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
Bar Bludorn Woodlands has a new opening date. The latest restaurant from chef Aaron Bludorn and team will now open Friday, October 2, a slight shift from its previously announced date. The Woodlands outpost marks the second location of Bar Bludorn, bringing the Houston restaurant’s neighborhood-minded approach north of the city.
Grimaldi’s Pizzeria is turning pizza night into a way to give back throughout September, partnering with No Kid Hungry for the 14th consecutive year. Diners who make an in-restaurant donation to the organization will receive a promotional card in the same amount, in $5 increments up to $25 per visit, to redeem on a future trip to Grimaldi’s. The pizzeria says its annual campaigns have raised more than $1.4 million for No Kid Hungry since 2013, supporting programs that help connect children with meals. Donations must be made in person at participating Grimaldi’s locations to receive the promotional card.
Discovery Green has added some larger-than-life visitors to Downtown this fall with Fantastic Animals from México: Alebrijes and Nahuales, a free public art installation on view through Sunday, October 18. Eight colorful, 20-foot sculptures created by Mexican artists and inspired by Mesoamerican folklore are scattered throughout the park, with local restaurants getting in on the fun, too. The Grove, Xochi, and Zaranda are serving mezcal cocktails inspired by the fantastical creatures, including a blood orange, pomegranate, and mezcal Happy Alien at Xochi and Zaranda; $1 from every $15 Happy Alien sold at Xochi benefits Discovery Green Conservancy.
Downtown is getting a new all-day dining destination this fall. Lila’s, a 5,100-square-foot restaurant and cocktail bar from Dallas-based Rebees, will open at 1201 Fannin St. at GreenStreet with former Azumi executive chef Garee Battad leading the kitchen. Battad, whose résumé also includes Nobu, Charlie Palmer, Craft, and Gordon Ramsay, is developing a seasonal New American menu influenced by Houston’s multicultural dining scene, with service stretching from morning coffee and lunch through dinner and late-night bites. Former Billy Can Can and Midnight Rambler bartender Zach Smigiel will oversee cocktails, wine, beer, and zero-proof drinks. Named after Rebees founder Tristan Simon’s French bulldog, Lila’s is being designed with the feel of a boutique hotel, with lounge areas, a lively bar, and spaces geared toward everything from workday meetings to pre-show drinks.
Happenings
Le Colonial Houston is marking 10 years in River Oaks District with a weeklong anniversary celebration kicking off Wednesday, September 23. The French Vietnamese restaurant will bring back favorites for a limited-time anniversary menu, including grilled shrimp on sugar cane, shrimp and mango ceviche, spicy saté beef, roasted lemongrass chicken, and a mango sticky rice sundae. Upstairs in the lounge, two throwback cocktails—the Red Lotus and LC Gin & Tonic—return, with DJs playing Thursday through Saturday from 9 p.m. to midnight. The festivities peak Saturday, September 26 at 5:30 p.m., when a traditional lion and dragon dance makes its way through the restaurant. The milestone also marks a decade in Houston for chef and James Beard Award-winning cookbook author Nicole Routhier, who helped create the menu for the original Le Colonial in New York in 1993. Anniversary dining and festivities are open to restaurant guests; reservations can be made through Le Colonial Houston.
Roma brings a taste of Tuscany to Rice Village on Wednesday, September 23 at 7 p.m. with a four-course Sasso di Sole Wine Dinner hosted by winemaker Marco Cuscito. The $89 dinner begins with pappa al pomodoro paired with Sangiovese before moving into pappardelle with wild boar and Rosso di Montalcino, followed by peppery braised beef with creamy polenta alongside a 2020 Brunello di Montalcino. Vin Santo accompanies dessert to close out the evening. Cuscito will guide guests through the featured wines and pairings throughout dinner. Tickets are $89 per person, plus tax and gratuity; reservations can be made directly through Roma.
The Woodlands Resort is trading pine trees for palm-tree vibes on Friday, September 25, with Island Escape: A Hawaiian Luau, a free community event from 5 to 7 p.m. at the resort’s Forest Deck. The evening will feature live Hawaiian music, hula dancers, Polynesian warriors and drummers, plus interactive hula and limbo lessons, a build-your-own lei station, snow cones, glitter tattoos, and photo ops. Admission is complimentary, but an RSVP is required through Eventbrite. Guests can also purchase a Hawaiian-inspired buffet at Harrison’s for $75 per adult and $45 per child, along with tropical cocktails. For a splurge, VIP Island Tables can be reserved in advance and include premium views of the performances, dedicated service, the buffet for up to four guests, and a bottle of Champagne.
Brennan’s of Houston will welcome back local rock band P.F. & The Flyers for Dinner and a Show on Sunday, September 27, pairing a three-course prix fixe dinner with the band’s high-energy takes on Top 40 hits from the ’60s and ’70s. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with the event beginning at 6:30 p.m. Wines will be available by the glass and bottle, and tickets are $75 per person, plus tax and gratuity, available through Brennan’s event page.
On the Menu
Negroni Week is back September 21-27, and Zanti Cucina Italiana in River Oaks is getting into the spirit with two riffs on the iconic Italian cocktail. The Espresso Negroni combines Gray Whale Gin, Campari, Evil Bean Coffee Liqueur, Cynar, and cocoa bitters with an orange twist, while traditionalists can opt for the Classic Negroni, made with Malfy Gin, Campari, and Martini & Rossi Rubino.
Yuma is raising a glass—and a sandwich—to its Washington Avenue predecessor with the Ninja Dip, a limited-time collaboration with former Ninja Ramen owner Chris Huang and Tokyo X. Available Wednesday, September 23 through Monday, September 28, the French dip-inspired creation piles Huang’s signature pork chashu onto Yuma’s house-baked Cuban bread with nori aioli, tamari-marinated hearts of palm, and green onion, with thickened ramen broth on the side for dunking. A limited number of diners who order the sandwich will also score a complimentary one-day pass to Tokyo X, the Japanese culture festival happening September 26 and 27 at Reliant Center. The collaboration wraps Monday with Yuma’s karaoke night, carrying on another tradition from the Ninja Ramen days.
Dandelion Cafe is getting into the fall spirit with seasonal specials available September through November. The star is a fluffy pumpkin pancake layered with bourbon caramel cream cheese and topped with whipped cream and candied pecans. On the drink side, guests can sip a classic pumpkin latte or a vibrant ube latte with creamy, nutty vanilla notes, both available hot or iced.
Crawfish Cafe is giving catfish the Cajun treatment with two new dishes now available at its Houston-area locations. The Blackened Catfish Plate tops fried rice with two blackened catfish fillets and Cajun cream sauce, while the heartier Blackened Catfish Opelousas & Grits pairs the fish with cheesy grits, crawfish tails, corn, and Cajun cream.
