Welcome to DiningOut’s Plate Full of News, where you’ll get a plateful of restaurant, bar, and chefs happenings each week.
The 411
Kudos are in order for Bandista, which ranked #59 on the lauded North America’s Best Bars list. The speakeasy-style bar hidden behind a bookcase inside the Four Seasons Hotel was the only Houston establishment to make the list, and one of two Texas bars to be named on the 51-100 list. The well-regarded list, which recognizes bars in four countries and 23 cities across the U.S., is decided upon by the Academy voting panel of more than 300 drinks experts, bartenders, educators, and writers from across the region.
84 years after Raul and Mary Molina opened Molina’s Cantina in Houston, the Tex-Mex comfort restaurant has been recognized by the Texas Historical Commission with the Texas Treasure Business Award. The restaurant remains family owned and operated, with the couple’s grandsons, Ricardo, Roberto, and Raul III at the helm.
The team behind Rodeo Goat and Flying Saucer have opened The Kid at 1815 North Durham Drive in the Heights in the space that formerly housed Flying Fish. The casual cocktail lounge features two outdoor patios, indoor table and bar seating, televisions, and a pool table, and combines the best of its sister concepts to bring craft beer and Rodeo Goat burgers to the neighborhood.
Tavola has appointed Milan-native, Filippo Cipelleti as its new General Manager, rounding out the culinary leadership team that includes chef de cuisine Michael Lara, and the Bastion Collection’s corporate chef, Salvatore Martone. Cipelleti brings an impressive resume to the table, with previous stints at Casa Tua, Fleming by Bilboquet, and Sant Ambroeus in New York; and Michelin-starred Il Luogo di Aimo e Nadia in Milan.
Nashville hot chicken brand, Angry Chickz is debuting its first Houston-area location at 18207 Egret Bay Boulevard in Webster on Friday, April 25. Houstonians can enjoy indulgent offerings from Angry Chicz’s signature menu, including Nashville hot chicken with customizable spices, sliders, fries, and mac and cheese. On the day of the grand opening, the first 100 visitors will receive a limited-edition Angry Chickz jersey, while five grand prize winners will score “Angry Chickz for a Year”.
Brothers Brandon and Zane Hunt are expanding their Detroit-style pizza presence in Houston, with the opening of a new Via 313 location at 9250 Broadway Street in Pearland’s Silverlake Business Park on Friday, April 25. Guests are invited to attend the grand opening party, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., featuring a prize wheel, photo booth, ticket giveaway from White Oak Music Hall, and beer sampling from Eureka Heights Brewery. 25% of the day’s proceeds will benefit Pearland Neighborhood Center.
Hopdoddy is opening its newest Houston-area location at the Grid development at 12333 Southwest Freeway in Stafford on Tuesday, April 29. The restaurant will open its doors at 11 a.m., with the first 100 guests treated to complimentary Hopdoddy swag and scratch-off cards with prizes like complimentary shakes, fries, merch, and free burgers for a year. Coinciding with the opening, the burger bar will introduce three new drinks to the menu, including the Gold Rush whiskey sour; the Hoppicane, a riff on a hurricane; and the blazing pineapple margarita.
Happenings
The Marigold Club is hosting a wine dinner showcasing wines from Heitz Cellar and Stony Hill Vineyard on Thursday, April 24 at 6:30 p.m. The evening will begin with champagne & hors d’oeuvres, followed by a four-course meal with highlights including scallop crudo with white tea and citrus crème fraîche, green apple, osetra noir; and slow-roasted short rib with nepitella, roman gnocchi, petit herb gremolata. Tickets are $395 per guest and can be reserved via OpenTable.
DiningOut’s second annual Top Taco festival returns to POST Houston on Thursday, April 24 at 7 p.m. The all-you-can-eat taco extravaganza features bites from more than 25 restaurants, tequila and mezcal tastings, and live lucha libre wrestling. Tickets can be purchased at houston.toptaco.com.
There are two remaining dates for Brennan’s popular courtyard crawfish boils this season. On Thursday, April 24 and Wednesday, May 14, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., guests are invited to enjoy a relaxed outdoor experience featuring crawfish served alongside traditional fixings like potatoes, corn, and smoked sausage. The cost is $60 per person, and reservations can be made here.
Wooster’s Garden is hosting a Woo-Fest celebration, in honor of its 11th anniversary, on Saturday, April 26 from 3 to 10 p.m. The vintage-inspired party will feature a vendor market, live music, burlesque performances, cigar offerings, and a “Best Dressed” contest for guests donning 1900s pre-prohibition era attire.
Chef Abbas Dhanani is hosting a “burger omakase” multi-course dinner at Burger Bodega on Monday, April 28, featuring guest chef Thomas Bille of Belly of the Beast. The tasting menu, not limited to burgers, will include a dessert course from Underground Creamery. Two seatings will be offered at 5 and 8 p.m., with reservations available beginning Tuesday, April 22.
Chefs Mayank Istwal of Musaafer and David Skinner of Ishtia are teaming up for the first time for a 4-Hands “Indian and Native American culinary” dinner on Wednesday, May 7 at Musaafer. The 10-course experience will celebrate the contributions of both cultures, while fusing Indian spices and Native American ingredients. The price is $145 per guest, and seats may be reserved via OpenTable.
On the Menu
With summer Fridays right around the corner, Little Rey is now featuring half-off margaritas every weekday from 3 to 6 p.m. Pair with chips and guac or smoked chicken wings, and enjoy a bargain-friendly happy hour.
Weeks after its grand opening, Chardon has introduced its new daily happy hour, offered in the bar and lounge from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Find drink specials like $5 beer, $9 glasses of wine, and $10 cocktails; plus bar exclusive eats like Chardon sliders with onion fondue for $6 each and steak tartare for $15. Weekend brunch service, complete with a live violinist, is slated to begin Saturday, May 3 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Guests can look forward to elegant morning plates like quiche Lorraine ($18), croissant benedict ($24), and avocado and haricot vert tartine ($17)
Maven at Sawyer Yards’ chef Nico Baizan de Aldecoa is celebrating the bounty of the spring season with a variety of new dishes. On the all day menu, find additions like gazpacho andaluz, a chilled tomato soup; sole meunière with sautéed kale and crispy garlic chips; and a French omelette with beurre blanc and caviar. During brunch, note the addition of a classic cheeseburger; and a pepito sandwich layered with sliced beef, white cheddar, and caramelized onions on baguette. And for something sweet, indulge in a traditional flan topped with baked vanilla custard and chantilly cream.
Little Woodrow’s Sugar Land location has launched a new chef-crafted menu under the direction of chef Tim Griffin, director of culinary for Woody’s brands. Griffin aimed to create dishes that matched up to the bar’s robust beverage offerings, with standouts including housemade chick ‘n’ dumplings featuring chicken and vegetable potstickers with cream sauce; Cajun turkey sandwich, and shrimp po-boy tacos.
Beginning Saturday, April 26, the Town & Country Village location of Relish Restaurant & Bar will launch weekend brunch, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Highlights of the brunch menu include herb biscuits with seasonal jam; buttermilk pancakes with macerated berries; Belgian waffles with crispy chicken thighs; and steak and eggs smothered in ranchero salsa, with potato hash. Cocktails like the aperol spritz and bloody mary made with housemade mix round out the menu. As a bonus, brunch diners can take advantage of all-day happy hour with half-off select cocktails, beer, and wine.
Alora, the Viet-Peruvian restaurant that recently opened in the former Kau Ba space in Montrose, is launching weekend brunch beginning Saturday, April 26 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Brunch features include dishes like salmon on crispy rice toast; Vietnamese sizzling steak and eggs with Comté cheese, pâte and tomatoes; Lima hot chicken and pandan French toast made with marinated chicken tenders and aji limo pepper; and 7-11 sando milk bread, a chicken katsu dish with tonkatsu and patacones.
On April 27, Nobu is launching Sunday brunch service, offered weekly from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Priced at $68 per guest, the experience includes an unlimited selection of salad, sushi, and hot brunch dishes, plus interactive chef stations.
