The Stag's Head Pub's landlord has chosen not to renew the bar's lease at 2128 Portsmouth. According to a note forwarded to the Houston Press, owner Michael Holliday tried to negotiate a short-term lease but was declined. The note goes on to say:
"I have been looking to move The Stags to another location for some time but have been unable to find a suitable site. Please keep in touch as I hoping to reopen in the not too distant future in another location"I wish to thank all our great customers and staff for fifteen great years of many fond memories. Hope to see you before we close. "
That happens at the end of this month, so now is a good time to show your support if you're a fan.
In happier news, on Monday, April 27, Ula's Mexican Restaurant and Cantina puts some life back into the space that used to house the original Coppa Ristorante at 5555 Washington. This is the second Ula's. The first, in Missouri City, opened last September.
Like its predecessor, it has an open kitchen, a bar area and a covered patio. One special feature is the private dining room that seats 60. It even has its own private bathroom, entrance and is fully set for business meetings with a projection screen, microphone and network connections for computers.
Even closer on the horizon are two other restaurants. El Tiempo's new, large restaurant in the Montrose. It's taking over the space at 322 Westheimer where La Casa del Caballo used to be and opens on Monday, April 20 at 11 a.m. Based on the construction work we've seen, it looks like it's going to have a really great balcony patio.
Reader and frequent commenter MadMac says that a new Frenchy's Chicken has opened at 9415 Broadway in Pearland. It's one of several new locations the local chain has expanded to over the past year. Thanks, Mac!
James Brock of Eater Houston reports that The Woodlands location of wine bar Crisp also opens on April 20. It's located at 2520 Research Forest and, unlike its elder sibling in the Heights, has a full liquor license. Expect lots of small bites, too.
PESKA Seafood Culture is now open. According to Houston Business Journal, it officially opened to the public on April 8. The restaurant has stirred up a lot of buzz for both its "seafood sommeliers" and its 20-year-old wunderkind chef from Venezuela, Omar Pereney. Expect a jaw-dropping 20 to 30 different kinds of fresh fish from around the world to be in store.
Local ABC affiliate KTRK reported that soul-food restaurant Getto Burger at 8670 Antoine was damaged by fire. It will remain closed while it's being repaired.
Ellie Sharp of Eater Houston says The Burger Joint is on target for a June opening. It took over the former Little Bigs spot at 2703 Montrose.
Barringer, the bar that was formerly upstairs from defunct Clutch City Squire, has found a new lease on life. According to Culturemap Houston, it has reopened at 108 Main. The original location was a controversial shut-down, as the club was locked out because of a dispute with the landlord there at the time. The building now houses new bars The Commoner and The Boulevardier.
That's not the only new downtown bar. Yelp has made a new listing for Houston Watch Company at 913 Franklin. The timepiece-themed bar focuses on old-school cocktails and craft beer.
A place called Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill at 947 Gessner is being described by early visitors as "the Chipotle of Mediterranean food." It sounds like the falafel is the must-try thing there.
There's a new Taiwanese-style bakery at 9889 Bellaire. It's called Kamalan Bakery, and the boloù bao, or pineapple bread, and the "milk butter bread" are already winning fans.
Humble now has its very own Los Cucos. The Tex Mex joint is located at 9520 North Sam Houston Parkway East.
Finally, there's apparently a new food truck around Midtown called Casian King. Have you seen it or ordered from it? Let us know. It's been spotted at 303 West Gray.
That's it for this week's Openings & Closings. If you have a tip, please leave a comment or email us. If you do, you may get a mention in next week's edition. See you then!
