Will there ever be a restaurant at 1001 Studewood Street again? The building, which was originally constructed to house Robert Gadsby's Bedford in 2008, has sat vacant since subsequent tenant Stella Sola closed in May 2012. There were plans for a while for it to be a second Killen's Steakhouse location, but negotiations fell through. Now, Eater Houston is reporting that the folks behind Yucatan Taco Stand have changed their minds about using that space as well. Perhaps it's time to just rethink that building and start over?
Today is the last day to visit the Boom Boom Room before it closes. Swamplot reports that the funky wine bar and music venue at 2518 Yale St. is being replaced by another bar, one ran by "real good Heights-Montrose restaurant people you all know and love." There are only a few companies with restaurants in both the Heights and the Montrose, so that whittles the candidates down greatly. Shepard Ross of Glass Wall (in the Heights) and Pax Americana (Montrose) swears it's not his group. Who might it be?
Hubbell and Hudson Bistro at 25 Waterway Avenue in The Woodlands reopens on December 1, according to the Houston Chronicle. It's been closed for remodeling and expansion since October. The bistro acquired room for growth when the adjacent Hubbell and Hudson gourmet grocery store closed back in March. The bistro has now doubled in size and will have a sizable bar, lounge and chef's table.
Eric Sandler at Culturemap Houston interviewed Wendell Price, the chef-to-the-stars whose career was derailed when he spent time in jail in 2012 for tax evasion. He's looking for a fresh new start in the space next door to Brooklyn Athletic Club at 511 Richmond Avenue. It will be called Rustic Oak, will be open seven days a week and serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. The menu will feature items like, "barbecue crab, roasted oysters, crab soup and, at breakfast, savory shrimp pancakes." It's expected to open in January.
Soon, The Heights won't be the only area with interesting fried chicken. Culturemap Houston reports that a New York-Korean style version will soon be served in the Museum District area. The new place is called Dak & Bop and it will be a neighbor in the Park Binz building to coffee shop/wine bar Bosta and hot new restaurant Museum Park Cafe.
Eater Houston reports that the couple behind Barringer Bar & Lounge, the speakeasy that used to reside above Clutch City Squire, has plans to reopen elsewhere downtown. Co-owners and bartenders Robby and Cheiko Cook say a new lease has already been signed, but there's one problem. Between getting the first Barringer open and then dealing with a lot of legal fees, they've already spent their life savings. They've set up a GoFundMe page where you can read more about their situation and consider donating.
Houston Community College Spring Branch students and faculty will soon have a new place to dine in-between classes. A tipster gave us an update that construction on Niko Niko's fourth location in the same parking lot is moving right along. The fast casual Greek spot originated right here in Houston and has been slowly expanding over the past three years. It replaces the Chili's that was there for over two decades and expected to open next spring and is located at 1040 West Sam Houston Tollway. The opening was originally reported in the Houston Chronicle.
A re-opening in New Orleans means a free dessert for Houstonians. The original Brennan's will open its doors on Tuesday, November 25 after a family feud shut it down in June 2013. To mark the occasion, if you dine at Brennan's of Houston on the same day, you can have a free Bananas Foster. The dessert was created at the original Brennan's in 1952 and features a tableside flambé of bananas with rum and cinnamon served over vanilla bean ice cream.
We noted last week that Tandoory Taco in The Woodlands closed. Eater Houston editor Jakeisha Wilmore, alerted us that it was quickly being replaced by the third location of Hyderabad House. It had its grand opening this past Sunday, on November 16.
If you have information on more openings and closings, share them in the comments below and we may include them in next week's post. You can also email us with your updates and tips!
