Kitchen Rumors, 2310 Decatur, is opening in late spring. The newest concept from Kahani Social Group will occupy the space most recently occupied by the acclaimed Xin Chao. Kahani Social Group’s principals include brothers Surpreet Singh and Preet Paul Singh along with Chef Jassi Bindra. The hospitality group is known for it Houston area concepts including the upscale Indian restaurant Amrina, in The Woodlands, as well as the more recent casual eateries, Pok Pok Po and Bol.
Kitchen Rumors will bring Bindra’s contemporary approach to classic Indian flavors with influences from around the globe. The dining experience is meant to be one that bridges cultures and provokes conversation with each dish having its own backstory. There will be main dishes such as Bison Short Rib Nihari and Pan-Seared Branzino with green herbs and veggies salan, along with tempting desserts like Panna Cotta Shahi Tukda and Howdy Galab Juman, a playful take on the traditional Indian dessert and the beloved Southern pecan pie.
Chef Bindra says of the new venture, “At Kitchen Rumors, we believe Indian cuisine is no longer confined to its origins. It’s a vibrant, ever-evolving culinary force shaped by global influences. Our menu takes the vibrant spices and rich flavors of India and presents them in a way that is accessible and exciting for everyone, whether they are long time fans of Indian food or trying it for the first time.”
Auden, 3737 Cogdell, will have its last day of service April 6, as first reported by CultureMap Houston. It’s a surprise shuttering for the vegetable-forward concept which was an honorable mention in Texas Monthly‘s Top 25 Restaurants in Texas. Auden was also named Best Brunch in Montrose 2024 here in the Houston Press. We reached out for more details but were told that there was no further statement than the announcement on social media.
Promising seasonal ingredients and local produce, chefs Kirthan and Kripa Shenoy created a menu that showcased the bounty of the Gulf Coast and its Southern flavors while also drawing inspiration from global cuisines and their own Indian heritage. The married couple’s resumes were also impressive with Kripa’s experience as a patissier in a Michelin-starred New York restaurant showing up in the classically beautiful desserts while Kripa created savory specialties like Crawfish Samosas and Octopus with coconut chimichurri.
There’s still a week left to try the global flavors before it closes. The duo also own and operate the walk-up concept EaDough Pastries & Provisions, 3204 Polk, which will continue to operate as usual for breakfast and lunch.
Brennan’s of Houston, 3300 Smith, debuted its newly renovated and reimagined Courtyard Bar. After a year in the making and years of planning, co-proprietor Alex Brennan Martin is thrilled to welcome guests to enjoy the stunning revamp. He said in a press release, “For 58 years, Brennan’s has been a place where special memories are made, and our goal with this redesign was to create a space that continues to inspire. The Courtyard Bar is an extension of our hospitality… Now we have an inviting haven to unwind, celebrate and indulge, whether on a date night or coming straight from the golf course.”
Brennan Martin was joined in the ambitious project by cousin and fellow proprietor Brad Brennan. The duo brought in Studio Red to manifest the vision. The architecture firm was also responsible for the rebuild of Brennan’s after Hurricane Ike, when a fire destroyed much of the building in 2008 and severely injured three people. Studio Red has led many designs in Houston including the Alley Theatre and Houston Farmers Market plus restaurants like Ostia, Ninfa’s Uptown and Goode Company.
Known for its Creole cuisine and New Orleans-inspired ambiance, Brennan’s elegant courtyard has long drawn in Houstonians for leisurely lunches and happening happy hours. With the new Courtyard Bar, the building’s hundred-year-old brick extends into the bar giving it an Old World feel like the Parisian bistros and NOLA haunts that inspired Brennan Martin’s vision. Paris blue hues show up in the tufted bar stools and French toile wallpaper, along with a zinc bar, a feature that is common in France’s bars and brasseries. Black and white Carrera tiles echo a style that was popular in the New Orleans homes the two cousins grew up in while vintage photos of family and celebrated guests add to the homey feel.
The elegance is further reflected in the chandeliers and mermaid lights that provide soft illumination. The mermaid fixtures, made by a craftsman known for his Mardi Gras floats, are recreations of the ones which previously adorned the wine room at Brennan’s before the fire. Antiqued mirrors, black glass tilework and quilted banquettes add to the glamour along with custom repurposed Waterford crystal decanters.
The “Terms” dining room, so named for the Terms of Endearment scene filmed at Brennan’s over forty years ago, is now the barroom while the former bar has been turned into a casual dining room. Both rooms look out onto the courtyard which still features its vintage wrought iron tables but now has the added comfort of lounge seating.
The design is not all that has been refreshed. There is also a new bar menu with shareable plates, appetizers and entrees, though guests may order from the main restaurant menu as well. In keeping with a more casual vibe, there is a dish of New Orleans-style barbecue shrimp that encourages finger-licking and Muffaletta Sliders. The Seafood Nachos are topped with a half-pound each of fried oysters, Gulf shrimp and crab meat. Fancy folks can add the optional Osetra caviar.
While there are still classic cocktails like Ramos Gin Fizz and Vieux Carre, the new bar has room for a frozen drink machine so patrons can escape the Houston heat while enjoying a frozen Brandy Milk Punch or The Irish Channel, a boozy blended coffee drink that is a tribute to the family’s heritage.
Star Sailor, 1710 W. 18th, will close March 30, followed by a “garage sale” March 31. The announcement was made via social media March 18.
Known for its smashburgers, craft beers and inclusivity, the LGBTQ+ community-friendly business served as a neighborhood hangout in the Heights and a welcoming space for friends and family to gather. First opened in late 2020, owner Marin Slanina brought in chef Miranda Quintilla to create a comfort food menu that included its Star Sailor Smashburger and the LGBTQ Sando with its cheekily-named Queer Sauce. Its inclusivity extended to families with children as well with its reasonably-priced kids menu.
The business suffered, however, through Houston’s crazy climactic events beginning with the out-of-nowhere derecho storm in May 2024 when it lost its kitchen, according to EaterHouston. The restaurant was given a grant from Southern Smoke Foundation to help rebuild. That led to a successful month-long Pride celebration in June, but July brought Hurricane Beryl which flooded the space. Several more flooding incidents occurred and the maintenance and repairs became too much.
The closing statement from the announcement read: “From today through 30th-we plan to party our asses off-join us!” If you check out its Facebook page, you will see exactly what that entails.
Myoa Cookies, 401 Franklin, is now open at POST Market, joining two other newbies, KWO Sushi and 2 Phat Bastards, as we reported last week. The luxury cookie bakery has an online store as well and its beautifully-wrapped boxes of cookies were a swag gift for celebrity guests at the 56th NAACP Image awards this past February.
The premium bakery was founded by Nigerian singer/songwriter Mayowa Sobamowo who was inspired by her friend Cy Jackson’s love of cookie cakes. Unfortunately, Jackson passed away in May 2021. Sobamowo’s new venture pays tribute to her friend’s memory.
The freshly-baked cookies are made with organic ingredients and unbleached flour. Some of its decadent flavors include Strawberries & Dream, Golden Hazelnut, Sea Salt Caramel and French Chocolate. There are small packages available as well as curated gift boxes and single cookies. Indecisive types can opt for the mini bites by the dozen.
Del Pueblo Mexican Restaurant, 13235 Jones, reopened March 27 after closing at the end of January. We have reached out for more information about the possible new owners and any changes. And yes, Baltazar is back.
La Calle Tacos, 3321 Ella Boulevard, is still closed after its August 2024 fire. We reached out for more information regarding its projected opening date and were told that details are still being worked out, so it could be a while.
In the meantime, its other two locations at 909 Franklin and 401 Gray are offering April specials. During the Women’s NCAA Final Four and the Men’s NCAA Final Four, April 4 through April 7, dine-in guests can get 99 cent tacos with the promo code NCAA. Double that up on April 7, National Beer Day, and get 50 percent off draft beer flights (regularly $5.99) or order a bucket of five cervezas for $15.99.
The deals continue toward the end of the month for the 2025 NFL Draft April 24 through April 26. Dine-in customers can use the code NFLDraft to get 99 cent tacos.
