Bar Bludorn, 25 Waterway Avenue, opened October 2 in The Woodlands. It’s the second location for the casual, yet upscale tavern and restaurant from Bludorn Hospitality Group led by chef Aaron Bludorn, along with partners Victoria Pappas Bludorn and Cherif Mbodji. The group also operates Bludron, Navy Blue and Perseid at Hotel Saint Augustine.
The original location opened in 2024 in the Memorial area. The expansion into The Woodlands is in partnership with Howard Hughes Communities, a master planned community developer with projects in The Woodlands, Cypress and several other states besides Texas.
The interior of the 6,500 square-foot space, designed by Gensler, is similar to the Memorial spot with forest green booths and dark shiplap-style ceilings. It’s a clubby atmosphere with a contemporary bistro vibe, welcoming guests for a business lunch, happy hour cocktail or romantic dinner.
The new location also features a private dining room and outdoor patio. Chef Bludorn has also added curated artwork for the interior, in collaboration with Houston’s Reeve Gallery. Much of the modern pieces are from local painter and sculptor David Adickes, known for his giant Sam Houston statue in Huntsville, as well as his massive busts of presidents and various sculptures of musicians like The Beatles. Adickes passed away in 2025 at the age of 98.
Like its Memorial sister, the dining room has views of the open kitchen where the busy team, led by executive chef Adolfo Lopez, produces French and American-inspired dishes for which Chef Bludorn is known. Loyal fans of the original Bar Bludorn will find favorites like steak frites, oysters four ways, wagyu tavern burger and the famous fried chicken with peanut butter gravy.
However, the new location has some new and exclusive plates as well including lobster beignets, guajillo-crusted lamb ribs and dry-age duck with riso venere, pickled goldenberry, grilled endive and sauce albufera. Pastry chef Daniela Valladares, who has been with Bludorn for over four years, leads the dessert program, creating delectable treats such as Dutch apple pie and a playful ice cream sandwich made with cajeta churro, pecans and champurrado, a chocolate Mexican beverage thickened with masa.
The extensive wine program is directed by Evan White while the group’s beverage director Alejandro Medina has created a list of sexy cocktails such as the Dean Martin-i and Midnight Manhattan.
The Riot Cafe, 1925 Washington Avenue, opens October 17, as we mentioned last week here in the Houston Press. This week, we have more information about the all-day cafe, which takes up residence at The Riot Comedy Club Houston.
In the morning, the cafe’s kitchen, led by Rob Mungle, will serve specialty coffee drinks made with locally-roasted Katz Coffee plus a variety of breakfast sandwiches, yogurt parfaits, kolaches and danishes. For afternoon munchies, the menu offers a giant pretzel, spinach artichoke dip and a hummus trio with pita and vegetables. More substantial lunch items include a selection of paninis and pizza.
General manager Seth Fair is in charge of the bar program and his 25 years of hospitality experience mean guests will find an array of unique (and spicy) cocktails such as The Roast, a blend of Aguasol reposado tequila, mezcal, cold-pressed pineapple juice, lime, agave and fire tincture. There are also Texas and domestic beers, hard seltzers and wine. For zero-proof drinks, there are options like the Open Mic or the fruity Encore. Many of the drinks are made with MEP Cold-Pressed Juice.
The Riot Comedy Club was founded by Brian Grendon in Houston in 2020 and has two other locations in Conroe and San Antonio. He says the new cafe offers a space that can evolve throughout the day. “It can be a coffee shop in the morning, a place to grab lunch in the afternoon and a spot to have drinks and catch a show at night.”
Juicy Joint, 1806 W. Bay Area Boulevard, softly opened last month and is slated to have its grand opening October 17 through October 19. It’s the fifth Greater Houston location for the food truck, which also operates a brick and mortar space in Dallas. Owned by Ahmad Kilani, founder of Clutch City Cluckers, it joined the fleet of Kilani’s food truck empire in 2024.
The halal menu features juicy burgers, smashburgers and sliders plus tacos and loaded fries. Its beef hot dogs come with options like chili or gochujang sauce. For the first grand opening day, beginning at 11 a.m., the first 100 guests will receive a free entree. After that, the menu items are 50 percent off. There will be a ribbon cutting, raffles, a DJ and swag from Uber Eats. The following two days, October 18 and October 19, the food truck will offer 50 percent off the entire menu.
Clutch City Cluckers, 1806 W. Bay Area Boulevard, is also in soft opening mode at the same location as its sister concept, Juicy Joint. Its grand opening is planned for October 24. The Webster food truck makes number 13 for the Nashville hot chicken brand which has been rapidly expanding since its 2021 debut. The spicy halal-certified fried chicken is available as tenders, sandwiches, wraps, tacos and more.
Hidden Omakase will continue its residency at Bar Moon, 1800 Post Oak Boulevard, through the end of the year. The acclaimed tasting menu concept from chef Marcos Juarez set up shop at the stunning cocktail lounge, part of The Bastion Collection, in June 2026 following a car-meets-restaurant accident May 18. The extensive damage necessitated major repairs but there has been no news about a reopening at the 5353 W. Alabama location.
Meanwhile, Juarez and his team are introducing a seasonal fall menu for the extended residency including dishes like Inada and Apples with baby yellowtail tuna and kimchi water-compressed Red Delicious apples. There are also bites like Iwashi Toast with cured Japanese sardines and Sake Ochazuke, a dish of Oro King salmon marinated in ginger soy. Other plates include sous vide pork tenderloin, yuzu panna cotta and Japanese pumpkin and sweet potato bread pudding.
The omakase experience is $225 per person and reservations are required for the 12-person seatings.
Pizza Twist, 11004 Grant, finally opened September 26. It’s been a long time coming for this particular location that has been in the works for over a year. It’s the second Cypress area location to open, There are also locations in Sugar Land and Conroe.
Founded in California in 2014 by Harpreet Dahiya, the fusion pizza brand began franchising in 2017 and now has locations in the U.S., Canada and Indonesia. Its menu offers traditional pizzas like pepperoni and supreme as well as Indian-inspired options like butter chicken, achari gobi and Indian garlic paneer.
The options are extensive, including hala and vegan options. Other items include a variety of pastas, wings and salads, plus appetizers like samosas and cheesy bacon bites.
University of Houston Ramen Library, 4385 Cougar Village, has opened at Cougar Village Market. The self-serve ramen shop allows guests to choose from a number of ramen packages then prepare the noodles with a built-in hot water dispenser. There are extras like sauces, spices, seasonings and toppings to customize the ramen bowls.
Korean-style self-serve ramen has exploded across the country and it’s only fitting that the trend would make its way to college campuses, hotbeds of hungry students with limited funds.
Golden Chick, 8827 E. Sam Houston Parkway N., opened October 6. It’s the 21st Chick location in the Greater Houston area and the fifth this year. It’s operated by franchisees Sean Kheerani and Khawaja Nouman.
The menu offers golden-fried chicken pieces, tenders and sandwiches as well as roast chicken, salads and Southern-fried catfish. Sides include mashed potatoes, fries, mac and cheese, fried okra and dirty rice.
Currently there is a limited-time Tex-Mex menu of tenders, fries and rolls that come with queso for dipping. The new items are available through November 1.
