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Openings and Closings: Barrel of Monkeys Hospitality Launches, Layne's Chicken Fingers Houston

By Lorretta Ruggiero

Jun 18, 2021

Barrel of Monkeys Hospitality, a newly-formed restaurant group from Monkey’s Tail owner, Jessie Gonzales, launched June 2021. Gonzales founded Monkey’s Tail in 2019 and Barrel of Monkeys Hospitality plans to open several more concepts in the next few years including Grease Monkey, which will open this fall in the Oak Forest/Garden...

Cinnamon and cardamom add some spicy sweetness to cake.

Openings and Closings: Agnes Cafe Debuts, Soto Opens Quietly

By Lorretta Ruggiero

Jun 4, 2021

Agnes Cafe & Provisions, 2132 Bissonet, will open June 8 for breakfast and lunch with dinner service to come later in the month. The Mediterranean-inspired concept comes from Molly Voorhees, President of Beck's Prime and The Chocolate Bar, and longtime friend, Carolyn Dorros, Executive Vice-President of Wolff Companies. The two...

Granted, my definition of "fits in the stocking" is very liberal.

The Art of the Perfect Christmas Stocking

By Jef Rouner

Dec 23, 2020

For some people, the Christmas stocking portion of the holiday is merely an afterthought, something you throw a few candy bars in and call a day. I believe that the stocking is a chance to fully express how much you care for your loved ones in a variety of small...

Get to cooking with the Enchilada Queen.

Houston Holiday Gifts for Foodies

By Lorretta Ruggiero

Dec 17, 2020

It's getting down to the wire. Christmas Day is almost here and Hanukkah is almost over. If you're still scrambling to find a perfect gift for the foodie who has everything, we have a list of local businesses that can ease the stress of holiday shopping. We know foodie is...

Openings and Closings: One Fifth Southern Comfort Pops Up, Bao Bros. Bistro Opens

By Lorretta Ruggiero

Dec 4, 2020

One Fifth Southern Comfort, 1658 Westheimer, begins December 8. Owner/chef Chris Shepherd is constantly innovating and experimenting with his One Fifth concept and he has Matt Staph, chef de cuisine, in charge of this holiday pop up menu. Shepherd's One Fifth restaurant has seen many iterations and the pandemic has...

Honeychild's Sweet Creams is offering boxes of ice cream sandwiches for $30.

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...

Try the famous cannoli at Dolce & Cannoli Pizza Cafe.

Openings and Closings: Dolce & Cannoli Expands, Penny Quarter, Patrenella's Close

By Lorretta Ruggiero

Jun 5, 2020

Dolce & Cannoli Pizza Cafe, 20131 Highway 59, softly opened at Deerbrook Mall May 6. It fully opened May 20 and will be up to 75 percent capacity this week with the Phase III of Governor Greg Abbott's plan to reopen businesses after the original pandemic shutdown. The pizza and...

Chipmonk Baking offers variety packs of their low-carb, low-sugar cookies on their website.

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: The Burger Joint Heights Finally Opens, One Fifth Makes a Change

By Lorretta Ruggiero

Feb 21, 2020

The Burger Joint, 2002 N. Shepherd, opens February 21, after several years of anticipation. The first location opened in Montrose in 2015 and has been a hot spot for lunch, dinner and late night burger fixes. Owners Matthew Pak and Shawn Bermudez (Present Company) have had to jump over a...

Openings and Closings: SusieCakes and Voodoo Doughnut Open, Fluff Bake Bar Relocates

By Lorretta Ruggiero

Jan 17, 2020

SusieCakes, 1709 Dryden, opened January 16 in the Medical Center. This is the second location for the California-based company which was founded thirteen years ago by Susan Sarich in Brentwood, California near Los Angeles. The company soon expanded throughout California and has opened five shops in Texas. Sarich based many...

Voodoo Doughnut Opens Today

By Lorretta Ruggiero

Jan 15, 2020

Voodoo Doughnut, 3715 Washington, is finally here. The grand opening is January 15 at 10 a.m. and there will definitely be a long line of drooling dough nuts. The festivities begin with a ribbon cutting, live band and giveaways. The first 28 customers will receive a free Voodoo Dozen in...

The tikka masala at Tarka is bright and tasty.

Openings and Closings: Tarka Indian and Jeni's Splendid Come to Houston

By Lorretta Ruggiero

Dec 20, 2019

Tarka Indian Kitchen, 3701 S. Shepherd, is slated for a mid-January opening. The ground breaking has already begun in Upper Kirby for the third location of this Austin-based fast casual Indian restaurant. Overall, there are nine locations in Austin, Round Rock, San Antonio and Cedar Park. The new location will...

The most wonderful time of the year is here.

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...

Three meat spread with sides at Tejas Chocolate + Barbecue

Smoked Out: Tejas Chocolate & Barbecue

By Carlos Brandon

May 21, 2019

Scott Moore and partner Michelle Holland don't just own one of the 50 best barbecue joints in Texas (top 10 in our books). They also founded Texas' first bean-to-bar craft chocolatier. What's more, both businesses are under the same roof. Hell, they even roast their cocoa beans in a meat smoker...

Openings and Closings: Bernie's Burger Bus, Common Bond Expand

By Lorretta Ruggiero

Mar 22, 2019

Bernie's Burger Bus, 6324 Highway 6, opened March 15 in Missouri City. This is the first location with drive thru service. It's also the first free-standing Bernie's with a patio and dedicated parking lot. There are three other locations in the Greater Houston area, including the Heights, Katy and Bellaire...

Can we go a whole year without Sweethearts? It looks like we'll have to, but we've got options.

With Conversation Hearts Out, How Else to Say "Be Mine"?

By Susie Tommaney

Feb 6, 2019

Bad news, good news, bad news. Necco, the New England Confectionary Company, went bankrupt last year after more than 150 years of making sugary candies with witty sayings. Which means our annual fix for Sweethearts has come to a screeching halt. Turns out the brand has been acquired by Spangler Candy...

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...

Spaghetti Carbonara is eggy and porky and yummy.

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...

By land and by sea, it's expected that more than 100,000 spectators will be enjoying the annual Christmas Boat Lane Parade.

5 Best Bets This Weekend in Houston: Boat Parade and Gingerbread Houses

By Susie Tommaney

Dec 7, 2018

Gingerbread works quite well if you're a cackling witch trying to fatten up lost, unsuspecting children. But it also seems to be a sturdy construction material. This spiced baked good turns up in both Rec Room's Hansel and Gretel and the Annual Gingerbread Build Off. The weekend also includes holiday cheer...

Sweets

Candytopia: How Sweet It Is

Openings: Howdy Homemade Heroes and Flight Club

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