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First Look at La Calle Ella, Margaritas at Juanita's

By Lorretta Ruggiero

May 10, 2022

When the weather heats up in Houston, many of us get a yen for a cold margarita at the end of the work week and it's even better when you find a willing partner to convince you to play hooky. Last week, my husband and I decided to satisfy our...

Hidden Gem: Maria Rita's Tex-Mex

By Lorretta Ruggiero

Aug 24, 2021

School is back in session and so is the chaos that surrounds the back-to-school frenzy. Throw in a dose of pandemic craziness and it's a wonder we haven't all lost our minds. For my family, it is my son's senior year of high school and my daughter's senior year at...

A Day Devoted to Dining Out In Houston

By Lorretta Ruggiero

Aug 11, 2021

We all have different ideas of a perfect day out and also with whom we want to spend an entire day. We have romantic dates with our significant others, kid-friendly experiences with our children and party nights with our pals. Then there are times you just need a friend. Just...

Openings and Closings: The Union Kitchen Katy Opens, Lucky's Pub East Closes

By Lorretta Ruggiero

Jun 19, 2020

This week has some surprising new openings and some sad closings, some permanent, some just temporary. As Texas sees a second spike in COVID-19, it's inevitable that it would affect the restaurant industry. Staff are on the front lines serving guests and while most employees are wearing masks, many customers...

Openings and Closings: Kin Dee Debuts, Treebeards Market Square Will Close

By Lorretta Ruggiero

May 22, 2020

In light of Governor Abbott's guidelines for Phase Two of the Reopening of Texas more and more Houston restaurants are finally going forward with dine-in service. We even have a list this week of several new restaurants opening for the first time despite the current difficulties. Bars have a different...

Openings and Closings: Be More Pacific Comes to Houston, III Forks Downtown Closes

By Lorretta Ruggiero

Mar 6, 2020

Be More Pacific, 506 Yale, softly opened March 2. The first brunch service will be Sunday March 8.The Filipino restaurant began as a food truck in Austin in 2011 from founders Mark Pascual and Giovan Cuchapin. They opened a brick and mortar at 7858 Shoal Creek in Austin in 2017...

Holiday Cocktails Around Houston

By Lorretta Ruggiero

Dec 20, 2019

If your holiday spirit is flagging a bit from the stress of card writing (some of us still do that), shopping and trying to get all your work done so that you can take a few days off, we have some spirits that will give you the liquid courage to...

October Dining and Drinking

By Lorretta Ruggiero

Oct 10, 2019

It's October and the temperatures are finally dropping. The slight chill in the air awakens the senses and brings Houstonians outside again to enjoy the patios and terraces of our restaurants and bars. It also stirs the creative juices of local chefs and mixologists who create new fall menu items...

Openings and Closings: Studewood Cantine Opens, Toukei Debuts

By Lorretta Ruggiero

Oct 4, 2019

The Studewood Cantine, 1111 Studewood, opened September 16. The restaurant serves Texas scratch fare which leans toward Tex-Mex and American cuisine. There are typical starters like queso or nachos, but we look forward to seeing if Lety's Pork or Chicken Tamales are the real deal. Fajitas, tacos and combo plates...

Openings and Closings: Candente, Postino Montrose Debut Next Week, Flying Biscuit is Open

By Lorretta Ruggiero

Sep 13, 2019

Candente, 4306 Yoakum, opens September 16. The new Tex-Mex restaurant comes from Sambrooks Management Company. Like another Sambrooks holding, The Pit Room, Candente will focus on smoke and high quality meats, such as prime Niman Ranch skirt steak. Candente's Tampiquena will feature a 9 ounce prime Niman Ranch ribeye topped...

Houston's Best Food and Drink Specials for September

By Lorretta Ruggiero

Sep 11, 2019

The kids are back to school, or maybe you're back in school yourself. While September gives us a peck on the cheek, promising us fall temperatures, our wallets have taken a hit from back to school supplies, refreshed wardrobes, summer vacation splurges and ridiculously priced textbooks. We're here to help...

Openings and Closings: Bravery Chef Hall is Open, Warehouse 72 Next Week

By Lorretta Ruggiero

Jul 26, 2019

Bravery Chef Hall, 409 Travis, softly opened July 23, for dinner only. Next week, the multi-chef food hall will be open for lunch as well. Last year, we wrote about some of the chefs who had signed on for the concept from partners Ahn Mai, Lian Nguyen and Shepard Ross...

What's New on the Menu: Summer Edition

By Lorretta Ruggiero

Jun 26, 2019

Emmaline 3210 W. Dallas Emmaline opened in December 2017 as Sam Governale's first venture into owning his own restaurant after his eight-year stint at Fleming's in River Oaks. Drawing inspiration from his maternal grandmother, mother and three sisters, Governale named his muse Emmaline and that intangible spirit is what drives...

Third Annual Canada Day Celebration at Riel

By Carlos Brandon

Jun 26, 2019

On Sunday June 30, Riel will host its third annual Canada Day celebration. The rowdy, day-long party has been a tradition for the Montrose restaurant — named after Canadian historical figure Louis Riel — since chef-owner and Winnipeg native Ryan Lachaine hosted the first one in 2017. Along with a...

What's New on the Menu Houston?

By Lorretta Ruggiero

May 29, 2019

Relish 2810 Westheimer Executive chef Dustin Teague and wife Addie are adding some new menu items to the Mediterranean-inspired American menu at their comfortable neighborhood eatery with the heat of Houston summer in mind. Dishes like the Summer Tagliatelle is perfect for vegetarians and those who want a light, summery...

Houston Becomes Margaritaville This Friday

By Lorretta Ruggiero

Feb 20, 2019

The designation of every day of the calendar year as a National Something or Other Day seems like well, a national epidemic. While we can get behind days that are dedicated to doughnuts, pancakes or wine, days that honor home warranties or window inspections are obvious marketing ploys. That's not...

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...

Late Night at Love Buzz Pizza Pub

By Kate McLean

Dec 26, 2018

Condoms, rolling papers, cigarettes, an iPhone charger, Big League Chew—it’s two in the morning, what more could you need? “Like a bodega in a box,” Sam English, owner of Love Buzz Pizza Pub, says of his thoughtfully curated vending machine. They even carry the big nose, mustache, eye-glass disguise sets,...

Openings and Closings: Sweet Paris Highland Village and Blanco Tacos Galleria

By Lorretta Ruggiero

Dec 14, 2018

Sweet Paris Creperie and Cafe, 2701 Drexel, opened December 8. The new Highland Village location makes the sixth since the creperie began in 2012, founded by husband and wife, Allison and Ivan Chavez. The duo have traveled the world and are on a mission to revive the art of eating...

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...

Happy Hour Scene

Celebrate National Tequila Day with Happy Hours, Margs and More

Club Soda No Twist: Mocktails for a Cause

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