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Opinion: Another American Tragedy

By Lorretta Ruggiero

May 25, 2022

Two weeks ago, I attended my daughter’s graduation from the University of Houston. This week, I watched with thousands of other parents and family members as my son graduated from high school. And at both graduations, I cried. Not only with the bittersweet emotions of a proud parent, but also...

Galleria High Rise Offices Target of IRS Criminal Investigators Friday [UPDATED]

By Margaret Downing

May 20, 2022

A high rise building in the Galleria area was the scene of an IRS raid Friday and while investigators weren't disclosing information about precisely who they were looking at, the building includes the companies: alliantgroup, Nortex Corporation and Bank of Texas. Fox News reported that agents with the IRS Criminal...

Plane Goes Down Near Dobie High's 9th Grade Campus

By Houston Press

May 7, 2022

A Cessna 421 C Golden Eagle crash landed after taking off from Hobby Airport earlier Friday afternoon. Shortly after take-off, the pilot contacted the tower to say they were having engine issues. The plane landed right behind Dobie High School's 9th Grade Campus and stopped in two backyards, clipping the...

Every Voodoo Doll looks a little different.

Openings and Closings: Zalat Heights, Voodoo Cypress

By Lorretta Ruggiero

Apr 22, 2022

Zalat Pizza, 250 W. 20th, will open April 26 in The Heights. This will be the third location in the Houston area. The new store will have limited seating with a focus on takeout though its website or app plus third party delivery services. Hours vary during the week but...

Healthy food and quality coffee are on the menu at Bluestone Lane.

Openings and Closings: Bluestone Lane says G'day, Deshaun's Lefty's Closures

By Lorretta Ruggiero

Mar 25, 2022

Bluestone Lane, 115 W. 19th, opens March 30. Inspired by the cafe coffee culture of Australia, the specialty coffee roaster and lifestyle brand has chosen the Heights neighborhood for its first-ever Texas location. It will feature 4,400 square feet of space with a welcoming, contemporary atmosphere and a menu of...

Openings and Closings: A New B.B. Italia is Coming, Chris Shepherd Switches Gears

By Lorretta Ruggiero

Mar 4, 2022

B.B. Italia Bistro & Bar, 16250 City Walk Drive, is expected to open this spring in Sugar Land Town Square. The Italian restaurant from Berg Hospitality Group first opened in 2019 in the space formerly occupied by Carmelo's Cucina Italiana. B.B. Italia closed temporarily in February 2021, as we reported...

A chance to see a main stage group in more intimate surroundings at RodeoHouston.

A Surprise Concert With Eli Young Band at RodeoHouston's Hideout

By Houston Press

Mar 1, 2022

Thursday night's rodeo and concert goers and guests at the carnival might want to make another stop before heading home that day. The Eli Young Band which has played the main stage at RodeoHouston three times, will perform in a surprise concert at the Houston Livestock and Rodeo's The Hideout...

The Smoked Brisket Sandwich delivers a smoky Thai kick.

Openings and Closings: Loro Houston Soon, Wild Oats to Sow Now

By Lorretta Ruggiero

Feb 11, 2022

Loro, 1001 W. 11th, opens February 23 in the Heights. This is the third location for the Asian smokehouse and bar, a culinary partnership between James Beard Award-winning chef and pitmaster Aaron Franklin and James Beard Award-winning chef Tyson Cole. Its other two locations are in Austin and Dallas. Loro...

The Ham and Pimento Cheese Bar exemplifies elegant Southern fare.

Openings and Closings: Back Table's New Chef, Austin Waiter's New Gig

By Lorretta Ruggiero

Jan 21, 2022

Back Table Kitchen and Bar, 2301 Millbend, has brought in a new chef de cuisine, Jonathan Lestingi. His background includes working as chef de partie under Patrick O'Connell at The Inn at Little Washington, and a decade spent in New Orleans, Louisiana working at such venerable spots as Brennan's and...

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo calls what's happening with voting "the vestiges of the Jim Crow era."

Mail-in Ballot Applications Are Being Flagged for Rejection at 7 Times the Rate of Previous Elections

By Margaret Downing

Jan 19, 2022

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, echoing the rising chorus of complaints about what is happening with the state's new applications for a ballot-by-mail thanks to the passage of Senate Bill 1 in the last legislative session, said Wednesday that "The attacks we're seeing on voting are but a thinly veiled...

Charcuterie brings all your friends together.

Openings and Closings: Daily Gather Opens, Stella's Debuts

By Lorretta Ruggiero

Jan 14, 2022

Daily Gather, 800 Sorella Court, opened January 11 at CityCentre. The new concept comes from Aaron Lyons, founder and CEO of Five 12 Restaurant Concepts, along with owner Trent Patterson and Culinary Director Brandi Key. Lyons is best known for his farm to table concept, Dish Society, which has six...

Los Tios has blue margaritas on the rocks or frozen.

Openings and Closings: Los Tios and Adair Kitchen Will Expand, 5Kinokawa Opens

By Lorretta Ruggiero

Dec 31, 2021

Plaza in the Park, 5110 Buffalo Speedway, announced that it is adding two new restaurants to its line up at the development from EDENS, a real estate owner, operator and developer with more than 110 places nationwide. The outdoor destination, located near the intersection of Buffalo Speedway and Bissonet currently...

The Wonderburger was on the forefront of the smashburger craze in Houston.

Openings and Closings: Eatsie Boys' Final Week, Temporary Omicron Closures

By Lorretta Ruggiero

Dec 24, 2021

Eatsie Boys, 2202 Dallas, will close at the end of December. The "Intergalactic" food truck was founded in 2010 by executive chef Matt Marcus, Ryan Soroka and Alex Vassilakidis. Its menu items often paid tribute to 1980s hip hop group, the Beastie Boys, with items like the Sabotage sandwich made...

Aaron Franklin and Chris Shepherd have a look at the new smokers.

Loro Houston: A Sneak Peek

By Lorretta Ruggiero

Dec 15, 2021

Pitmaster Aaron Franklin has a lot of fan boys. We apologize if that's a sexist trope and we realize there are plenty of people who adore the famous Franklin Barbecue in Austin. Still, there's something about young guys meeting their smoke hero that makes their eyes light up and give...

Houston's March for Women's Rights in October

U.S. Supreme Court Rules That Challenge to Texas Abortion Law Can Continue, But Doesn't Shut Law Down

By Margaret Downing

Dec 10, 2021

In a partial and very narrow victory for opponents of S.B. 8, the new Texas abortion law that essentially shreds Roe v. Wade protections by banning abortions after the six week mark, the U. S. Supreme Court Friday voted 8-1 to allow abortion providers to continue to challenge the new...

Highline Park overs a variety of dishes in a comfortable atmosphere.

Openings and Closings: Highline Park Opens, Mozambik Galleria Closes

By Lorretta Ruggiero

Dec 3, 2021

Highline Park, 600 N. Shepherd, will open December 3 at M-K-T Heights, next door to its recently opened sister concept, Casa Nomad. In fact, it will share a bathroom and kitchen with the adjacent Tulum-inspired Mexican concept. Owners Roland Keller, Keith Doyle and Tyler Barrera are also the trio behind...

Chris Shepherd is a James Beard Award-winning chef and also an accomplished juggler.

Openings and Closings: Chris Shepherd Plays Musical Chairs, Mala Sichuan at M-K-T Heights

By Lorretta Ruggiero

Nov 26, 2021

This week's Openings and Closings begins with big news in the world of Chris Shepherd and Underbelly Hospitality: UB Preserve, 1609 Westheimer, will close December 23. One of Underbelly Hospitality's more casual eateries, it took the place of its predecessor Underbelly three years ago bringing in chef Nick Wong and...

Torta di Cioccolate al Pistacchio is a simple but rich dessert.

Openings and Closings: J-Bar-M Opens for Lunch, Trattoria Sofia Debuts Next Week

By Lorretta Ruggiero

Nov 19, 2021

Trattoria Sofia, 911 W. 11th, opens its doors November 26 for both lunch and dinner service. Originally, it was planned for November 19 but a gas line issue has delayed the opening. CenterPoint will not be able to replace the pipe until next week. In a press release regarding the...

Andes Cafe will once again serve its South American cuisine.

Openings and Closings: POST Houston Debuts, Bluestone Lane Next Year

By Lorretta Ruggiero

Nov 12, 2021

POST Houston, 401 Travis, will open November 13 with a grand opening extravaganza. The adaptive reuse project has completely transformed the Barbara Jordan Post Office into a mixed-use property for cultural, culinary and commercial concepts. Its international food and market hall will feature over 30 vendors and its Skylawn will...

Chaos, injuries and deaths abruptly ended what had been a happy festival.

Multiple Injuries and Eight Deaths Reported at Astroworld, Which Shuts Down A Day Early [UPDATED]

By DeVaughn Douglas

Nov 6, 2021

When the return of Astroworld was announced earlier this year the 100,000 tickets available sold out within minutes. Friday night, all that enthusiasm turned tragic as the surge of fans rushing to see Travis Scott perform shortly after 9:30 p.m. resulted in eight reported deaths and multiple crowd injuries. Day...

Breaking News

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