If restaurant openings are an economic indicator, the last month would seem to signify that things are picking back up — at least in Houston. Things we’ve learned from this month’s openings and closings include: don’t put a “z” in your name if you’re trying to be taken seriously as a wine bar; Town & Country’s new CityCentre development is the place to be; restaurants will never be deterred from opening in the accursed location at 2303 Richmond; and yes, things are still reopening in Galveston after the devastation of Hurricane Ike.
Openings
- III Forks, 1201 Fannin (in the Houston Pavilions)
- Hearsay, 218 Travis
- Ruby Tequila’s, 2616 Louisiana
- Straits, 800 W. Sam Houston Parkway
- Eddie V’s, 12848 Queensbury (check out our Sarah Rufka’s first look)
- The Chelsea Grill, 4621 Montrose
- Yelapa Playa Mexicana, 2303 Richmond
- Loving Hut, 2825 S. Kirkwood
- Georgia’s Farm to Market, 12171 Katy Freeway (taking over from Sandy’s Market)
- Azzarelli’s, 17754 Katy Freeway
- Da Vinci Ristorante Italiano, 6455 S. Fry Road
- Bullrito’s, 12719 FM 1960
- Grimaldi’s, 20 Waterway Avenue, The Woodlands
- La Trattoria Tuscano, 4223 Research Forest
- The Egg & I, 557 W. Bay Area Boulevard, Webster
- Clary’s Seafood, 8509 Teichman, Galveston (now reopened after Hurricane Ike)
Closings
- Yatra Brasserie, 706 Main
- Andros Deli & Mediterranean Cafe, 3828 Fondren
- South Philly Steaks, 3602 Scott
- Little Island Grill, 6383 Westheimer
- A Taste of New Orleans, 3719 N. Fry Road
- Java Pi Cafe, 2271 Northpark Drive
- Camille’s Sidewalk Cafe, 7316 Louetta, Spring
- 55 Degreez Wine Bar, 7316 Louetta, Spring
- Debby’s Steak House, 13080 Highway 105, Conroe
- Valentino’s Seafood, 1503 W. Bay Area Boulevard, Webster
Opening Soon
- Stella Sola (in the former Bedford location at Studewood and 10th)
- Pie In The Sky (the Heights location will be at 632 W. 19th)
- Phillipe’s (in the space originally built for the new America’s on Post Oak)
- 99 Ranch (in the old Fiesta location along I-10 at Campbell)
This article appears in Nov 5-11, 2009.