Welcome to DiningOut’s Plate Full of News, your weekly serving of Houston restaurant, bar and culinary news. From buzzy openings and chef moves to can’t-miss events, menu debuts and industry updates, here’s everything happening in Houston’s dining scene this week.
The 411
Duckstache Hospitality is giving Houstonians three more places to get their hand roll fix. The restaurant group, led by chefs Daniel Lee and Patrick Pham, plans to open new Handies Douzo locations in Uptown, West University, and EaDo in late 2026 and early 2027. The Uptown outpost, at 2000 Post Oak Blvd., is slated to be the first restaurant to open at the new Central Park Post Oak development, while West U will land at 3908 Bellaire Blvd. and the EaDo location will join the East Blocks development at 1107 Hutchins St. Additional details on menus, design, and opening dates are expected in the coming months.
Houston-area chef Nick Fine is headed to the Caribbean to compete for Invited Clubs’ Chef of the Year title. The Kingwood native and executive chef of the Clubs at Kingwood is one of a select group of chefs vying for the honor from the company, which operates more than 150 private clubs across North America. Fine’s résumé includes stints at Brennan’s of Houston, State of Grace, the Mansion on Turtle Creek, and New York City’s Veritas. He’ll represent Kingwood at a food and wine festival at Casa de Campo, where the Chef of the Year winner will be determined.
Happenings
I’ll Have What She’s Having is launching its first Cold Noodle Club, a Tuesday night pop-up benefiting health care services for Houston hospitality workers. From 6 to 8 p.m. at Eight Row Flint Heights, a rotating lineup of chefs will serve $25 bowls of cold noodles, beginning with Dumpling Haus’ Elaine Won on September 1, followed by Jūn’s Henry Lu and Michael Ma on September 8 and the Blind Goat’s Christine Ha on September 15. Eight Row Flint will also offer a specialty cocktail, with $1 from each drink benefiting the organization.
Houston Zoo is teaming up with Keebler for a Spookie Stripes Safari beginning Tuesday, September 1. Families can explore the zoo in search of striped animals, collect facts about their patterns, and enter for a chance to win a VIP weekend getaway to Nashville Zoo. Visitors may also score free samples of Keebler Spookie Fudge Stripes cookies while supplies last. The experience runs through October and is included with general admission or zoo membership.
Goat Yoga is back at the Woodlands Resort on Saturday, September 5, in partnership with LTD Farms. The one-hour outdoor class combines guided yoga with plenty of time to mingle with the goats and is open to resort guests and the public. Tickets are $60 and include a yoga mat, with just 20 spots available for the 9 a.m. class.
Flora Mexican Kitchen is bringing back its Labor Day Brunch for a second year on Monday, September 7. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Buffalo Bayou Park restaurant will serve brunch favorites and cocktails alongside live music and park views. Reservations are encouraged and can be made online.
Roma Ristorante is pouring a taste of Italy on Tuesday, September 8, with a free guided tasting of three Montepulciano d’Abruzzo wines. A winery representative will lead guests through selections from Chiusa Grande, Casalbordino, and Gran Sasso, sharing details about the producers, the region, and suggested food pairings. Guests can also purchase the featured bottles at discounted prices during the event.
Zanti Cucina Italiana will celebrate the flavors and wines of Northern Italy with “A Night in Lake Como” on Wednesday, September 9 at 6:30 p.m. The six-course dinner from executive chef Hilario Zamora will feature dishes including sea urchin tagliolini, osso buco risotto, and sous-vide short rib, each paired with Italian wines, including a rare 2006 Amarone della Valpolicella. Owner Santiago Pelaez and sommelier Andrés Blanco will guide guests through the dinner, which also marks the first event in Zanti River Oaks’ new private dining space. The cost is $150 per person, plus tax and gratuity, with reservations available by calling the restaurant.
Bludorn is turning back the clock to the disco era on Wednesday, September 9, when acclaimed Seattle cocktail bar Rob Roy takes over the bar for It’s Disco, Baby! From 5 to 8 p.m., the two teams will serve six à la carte cocktails, with three creations from each bar, including the mezcal-and-strawberry Golden Years, the Scotch-based Daddy Cool, and Rush Rush Debbie Harry, a playful spin on the Harvey Wallbanger. Bludorn chef de cuisine Alexandra Peña will also serve bar snacks throughout the one-night-only pop-up.
Ouisie’s Table is ready to bid Houston’s brutal summer farewell with an End-of-Summer Wine in the Garden Party on Saturday, September 12. From 3 to 7 p.m., the River Oaks restaurant will open its Bear’s Garden patio for an afternoon featuring wines from Stag’s Leap, Caymus, Sequoia Grove, and other producers, along with passed appetizers and live music. Guests can also create a take-home floral bouquet while sipping their way through the garden. Tickets are $85 per person, plus tax, and must be purchased in advance via Ouisie’s Table website.
Four Seasons Hotel Houston will once again serve as host hotel for Texas Cocktail Week, bringing bartenders and bars from across Texas and around the world to Downtown Houston September 20-24. Festivities kick off at Bayou & Bottle with an opening party featuring Texas standouts including Austin’s the Roosevelt Room and Bar Fino, Dallas’ Bar Colette, and San Antonio’s Sternewirth and Mixtli, plus Florence’s Locale Firenze, ranked No. 22 on the World’s 50 Best Bars list. The week continues with a packed schedule of guest shifts at Bayou & Bottle and Bandista, including Punch Room Tampa and Vancouver’s Botanist Bar on Monday; celebrated bartender and author Toby Maloney, Grand Cayman’s Library by the Sea, and Nassau’s Bon Vivants on Tuesday; and Milan’s Moebius Milano on Wednesday, when guests can try the bar’s popular Pesto Martini. Bandista closes out the festivities Thursday with a joint guest shift from South Florida’s ViceVersa and the forthcoming Vacanza. Several events are open to the public in a drop-in format, while Bandista guest shifts and select experiences offer one-hour reserved seatings, with walk-ins accommodated when space allows. Bayou & Bottle and Bandista will also remain open nightly until midnight throughout Texas Cocktail Week.
On the Menu
Zanti Cucina Italiana is bringing a taste of the US Open to River Oaks with the tournament’s signature Honey Deuce cocktail, available through Sunday, September 13. Made with Grey Goose vodka, fresh lemonade, raspberry liqueur, and honeydew melon balls, the drink can be enjoyed while catching US Open matches on TVs throughout the restaurant.
7 Brew is getting an early start on fall with five limited-time pumpkin and apple drinks launching Tuesday, September 1. The seasonal lineup includes a Pumpkin Blondie Breve, Caramel Apple Pie Macchiato, Apple Butter Chai, Pumpkin Roll Shake, and frozen Drizzled Apple 7 Brew Energy Chiller.
Le Colonial is offering a polished place to catch college and pro football games this season in its upstairs lounge. Fans can settle in with cocktails like the Lychee Martini and Hanoi Coffee alongside shareable French-Vietnamese dishes, including crispy shrimp and pork rolls and chargrilled pork ribs. The River Oaks District restaurant is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Original ChopShop is adding some heat to its fall lineup with a new Spicy Hawaiian Chicken Bowl, featuring jasmine rice, greens, piña pico, spicy Hawaiian sauce, avocado, and sesame seeds. Beginning Tuesday, September 1, the restaurant will also introduce a seasonal cherry apple lemonade, available to Chops Loyalty members for $1 through the app.
JINYA Ramen Bar is welcoming fall with two limited-time Chef’s Specials available September 1 through November 30. The seasonal offerings include the new Aka Oni Spicy Garlic Ramen and a crispy tonkatsu served with steamed rice. Both are available at participating JINYA locations.
RA Sushi is giving pumpkin season a Japanese-inspired spin with its new Welcome Back Pumpkin menu, launching nationwide Wednesday, September 9. The fall lineup goes well beyond pumpkin spice, pairing pumpkin with ingredients like toro, branzino, snow crab, and Wagyu. Houston diners can find dishes ranging from a pumpkin spice margarita and seasonal sushi to an A5 Wagyu hot stone and pumpkin pie at RA’s CityCentre location.
