Houston Press | The Leading Independent News Source in Houston, Texas

Openings and Closings: Concura Opens, NettBar Expands

By Lorretta Ruggiero

Aug 20, 2021

Concura Italian Bites, 4340 Westheimer, opened August 17. The new restaurant is a project by Italian fashion and design consultant, Jessica Biondi, who hails from Fano, Marche in Italy. Biondi's Italian heritage is inspiration for a menu that explores the less discovered regions of Italy and she has brought in executive...

Openings and Closings: Cafe Leonelli Debuts Soon, Ritual Closes This Week

By Lorretta Ruggiero

Apr 2, 2021

Cafe Leonelli, 5500 Main, will open at the Nancy and Rich Kinder Building at Museum of Fine Arts Houston April 16. The cafe comes from The Bastion Collection with partner and Michelin-starred chef Jonathan Benno at the helm. This will be the first Houston outpost for the Leonelli brand. Currently,...

Openings and Closings: Common Bond On-the-Go in G.O., Fegen's Heights

By Lorretta Ruggiero

Mar 12, 2021

Common Bond On-The-Go, 3210 N. Shepherd, opened March 4 in Garden Oaks. It's the second location for the brand's more casual, trimmed down version of its popular Common Bond Bistro and Bakery. The first offshoot opened in the Heights in May 2020. Common Bond's success lies in its fresh baked...

Good News: It's Girl Scout Cookie Time

By Houston Press

Feb 4, 2021

The Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council have kicked off Girl Scout Cookie Season 2021 and thanks to the continuing pandemic they have incorporated some new ways of ordering into their program. There are digital storefronts, a partnership with Grubhub for contactless deliveries in certain areas starting February 12 as...

12 Days of Favorite Houston Food & Drink Experiences in 2020, Part 2: Treats & Trends

By Houston Press and Houston Food Finder

Dec 10, 2020

Welcome to the second part of a series where we showcase the noteworthy food and drink experiences of a very weird year. In the spirit of the holidays, it's also a very special collaboration between the food writers of the Houston Press and Houston Food Finder, the online publication founded...

Where to Support Bakers Against Racism

By Erika Kwee

Jun 17, 2020

This week marks a national effort across the globe to fight racism using the humble tools of butter, sugar and flour. Bakers Against Racism is a "worldwide virtual bake sale" that invites bakers everywhere to join together, sell sweets, and raise money for their organization of choice to support the...

Stay Home, Snack Healthy with Chipmonk Baking Cookies

By Erika Kwee

Mar 26, 2020

After social distancing for more than a few days, it's all too easy to fall into the all-day snacking trap at home. If you’re currently dreaming of a cookie that will curb your cravings and also just happens to be low-carb, low-sugar and delivered to your doorstep, now is a...

Openings and Closings: El Capitan Opens, Ibiza Closes Next Week

By Lorretta Ruggiero

Feb 7, 2020

El Capitan Seafood and Mexican Grill, 17519 N. Gessner, opened early January. This is the second location. The original is in Hobart, Indiana. The restaurant offers traditional Mexican cuisine along with seafood boils and other dishes inspired by the Mexican coast. Expect menu prices at dinner to be a bit...

Openings and Closings: Adair Downtown Debuts, Buff Burger Shutters Two Locations

By Lorretta Ruggiero

Jan 31, 2020

Adair Downtown, 1000 Louisiana, opened January 27 in Wells Fargo Plaza. The new concept offers four different areas: a full service restaurant, a gourmet coffee bar, a cocktail bar and patio, plus a grab and go market. The restaurant's menu features some of the items from Eloise Nichols and Adair...

Today's the Day: Girl Scouts Are Standing By to Take Your Cookie Orders

By Margaret Downing

Jan 23, 2020

Been dreaming of Thin Mints for a year? Maybe you're a Caramel Delights kind of guy or gal. Or a shortbread cookie traditionalist. In any case, whether you were a Brownie or Girl Scout in your younger days or you just love the cookies, that time of year is upon...

Houston Holiday Desserts

By Lorretta Ruggiero

Dec 17, 2019

While some of us are busy making homemade divinity and dozens of pecan sandies, rugelach or cookie cutter Christmas trees, others are busy scanning the internet for bakeries and restaurants that can alleviate some of the holiday stress by providing sweet treats for parties, family dinners and get-togethers with friends...

These Houston Spots are Offering “Boo”ze, Tricks and Treats this Halloween

By Brooke Viggiano

Oct 21, 2019

From “boo”zy cocktails and candy and wine pairings to Halloween cupcakes, cookies, and treats, here is where to find Halloween food and drink offerings in Houston: 13 Celsius, 3000 Caroline This Halloween, 13 Celsius invites guests to enjoy “Adult Candy” (aka wine), featuring a flight of four ‘Orange Wines’ for...

Smoked Out: Truth BBQ

By Carlos Brandon

Apr 2, 2019

In this weekly series we're visiting the many smokehouses that call Houston and its surrounding suburbs home, along the way testing their mettle and judging their brisket (among other things). This column aims to highlight both the restaurants and pitmasters that define Houston barbecue. Brenham is a small, awkwardly located...

Valentine's Day Preparations Take Two

By Kate McLean

Feb 11, 2019

No need to stress over the Valentine's day spread because here at the Houston Press, we've got you covered. Compiled below is a list of seal the deal treats and what’s this— chocolate is nowhere to be found. Because unless that word is followed by “fountain,” it’s just not sexy...

King Cakes for a Houston Mardi Gras

By Lorretta Ruggiero

Feb 4, 2019

It's February and it's time to go down to the Mardi Gras. For some, that means beads and boobs. For others, it's a license to get loaded on Hurricanes and daiquiris. And for the devout, it's time to prepare for the Lenten period and load up on all the sweets,...

Openings and Closings: Mademoiselle Louise, Rustika and The Roastery Open

By Lorretta Ruggiero

Feb 1, 2019

Mademoiselle Louise, 1725 Main, opened les portes January 7 on the bottom floor of the Sky House apartments. Frederick Fortin, from Normandy, France, left his career in telecommunications to study the art of patisserie at prestigious schools such as Ecole Nationale Superieure de la Patisserie in Yssingeaux and Ecole de...

Best of Houston® 2019: Best Ice Cream

By Houston Press

Jan 21, 2019

Best Ice Cream: Fat Cat Creamery Fat Cat Creamery isn’t out to reinvent the wheel. Sure, they branch out into interesting flavor combinations beyond vanilla and chocolate — caramel apple, spiced cream and lavender honey all appeared on the menu in 2018 — but there’s a lovely simplicity to what...

Openings and Closings: Roma, Sorriso Open, Pax Americana Closes

By Lorretta Ruggiero

Jan 18, 2019

Roma, 2347 University, officially opened January 11. The new Roman-inspired trattoria takes the place of Shanon and Wende Scott's upscale ristorante, Sud Italia, which closed January 1 to make way for the Scotts' new more casual and affordable concept. Described as an "ode to the foodways of Southern Italy", the...

Openings and Closings: Pacific Poke Debuts, Siu Lap City Renews

By Lorretta Ruggiero

Dec 21, 2018

Pacific Poke, 5549 Richmond, softly opened December 17. Owner Andre Mercado is bringing the trendy poke and some of its fellow Hawaiian dishes to the Galleria area. A grand opening is still in the works, according to the restaurant's Facebook page. Poke started out as a Hawaiian fisherman's snack and...

Openings and Closings: Joy Love Expands, Krab Queenz Opens

By Lorretta Ruggiero

Nov 23, 2018

Joy Love Burgers, 13150 FM 529 opened October 26. This is the fourth location for the family-owned small burger chain and a drive down Barker-Cypress near Highway 290 shows an upcoming fifth location. I know this, because my son and I excitedly drove into the strip center to find it...

Desserts

Girl Scout Cookie Booths Open Today

Openings & Closings: Fajitas A Go-ing Go-ing Ghost

I support

Keep the Houston Press Free.