New York Deli, 1200 McKinney, #374

On the next page, restaurants that moved. MOVED

Azzarelli’s: Now located at 17754 Katy Freeway, #B (all other locations closed)

Beaucoup Bar & Grill: Now located at 3102 Old Spanish Trail (location on Elgin as Beaucoup Wings-n-Wings closed)

Cava Bistro: Now located at 300 Main (other Main Street location closed)

Huynh: Now located at 912 St. Emanuel (location on Milam closed)

Jenni’s Noodles: Now located at 2027 Post Oak Boulevard (location on Jefferson closed)

Jungle Patisserie: Now located at 9110 Bellaire Boulevard (location next door closed)

Kelly’s Grill: Now located at 7030 Addicks Clodine Road, Suite 101 (location in Sugar Land closed)

Las Alamedas: Soon to be located at Katy’s La Centerra shopping center (Memorial location closed)