2. Mozzarella Fritti (Papa Mio Italian Cafe).Despite some shaky beginnings, Papa Mio Italian Cafe has evolved to become a bustling island on otherwise sleepy Lexington Street. This success can at least in part be due to its reliable red sauce cuisine, including the mozzarella fritti (that's fried cheese, boys). A generous serving and a side of tomato gravy is just $5 — the perfect antipasto for a bowl of tortellini.
1. Mozzarella Sticks With Marinara (Gotham Pizza). It may be sacrilegious to go to a joint that serves great pizza and just order a large Greek salad and mozzarella sticks, but that's what I'm inclined to do at Gotham Pizza. The side of sweet basil tomato sauce combined with the insanely rich mini-logs of cheese and bread coating represents all the basic taste notes of cheese pizza taken to the nth power. Which is probably why no matter how much I'm craving a slice, I so often yield to the siren call of these sticks.
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Restaurant News
Openings & Closings
Philippe to become Table & Brian O'Neill's isn't closed.
Molly Dunn
After chef Philippe Schmit left his namesake restaurant, Philippe, back in September, the chef de cuisine at the time, Manuel Pucha, took the reins as executive chef. Now, Philippe's name will change to Table; the restaurant closed on January 11 to prepare for its reopening, which is scheduled for March. The Houston Chronicle's Greg Morago explains that the restaurant will be completely remodeled — decor and menu. The bar downstairs will be twice as big as it is now and will offer a special menu from 3 to 5 p.m. Table's bar will focus more on cocktails and craft beers. Pucha will create a menu filled with dishes that reflect his culinary style of contemporary and updated American dishes. The Chronicle previews a few possible menu items, such as tuna tartare with citrus-infused olive oil and cilantro, baked oysters, brick chicken and vegetable "flights." Morago's article also notes that Schmit is still in Houston and might open a new restaurant. More to come about that possibility.
La Guadalupana did not reopen after the holidays, but have no fear, Mexican-pastry lovers, because the quaint bakery and cafe is not permanently closed. Eater reports that La Guadalupana was scheduled to reopen on Saturday, January 11, and it did. While the reason for the temporary closure has yet to be determined, Eater explains that owner Trancito Diaz has plans to open a shopping center in Pasadena, where he would likely open his second cafe.
Although Brian O'Neill's had a "Farewell Brian O'Neill's New Year's Eve Party," the Irish bar and pub is not closed and won't be closing anytime soon. On January 2, Brian O'Neill's posted on Facebook, "Despite all the rumors Brian O'Neill's is still open and is not closing soon, so come in tonight for $3 Irish Car Bombs, $2 red snappers, and $2 buttery nipples all night long! Specials on all Texas drafts and liquors as well."
We received word that LOLA Catering + Events, LLC has opened a new storefront, at 2280 West Holcombe. The catering and events service moved there in the fall and is now serving takeout lunch and dinner; LOLA will still offer catering services from that location. Chef Richard Hendry will serve staple LOLA dishes, such as the apple gorgonzola salad and the LOLA burger, as well as a variety of new sides, soups and desserts.
B4-U-Eat's newsletter cleared up some confusion with the Fish & The Knife last week. According to the owner, the restaurant will open in about three weeks. Rumors had spread that it might be far from opening, based on the disappearance of its Facebook page and because its opening had been delayed for quite some time. However, the Facebook page was removed because a former employee had created the page.
Remember that makeout bar with the blue door? Well, it's coming back — for real this time. Swamplot reports that Marfreless should reopen on Friday, January 17. From the looks of the renovation photos on Facebook, it will still be dimly lit, so you can...you know...
Anyway...Help out a good cause and get a free meal at Another Broken Egg Cafe, opening in Vintage Park on January 20. On the Thursday, Friday and Saturday leading up to the grand opening, the cafe will offer a free meal to every customer, as well as an opportunity to make donations to a specific charity and nonprofit. On Thursday, January 16, diners may donate to the Houston Food Bank from 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.; on Friday, January 17, from 9 a.m. until 11 p.m., donations may be made to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital; and on Saturday, January 18, customers can make donations to the Houston SPCA from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. During each of these times, the cafe will serve a variety of Southern brunch dishes, including biscuit beignets, French toast, burgers, sandwiches and omelettes. Try out Houston's first Another Broken Egg Cafe and decide for yourself if you want to visit again for a not-free meal.
