Remi, 1080 Uptown Park Boulevard, is now open at the Hotel Granduca luxury hotel set in Houston’s Uptown District. The hotel itself has undergone a major transformation by Transwestern Hospitality group which bought the property from founder and developer Giorgio Borlenghi in 2024. The hotel first opened in 2006.
The new restaurant and its adjacent Bar Remi take the place of the former dining spaces like Alba Ristorante and Il Giardino. However, executive chef Maurizio Feerarese, who has helmed the kitchens at Hotel Granduca since 2018, will continue to create the menus at the new restaurant along with the culinary collaboration of David Morton and Episcope Hospitality. With Ferrarese’s Italian background, guests can expect a menu of European flavors and seasonal ingredients.
The opening menu showcases masterfully crafted dishes such as Crispy Roman Artichokes and Ora King Salmon served with charred broccolini and romesco sauce. Locally-sourced ingredients such as Greener Pastures Texas chicken show up in dishes like the Half Chicken with freshly-made truffle tagliatelle. There are traditional dishes like Steak Frites as well as the Remi Burger with cheddar cheese, dijonnaise and pickles, served on a brioche bun.
In charge of the revamped beverage program is advanced sommelier Ryan Gaudin, who is also a partner at Episcope Hospitality. The wine list boasts 130 selections with European varietals such as French Champagne, Burgundy and Bordeaux as well as Italian, Spanish and German wines. California wineries are featured as well with a curated selection from small-batch producers. The adjacent Bar Remi will offer coffee from Three Keys Coffee during the day plus matcha from Japanese brand BreakAway Matcha as well as premium Smith Tea varieties. Hotel Granduca plans to relaunch its traditional tea service, too.
At night, the bar becomes a social hub for guests to enjoy a signature martini or a rare bourbon, along with craft cocktails made with fresh-pressed juices and house-made syrups.
The Library is a retreat done in indigo tones and soft lighting. Rare books and intimate seating nooks invites guests to linger over a cocktail or enjoy cozy conversation with friends and family. The restaurant’s menu is available in The Library as well.
All of this glamour has been created by renowned interior designer Kara Childress, who was also responsible for Granduca’s earlier interior design. The traditional Italian influences remain but with a contemporary finesse. The hotel’s lobby has seen a complete transformation and The Courtyard has undergone a few changes too, making it a lush, open-air oasis for dining al fresco or relaxing with a drink.
Confessions Restaurant & Lounge, 3200 Kirby, opens softly April 1. Located on the second floor of the building, the concept takes its inspiration from the luxury hospitality movement in which the experience is as important as the cuisine. Meant to be an immersive adventure, the restaurant and lounge will provide chef-driven dining, hand-crafted cocktails along with DJs and a vibrant nightlife atmosphere.
There is a mix of unique spaces beginning with the Houston-themed entrance and waiting area with “confessional” booths where guests can confess their sins before or after. The main dining area is bedecked in colorful street art while the Mediterranean-style patio transports guests to a Greek-inspired retreat. There is a private dining room with its own dedicated bartender and a DJ booth that can accommodate 42 people.
The new venture comes from owner Sterling Lewis whose hospitality and entertainment industry experience includes working with artists like Drake, Usher and Trey Songz. Based in Houston, Lewis is an entrepreneur and event coordinator who says that hospitality should be more than just service, it should be an experience. He added, “At Confessions…every guest is a part of our story and should feel like they’re part of something special, no matter the occasion.”
In addition to being the innovator behind the concept, Lewis has also created the menu which leans toward South American cuisine with a global twist. He has chef De’ Angelo Whitlow leading the kitchen which will turn out dishes like Steakhouse Sliders topped with blue cheese and beef bacon and Spicy Rigatoni. The Oxtail Lo Mein is braised in a Bourguignon-style sauce while the Lamb Chop Rockefeller gets drizzled in white wine and garlic butter sauce.
The restaurant and lounge will have extended late-night hours Friday and Saturday. In addition to cocktails, mocktails and weekend bottle service, Confessions will also offer a sophisticated hookah experience.
Smalls Sliders, 1337 Gessner, dropped its famous “Can” March 20 in the Spring Branch area. The Can Drops are part of its brand with the modular, pre-fabricated restaurants dropped on site. It was founded in 2019 by Brandon Landry in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and former NFL quarterback Drew Brees was an early investor. The company was soon backed by 10 Point Capital to help grow the fast casual brand’s footprint. Brees and 10 Point Capital are also investors in Landry’s Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux.
The Smalls Sliders Houston Squad chose Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell as its Smalls Town Hero for his impact in the community. Dell picked the CJ Stroud Foundation to be the recipient of a donation made by Smalls Sliders. The local organization hosts youth football camps and provides mentorship programs for young people in Houston.
The menu is simple. There are its signature cheeseburger sliders served on a toasted bun with pickle and Smauce, its version of a burger condiment. Guests can order the Biggie Smalls, which doubles the patty and cheese or go hog wild with the Biggie Smalls with Bacon. There’s also a grilled cheese in slider form, served on buttered toast. The only side option is seasoned waffle fries made from Russet potatoes. Customers can also order a side of Smauce or queso for dipping.
In addition to soft drinks, there are milkshakes in vanilla, chocolate and Cookies & Cream flavors.
The new Houston location will be the third in Texas with plans for 50 more under development. The Houston “Can” is owned and operated by local entrepreneurs Preston Cunningham, David Higgins, Allison Smith, Kirk Douglas and Richard Crawford.
Urban Bird Hot Chicken, 2313 Edwards, opened March 10 in Sawyer Heights. Founded by Brandon Gawthorp in Katy in 2020, the Nashville hot chicken concept has seen explosive growth over the past five years with 16 Texas locations currently and at least a dozen more in the works. Gawthorp and wife Chantel recently acquired Bun Slut gourmet burger chain, according to Restaurant News.
It uses all natural halal chicken for its chicken tender sandwiches and baskets. They are available in varying heat levels from Country (no heat) to Fire in the Hole (will burn you twice, ahem). We can say from experience that the Nashville Hot is the sweet spot.
The Tenders Sando is a brioche bun with two jumbo tenders, kale slaw, bird sauce and pickles. The Tenders basket is two tenders with fries, bread, pickles and Bird sauce. There’s also Chicken & Waffle, Meatless Beyond Tenders and its loaded Urban Fries.
Sides include crinkle cut fries, sweet potato fries, Hot Cheeto mac and cheese and seasoned street corn. There are soft drinks, milkshakes and frozen custard.
KWO(Kore Wa Oishidesu)Sushi, 401 Franklin, joined the culinary lineup at POST Market in late February. The Japanese eatery is the brainchild of married couple Fabi and Daniela Guevara, two Houston-based chefs with more than twenty years of experience in the culinary industry. The women began their culinary journey together eight years ago and have been married since November 2020.
The new concept takes over the space that originally hosted Paul Qui’s concept, East Side Kings. Now owners of their own concept, the duo were managers at East Side Kings prior to its closure.
The menu features nigiri and sushi rolls as well as rice bowls like Shrimp Tempura, Pork Belly and Chicken Katsu. There are small plates such as Wakame Salad, Fried Brussels and Seared Avocado, a dish we plan on trying real soon. Stay tuned.
Two Phat Bastard Pies, 401 Franklin, is leaving its Stesti Food Hall location March 23 and has already opened its new location at POST Market. Founded by Zimbabwean natives and college friends, Nilesh Ranchod and Rajen Giga, it first opened in August 2023 at Conservatory Food Hall in Midtown, which became Stesti Food Hall in October 2024. Prior to opening their own stand, the duo were serving their flaky and savory pastries at community events and Houston SaberCats Rugby games.ย
The pies are influenced by Indo-African cuisine and come with a variety of savory fillings. Chicken Curry is a popular item as well as the Chicken Mushroom. There’s Pepper Steak and Lamb Curry plus vegetarian options like Spinach Paneer and Vegetable Curry. Non-pie options include chicken sausage rolls, samosas and fries.
Sonderbar Internationale, 114 Main, opened in late January from the former founder of Etro Lounge, Reese Haisler.ย He sold the business to bar manager Antonio “Geronimo” Villalobos in 2010 and eventually Etro would move to Houston’s downtown Main Street to become Etro Nightclub. Unfortunately, Etro closed in August 2024 leaving many Gen Xers, and young people who had come to realize how fabulous 80s music was, heartbroken.
Now Haisler has taken over Etro’s former downtown spot to create a new project that promises globally-inspired cocktails and a full bar that features spirits, wine, beer and sake. Continuing with its international theme, the list of beers from around the world stands at around 50, from 20 different countries. Haisler’s goal is to have more than 100 from 40 to 50 different nations. In addition to the liquors on offer, there is its International Kaffee with coffee drinks such as espresso, cappuccino and latte.
The club’s interior is an eclectic mix of retro, Victorian and mid-century modern furniture along with old school electronics (that some of us might have actually owned at one time) like beta recorders, console televisions and old stereo receivers. Vintage lamps provide soft illumination while a wild assortment of artwork from new wave and post-punk artists provides plenty of conversation starters on topics like religion, music and science fiction.
Haisler’s years of experience in the music industry is reflected in the mix of genres he has curated for the playlist. Along with post-punk and new wave bands, guests can enjoy electronica, 60s garage tunes, Italo Disco and gyspy punk and not just by American and English groups. Much of the global music includes tracks in other languages such as Ukranian, German, French, Italian and Spanish.
Inside the space there is also its Synth Diskoteka, a dance floor and DJ space that will operate after 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights, with possible plans to add more evenings. Haisler has put his personal stamp on remodeling the venue and has saved space for a small kitchen with plans to provide small bites like charcuterie boards, personal pizzas and appetizers. He’s still looking for a person to help operate it, so chefs searching for a job should take note.
Senor Tequila Mexican Bar & Grill, 12215 Grant, opened in March as a rebrand of the former concept, Pichurro’s. In a Facebook post, the owners stated, “This change represents a fresh start for us and we are thrilled to embark on this new chapter with you by our side. We are confident you will love the new name and the same delicious Mexican cuisine that you have come to know and love.”
