A new year means plenty of new restaurant news, and we're glad to have it. Starting with the super-awesome-spectacular news that there's now a Vietnamese restaurant/craft beer bar in Webster. Yes, Webster. Nobi Public House (241 E. NASA Road 1) is a collaboration between brothers Charles and Andy Nguyen and features 200 craft beers along with a growler fill station, a cask system and a full-on nitro system.
Charles also owns the Shell station at the corner of FM 528 and Blackhawk, known in the craft beer community as a one-stop shop for craft beer and wine. (It's also possibly the only Shell station in Houston with its own Twitter account.) Andy, meanwhile, owns the Vietnamese sandwich shop next door, Nobi Asian Grill, where he allowed people to bring in beer and wine from his brother's shop next door. Creating a full-on pub/restaurant was a logical next step for the two.
Bruce Molzan's new restaurant, Corner Table, is up and running in the old Brownstone location. Photographer Gary Wise got a sneak peek of the place for Eater Houston last week, which editor Eric Sandler writes will "offer casual counter-service atmosphere at lunch and a more fine dining aspect at dinner." Next door neighbor (and little sister wine bar) 1919 Wine and Mixology isn't quite open yet, but look for it soon along with the upstairs component which completes the trio: Oak Bar, a nightclub.
Not too far away, Fat Bao (3419 Kirby) opened its doors on December 30, serving bao (steamed Chinese buns) stuffed with everything from pork belly to soft-shell crab -- and the place has been packed ever since. In addition to a full menu of bao, look for side items such as fried cauliflower with curry sauce and "Yummy Fries" topped with parmesan and rosemary.
Burger Nation (914 Main) has closed in the tunnels after being open for only four months. Reports B4-U-Eat on the situation: "Burger Nation...closed Monday due to 'rising costs and extremely high rent and limited hours of operation.' They are looking for space elsewhere."
In other news, Charity Bar started food service this past Wednesday, January 2 according to co-owner Paul Petronella, who posted an update on Twitter. It's only a soft service so far, so be gentle.
We've saved the best news for last this week, which is the announcement that Moon Tower Inn may reopen as soon as next week. Wrote co-owner Brandon Young on Facebook this past Tuesday:
well y'all, it's a new year and our NEW BUILDING PASSED INSPECTIONS YESTERDAY!!!! we're gonna blow off steam coon ass style, while we wait for the health dept. to clear us! see y'all in a week or so when we open! WE LOVE YOU FUCKERS. STAY SAFE OUT THERE!!!
We love you fuckers, too. Can't wait.
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