Lankford's burger
In a historic move, Lankford’s (established in 1937) recently opened a second location of its iconic burger joint in Bellaire. While the divey original near Midtown remains, its new spot features full-service amenities including a 20-tap self-serve draft system showcasing local craft brews and rotating specials. As for the food, the menu mirrors the original with American burgers, sandwiches, sides and breakfast.
Little's Oyster Bar
Little’s Oyster Bar by Pappas Restaurants has officially replaced Little Pappa’s Seafood House in its original S. Shepherd location. The building got a major overhaul with an impressive, sleek, Gulf Coast aesthetic including a shiny new bar, retractable roof patio (!) and a cool little side room with retro finishes. The food, by chef Jason Ryczek, a California native and caviar expert, wows as well. Gulf fish like grouper and snapper are sourced using Pappas’ own boats; expect also King salmon, Maine lobster and jumbo lump blue crab, and a steak. A menu highlight is the stellar caviar service with unique accompaniments and California white sturgeon Ryczek personally harvested. Read all the details in a future post coming soon!
Acaí bowl at Ojo de Agua
As we hinted recently, this Mexico City-born concept has now opened its doors in the River Oaks District luxury shopping mecca. The fast-casual all-day café features healthful and equally artful Mexican cuisine — think smoothies, chilaquiles, curry-marinated lobster tacos, and eye-popping acai bowls overflowing with tropical fruit. The fresh-pressed juices are festively decorated, and the bright Tulum-inspired interiors are vibrant murals, hanging wicker chairs, lush greenery and a side patio.
Money Cat sandos
Fans of executive chef Sherman Yeung’s chicken katsu sando will welcome news of the Money Cat Sando Pop-Up May 22 through June 4. Inspired by Yeung’s travels and a minor fixation on the East meets West snack, Yeung will show off his take with two Japanese-style sandwiches on fluffy house-made milk bread. Available lunch and dinner and to-go, guests may choose Menchi Katsu Curry: breaded pork patty, Japanese curry, sweet pickled cabbage, onion mayo; or Egg Salad: Japanese egg salad, soft boiled egg, Calabrian chili mayo, crispy chips.
Located across from the still-new Montrose Collective, Citizens is an all-day Australian-inspired café founded in New York by native Aussies Just Giuffrida and Andrew Geisel. Naturally, you’ll want to start with the Australian staple to drink — a flat white — but there are several house coffee blends and nitro cold brews, too. Breakfast-focused hearty plates include cast-iron-chorizo-baked eggs, banana-bread French toast, and a pulled-pork benny served on a signature Cheddar biscuit. Lunch options are available.
Traveler’s Table Grand Mariner and Lost in Translation cocktails (photo by Becca Wright)
Dreaming of summer travels? If you can’t get away, try the new dishes on Traveler’s Table’s new brunch, lunch, dessert and cocktail menus. Start with small plates like the new Singaporean soft-shell chili crab, and move on the Kinoko nabe with Japanese mushrooms, Asian vegetables and udon noodles. To drink, try the Lost in Translation, a beckoning cherry-blossom martini. For the finale, there’s a black-sesame lava cake for the dark-chocolate lovers, and a light and fresh rosewater panna cotta.
Navy Blue's fish fry
Navy Blue’s new brunch menu brings on the classics such as crab Benedict with bib lettuce, tomato jam and hollandaise; cold smoked salmon with jumbo asparagus; a poached egg topped with sauce bearnaise; French toast with blueberry compote; and cinnamon and vanilla glazed Sticky Buns. Plus, come hungry for the Sunday and Monday fish fry seafood feast night with fried cod, shrimp, soft shell crab, and fried artichokes and ramps. Guests will also enjoy a pickle jar filled with shrimp, mussels, assorted vegetables, and a side of black-eyed peas and coleslaw, all topped off with a side of homemade Texas toast.
Executive chef Jeff Potts
Underbelly Hospitality recently announced its new Italian concept Pastore, located along Allen Parkway, will be arriving this June. Exec chef Jeff Potts says he is still working on the menu, but you can expect crudos, whole roasted fish, and flatbreads, an homage to the kitchen’s hearth.
Robin Barr Sussman
Chris Becker
