Since 1969, restaurant, hotel, travel & other witty reviews by a handpicked, worldwide team of discerning professionals—and your views, too.


News for Restaurants in Houston
July 2013 Archive

Search / Openings / Closings / News Bytes / Culinary Events / Wine Dinners / Sign up for our free, monthly newsletter / News Archive

HOUSTON RESTAURANT NEWS

Openings

Houston’s The Palm, closed since February 16, re-opened on July 8, 2013. The popular Galleria-area eatery known for thick steaks and big lobsters, underwent a massive renovation and expansion, adding 100 more seats. Beyond updating the decor, it also added Wi-Fi, flat screen TVs and mood lighting; the menu has been tweaked, too. According to the 85-year-old company, the Houston redo is part of a nationwide updating. The Houston restaurant was chosen as the prototype because of the thriving restaurant economy here. The Palm, 6100 Westheimer Rd., Houston, TX 77057, 713-977-2544.
 
Chef-owner John Sheely has been wowing eaters at his Mockingbird Bistro for more than 30 years and now he’s ready to open a new concept: Osteria Mazzantini, named for his mother’s Italian family, is set to open in the Galleria area in late summer or early fall of this year. Sheely says he'll serve rustic, handcrafted Italian dishes with top-quality ingredients, housemade fresh pastas and hand-tossed pizzas. English-born Paul Lewis, formerly of Cullen’s, will be the executive chef. Osteria Mazzantini, 2200 Post Oak Blvd., Suite 140, Houston, TX 77056, no phone.
 

News Bytes

The Palm is offering Summer Lobster for Two through August 31 The Palm Offering Lobster for Two Special Through August 31
The Palm is offering Summer Lobster for Two through August 31. The special, priced at $79.95, includes a four-pound jumbo Nova Scotia lobster tail, two starters (Caesar salad, lobster bisque, watermelon and mozzarella salad) and two individual sides. The Palm, 6100 Westheimer Rd., Houston, TX 77057, 713-977-2544.
 
Gluten-free Fried Chicken
On July 6, National Fried Chicken Day, Max’s Wine Dive introduced a gluten-free fried chicken. Jerry Lasco, founder and CEO of Lasco Enterprises, which owns Max’s and The Tasting Rooms, said: “As someone who has celiac disease, I'm excited that we now have the capability for all of our guests to enjoy our award-winning fried chicken, a classic American dish.” The chicken is made with a blend of gluten-free flour and dried cauliflower fibers, which create a fried-like coating, and is served with mashed potatoes and collard greens. The chicken is fried in a separate fryer and prepared in an independent area, where exposure to gluten is less likely to occur. Chef Michael Pellegrino has also created other gluten-friendly items such as duck and corn pudding with carrots, broccoli pesto, asparagus and blackberry bordelaise; saffron crème brulee and lobster salad with frisée, baby kale, orange segments, pistachios and orange emulsion; and the Brown Bag Delight with heirloom tomatoes, red onions, tomatillos, fennel, lemon and rosemary, all steamed in a brown bag. Max's Wine Dive, 4720 Washington Ave., Ste. B, Houston, TX 77007, 713-880-8737.
 
Chefs and Show Dogs
James Coney Island, Houston’s hometown hot dog chain with 21 locations, is teaming up with local chefs this summer for a Chefs and Show Dog promotion. In June, Randy Evans, the chef of Haven's, created a Huntin’ Dog that was sold at all of the locations. This month, it’s Kata Robata Sushi + Grill’s chef Hori’s turn. His creation, the Kata Rodoga, is a panko-crusted, deep-fried Hebrew National hot dog in a grilled Slow Dough bun with soft-scrambled eggs, Japanese curry sauce, pickled cucumbers and onions, Yuzu Kosho QP mayo and micro greens. This fusion Japanese dog will be on sale through July for $6.29. Sparrow Bar + Cookshop’s chef Monica Pope will be creating the next show dog for James Coney Island.
 
Happy 25th to CordĂșa and You
Lunch specials at Americas include the popular tres leches cake and a cooling mojito, both of which are priced at just 88 cents in honor of the company’s 1988 founding. The specials are available at Amazon Grill, all Americas locations, Artista and all Churrascos locations. In addition, diners at Americas and Churrascos restaurants can order a three-course chef pairing menu for two priced at $88. The July specials are just the beginning of the 25th anniversary celebration for the company started by chef Michael Cordúa. There will be special events planned for the venues in the fall. Americas, River Oaks Shopping Center, 2040 W. Gray St., Ste. 200, Houston, TX 77019, 832-200-1492.
 

Chef Shuffle

Sous chef Michal Nutt is set to replace Chef Sorren Pederson at Sorrel Urban Bistro. Chef Soren Pederson has split from Sorrel Urban Bistro, the restaurant he helped open in 2011. Owner Ray Salti declined to comment other than to confirm the parting of ways. Pederson also will no longer be associated with Salti’s other restaurants or catering company. Sous chef Michael Nutt has been tapped to take over the kitchen at Sorrel, while Pederson is focusing on a cooking show he recently started that airs in Houston. Sorrel Urban Bistro, 2202 W. Alabama St., Houston, TX 77098, 713-677-0391.
 

Closings

CLOSED FOR GOOD
Take your taste buds on a walk down memory lane! Check out our exclusive closed restaurant database for Houston to virtually visit your favorite dining spots from yesteryear. Zula, R.I.P.

In another surprising move, Katsuya by Stark, the trendy sushi eatery in West Ave, has closed. Sources say sushi chef Katsuya Uechi no longer wanted to be involved in the Houston outpost of his Los Angeles-based eatery. Local investors will turn the site into another Asian-inspired restaurant helmed by local chef David Chang. Katsuya by Stark, West Ave, 2800 Kirby Dr., Houston, TX 77098, no phone.
 

CULINARY EVENTS
Want to
learn to cook? Try new dishes? Meet a foodie friend for fun? Check out our compilation of culinary events in your area.


View our calendar of Wine Dinners & Tastings in Houston

Current News View archived news: October 2013 | September 2013 | August 2013 | July 2013 | June 2013 | May 2013 | April 2013 | March 2013 | February 2013 | January 2013 | December 2012 | November 2012 | October 2012 | September 2012 | August 2012 | July 2012 | June 2012 | May 2012 | April 2012 | March 2012 | February 2012 | January 2012 | December 2011 | November 2011 | October 2011 | September 2011 | August 2011 | July 2011 | June 2011 | May 2011 | April 2011 | March 2011 | February 2011 | January 2011 | December 2010 | November 2010 | October 2010 | September 2010 | August 2010 | July 2010 | June 2010 | May 2010 | April 2010 | March 2010 | February 2010 | January 2010 | December 2009 | November 2009 | October 2009 | September 2009 | August 2009 | July 2009 | June 2009 | May 2009 | April 2009 | March 2009 | February 2009 | November 2008 | June 2008 | May 2008 | March 2008



VALENTINE'S DAY WINES

Add wine to the celebration of love, curated by GAYOT´s Wine & Spirits Editor.

Check the list.

CHAMPAGNE COCKTAILS

For a rosé bubbly Valentine's Day celebration.

Get the recipes.

GAYOT'S RESTAURANT AWARDSOver the years, we have been electing restaurants to be on GAYOT's Yearly Restaurant Awards.

Check the list.