October is here, which means the holidays are just around the corner. Before the season kicks into high gear with shopping, family gatherings, and endless to-do lists, why not make time to explore some of Houston’s exciting new restaurants?
From new chef-driven hot spots and stylish neighborhood hangouts to a drive-thru bakery dedicated to buttery croissants, the latest openings offer plenty of reasons to get out and eat. Consider it an early holiday gift to yourself. You deserve it.
House of Louie
Nothing gets Houston diners more excited than to see the names Justin Yu and Bobby Heugel together at the helm of a new concept. Yu, a James Beard Award-winning chef, and Heugel, cocktail maestro extraordinaire, have come together once again to launch a new restaurant and bar under their hospitality group, Thorough Fare Co. This time, it is to recreate a piece of Yu’s earlier life when he worked at his family’s California eatery of the same name many years ago. Bringing the same warmth and attention to detail, House of Louie features a small menu of French and Italian-inspired dishes, including a cold starter of fennel and tuna in Pernod, as well as a dish of pici pasta with crunchy chicken skin. Entrees include grilled duck with colatura sauce and red snapper in beurre blanc. 1931 Fairview Ave., Houston, houseoflouiehouston.com
The Branch
Chef Chris Williams is known for Southern cuisine at Lucille’s and his various philanthropic projects, and now he has ventured into the world of luxury hotels and residences with the opening of The Branch. Located on the 12th floor of The Forme, the restaurant and event space incorporates a rooftop patio and pool overlooking Downtown Houston and the Museum District. Morning service begins with a $20 continental-style harvest table of baked goods, charcuterie, and fruit, but there is an a la carte menu as well. After breakfast, the all-day cafe serves a Cabo-inspired menu, centered around a raw bar program, with oysters and crudo. The bar has its own menu of happy hour bites, plus rooftop cocktails such as Oh Giselle, a blend of cachaca, Aperol, strawberry, and basil. 5501 La Branch St., Houston, branchhtx.com
Bar Bludorn The Woodlands
Bludorn Hospitality Group opened a second location of its modern bistro, Bar Bludorn, in The Woodlands earlier this month, marking the chef Aaron Bludorn-led group’s first venture outside central Houston. The restaurant’s interior mixes traditional wood elements with modern design, offering a vibrant space in which guests can view the action of the open kitchen, while enjoying a craft cocktail or one of the many excellent wines. The menu combines French technique with Texas ingredients, offering starters like lobster beignets and guajillo-crusted lamb ribs, plus entrees such as duck chitarra, steak frites, and roast chicken with sage chimichurri. 25 Waterway Ave., The Woodlands, barbludornwoodlands.com
Ayla
The global flavors at this newly-opened restaurant at InterContinental Hotel come courtesy of its Jordanian-born chef, Ibrahim Alsharif. Blending Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines, the menu features a must-have mezze table, meant for sharing. It features a selection of shareables like beet root hummus, roasted red pepper dip, and whipped feta, with wood-fired pita for dipping. The large plates are just as tempting including Levantine chicken kebab, lamb chops Royale, and salmon with saffron risotto. To pair with the herbal flavors, there are botanical cocktails and a list of Mediterranean wines. 6750 Main St., Houston, aylakitchen.com
Love Croissants
Renowned pastry chef Omar Pereney opened his first standalone bakery in the Heights, featuring his famed croissants, an expanded menu, full coffee program, and a high-touch drive-thru. The new location will serve as the flagship for the concept, which first launched at Weights + Measures, the Midtown eatery that Pereney took over as operating partner earlier this year. The bakery has indoor and outdoor seating, and the menu includes the beautifully-laminated croissants for which he is known, plus hefty breakfast and lunch sandwiches like the PB&J and the turkey avocado club. 801 W. 16th St., Houston, lovecroissants.com
Majestic Kitchen
Located in Sugar Land Town Square in the former home of Mahesh’s Kitchen, this Indian restaurant celebrated its grand opening on October 17. The well-appointed interior sets the stage for a menu featuring starters like avocado chaat and onion bhaji, along with a variety of curries, including butter chicken and mutton masala. Nepal-born chef Dipak Aryal draws inspiration from across South Asia with dishes like seaside pomfret, featuring fish marinated in ginger, garlic, and gunpowder masala. Vegetarians will find plenty of options, including aloo gobi and daal tadka. The restaurant’s striking bar is a focal point of the space, with cocktails that are just as eye-catching.16019 City Walk, Sugar Land, majestickitchentx.com
Trill Burgers
Local rap legend Bun B is on a roll with his smashburger concept, having opened the fourth location at the end of September. The signature black and yellow colors beckon fans to come in for its OG burger, with two all beef patties, caramelized onions, American cheese, pickles, and Trill sauce. For non-meat eaters, there’s the Vegan OG, made with plant-based patties and vegan cheese. The only side offering is the Trill fries, but there are milkshakes and freshly-squeezed lemonades in a variety of flavors. 7616 Westheimer Rd., Houston, trillburgers.com
Galiana’s Casa Del Tequila
Family-owned Grupo Herrera Restaurant Group has relocated and rebranded its former Galiana’s Tex-Mex & Agave Bar concept, giving it a fresh identity in a new location. Now located on Towne Lake in Cypress, the restaurant serves a coastal menu of Mexican seafood like tequila shrimp skillet, octopus tacos, and risotto Veracruzano. Dishes like carne asada nortena and 1855 Black Angus beef fajitas will satisfy carnivores. True to its name, there is an extensive list of agave spirits, with flights available for trying new sips. 11231 Greenhouse Rd., Houston, galianas.com
