Iconic Burger Joint Expands, Sushi Fave Rolls Out a Sandwich Pop-Up, and More of This Week’s Food News!
May. 22, 2023
Ojo de Agua's fresh-squeezed juices (photo by Jennifer Hasbún)
WHETHER YOU’RE CRAVING fresh seafood, a retro burger, fresh-Mex or Asian fare, there’s always something new cooking in H-Town. Roll up your sleeves and dig in!
Lankford's Has a New Location
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 Packs Big Flavor
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!
Ojo de Agua Pours It On
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’s New Sando Pop-up
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.
Citizens Comes to Montrose
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 Unpacks New Menu
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 Fries Up New Brunch Menu, Fish-Fry Days
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.
Pastore Will Open Soon
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.
From Your Site Articles
- Meet the Handsome Face of Ciel, Houston's Hottest New Restaurant ›
- Chris Shepherd Fires Up New Restaurant off Allen Parkway ›
- Sinful Sweets, New Restaurants and Fresh Picks in Rice Village ›
- Sensational Spin-Offs, Market-Savvy Cafés and More: Best New Restaurants Opening This Week ›
- New Restaurants! Get a Sneak Peek at Five Eateries Opening Right Now in Houston ›
- There’s Nothing Little About New Little’s Oyster Bar: What to Know Before You Go - Houston CityBook ›
- Boasting Frozen Limoncello and Coastal-Cool Italian Food, Underbelly's Pastore Reels In an Opening Date - Houston CityBook ›
- 'Cursed Cauldron' Pops Up at Industry Haunt on Friday the 13th, Serves Spooky Sips through End of October - Houston CityBook ›
- Tomorrow! Gothic, Girl-Powered ‘Cursed Cauldron’ Pop-Up Returns - Houston CityBook ›
Keep Reading
Show less
First-Ever 'New Beginnings' Lunch Lauds Courage of Domestic-Abuse Survivors, Raises $300K
May. 19, 2023
Chairs Sarah Barrett, Jessica Leeke, Alexis Smith, Rachel Delaney
THE INAUGURAL NEW Beginnings lunch, hosted by and benefiting AVDA (Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse), raised nearly $300,000.
The Junior League of Houston ballroom was packed with guests who enjoyed signature cocktails like Empowerment Punch while they perused the silent auction. One coveted item was a piece of art designed and donated by Kimmie Gillespie, a survivor of domestic abuse.
Courtney Zavala emceed, ushering guests to their tables for a seated lunch and introducing speakers such as AVDA CEO Maisha Colter, who had all survivors or those who know a survivor to stand — driving home the pervasiveness of the issue and also helping to remove the stigma.
The lunch honored Stephanie von Stein Schusterman with the Ambassador of Advocacy title, and also featured best-selling author Janine Latus, who spoke on her personal experience with domestic violence.
Succulent Bar provided party favors in the form of a customized plant, signifying "New Beginnings."
Amy Dougherty, Veronica Griffin
Allison Fisher, Julia Stallcup
Stephanie von Stein Schusterman, Maisha Colter
Andi Minett, Courtney Paddock
Stephanie Tsuru, Katie Tsuru
Beth Wolff, Chreyl Byington, Marilu Garza, Leila Perrin, Sandra Porter, Leisa Holland-Nelson Bowman
Jayne Johnston, Karen McCarthy, Kathleen Camp
Rees Anderson, Mario Gudmundsson
Lorna Klebe, Eileen Silverman, Silvia Max
Kimmie Gillespie, Clara Orlean
Mignon Gill, Kristen Cannon
From Your Site Articles
Related Articles Around the Web
Keep Reading
Show less