Openings
The just opened Revival Market offers a gourmet twist on the old country store. There’s a coffee bar, sidewalk café and local meats, produce and packaged foods for sale. Co-owner/chef Ryan Pera, formerly of The Grove, whips up the menu which includes house cured charcuterie prepared from partner Morgan Weber’s heritage animals from his own farm in Yoakum, Texas. In fact, the glass-fronted charcuterie room is part of the charm of the market’s interior, much of which is made from reclaimed Ship Lap Pine and vintage butcher blocks. House-made preserves, honey and sorghum syrup in old-fashioned glass jars line the shelves. All ingredients come from local family farms and food entrepreneurs---like the sweets from popular pastry chef Rebecca Masson. The opening menu has choices ranging from the soup of the day to a delicious duck confit salad with shaved cabbage and lime ginger dressing. Several sandwiches are offered on thick slices from Slow Dough Breed Co. loaves and a real standout is the Revival Dog made from smoked Mangalitsa (a heritage pig) with green tomato relish on a pretzel bun. Revival is open daily for shopping, breakfast, lunch and dinner. Revival Market, 550 Heights Blvd., Houston, TX 77007, 713-880-8463.
Looks like Indika’s chef/owner Anita Jaisinghani has another hit on her hands. The native born Indian just opened Pondicheri in the multi-use West Ave. center on the edge of River Oaks. Unlike the upscale Indika, Pondicheri eschews white tablecloths for bare wood tables and sports a menu of classic Indian street food made with Texas ingredients, most of which are organic and locally sourced. For now the restaurant is only open for dinner but will expand to include breakfast and lunch counter service and even traditional tiffen service for to-go orders packed in stainless steel containers that can be returned. There’s also a bake lab for fresh buns, cookies and flatbreads and a fairly interesting wine and beer list. Pondicheri, West Ave, 2800 Kirby, Ste.B132, Houston, TX 77098, 713-522-2022.
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Cafe Express Rolls Out New Breakfast Menu Houston-based fast casual chain Cafe Express is adding some sandwiches and plates to its breakfast menu. Corporate chef Greg Martin has been busy in his test kitchen creating fare that includes a breakfast BLT, based on a sandwich his own mom used to make. "It's bacon, lettuce, Roma tomatoes, mayo, scrambled eggs and cheddar cheese on a buttery toasted brioche bun," Martin says. "But mom used to make ours with a fried egg." Also on the menu: a breakfast croissant sandwich; a Morning Club with scrambled eggs, smoked turkey and bacon; and a South of the Border platter of scrambled eggs with chili con queso and a side of black beans, salsa and flour tortillas. Café Express River Oaks, 1422 West Gray St., Houston, TX 77019, 713-522-3100.
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