Traveler's Cart
The duo behind popular restaurant Traveler's Table set their sights on a new sister concept, Traveler's Cart which will open just a few minutes down the road from their original restaurant later this month. The new counter-service concept offers street food-influenced flavors from Thy and Matthew Mitchell's global travels, including Thailand, India, Japan, Morocco, Israel, Mexico, and Jamaica. Customers can also expect a lower price point and a more casual vibe than its counterpart. travelerscart.com
Fish Company Taco
Fish Company Taco, founded in 2018 by Chef Dayatra "Daya" Myers-Hurt and her wife Laura, gained recognition in Galveston for its chef-driven seafood tacos. The restaurant closed in October 2023, disappointing regulars, including the restaurateur and Galveston native behind Pier 6 Seafood & Oyster House, Raz Halili. Halili offered to buy out the restaurant, and Myers-Hurt accepted the offer. Fast forward several months, and the revived Fish Company Taco maintains its original menu of five core tacos. Customers can also look forward to Pier 6 Executive Chef Joe Cervantez and Chef de Cuisine Lexy Garcia's limited-time daily specials. The updated restaurant features a curated cocktails, wine, and specialty beer selection. fishcompanytaco.com
Hungry's Woodway
Hungry's, a Houston institution known for American fare with Mediterranean influences, opened its newest location in August, ahead of its 50th anniversary. The new location marks the first expansion since the Memorial outpost opened 43 years ago. Owned by the Nowamooz and Sharifi families, the new 6,000-square-foot Woodway Drive location features classic and innovative dishes, including plant-based options which were introduced as daily specials in 2016 and have become menu mainstays. The renovated dining room includes a modern bar with indoor/outdoor seating. The restaurant offers a robust wine selection, craft cocktails, delicious brunch options, and a larger variety of catering and event options. hungryscafe.com
Októ
Sof Hospitality, the masterminds behind Doris Metropolitan, Hamsa, and Badolina Bakery, debuted its latest concept, Októ, in Montrose Collective, taking over the former Chelsea space at 888 Westheimer. Októ offers elevated Mediterranean cuisine and a lively bar ambiance. Named after the Greek word for eight, Októ draws inspiration from both its address and Mediterranean culture. Co-owners Itai Ben Eli and Itamar Levy, James Beard Foundation nominees, latest culinary destination offers a seasonal Mediterranean menu influenced by Greece, Italy, and Spain. The 4,200 square-foot space will be open exclusively for dinner and features a scenic bar with a menu that includes craft cocktails and a curated wine list.
Buttermilk Baby
Berg Hospitality Group recently opened Buttermilk Baby, reimagining the classic American soda fountain with modern techniques and delicious dishes. Located in M-K-T Heights, the restaurant features breakfast platters, flaky biscuits, fried chicken sandwiches, burgers, and salads, using high-quality ingredients. Buttermilk Baby is the only restaurant in Houston serving Carvel® soft serve at its whimsical ice cream bar. This partnership marks the brand's Texas debut, with treats like milkshakes and the Carvelanche®. The project, designed by award-winning New York-based design firm, ICRAVE, has several IG-worthy spots and represents Berg Hospitality's "cool casual" approach, blending fine dining aesthetics with a fast-casual concept. thebuttermilkbaby.com
Melrose
Melrose, a new cocktail bar in Montrose, boasts a spirits program developed by an Amsterdam-based consultancy known for collaborations with brands like W Hotels, St. Regis, and Ritz-Carlton. The cocktails promise to be eye-catching, and the bites menu crafted by lauded Houston chef Emmanuel Chavez, a James Beard Award nominee, will also bring in the crowds. Located in the former La Grange space, Melrose is a project by Army Sadeghi, Brandon Duliakas, and Dan Wierck. The venue will feature a revamped interior, a refined service approach, and a redesigned patio, contributing to Montrose's evolving landscape of upscale dining and entertainment options.
Coffee Fellows
Coffee Fellows is expanding in the Greater Houston area with four new locations, three set to open in 2024, starting with a westside location on Eldridge that opened in September. With two popular locations already in Katy and Bellaire, its flagship location in the United States, the café is known for its free milk alternatives, complimentary WiFi, and delicious coffee. Coffee Fellows offers a welcoming atmosphere, sustainable practices, and continued community engagement. The new cafés will provide Houstonians with a place to connect, work, and enjoy a European-style coffee experience. @coffeefellows_usa