Palm Beach-inspired patio bar Present Company opened in Montrose in July. The expansive venue has 4,200 square feet of space inside and a 6,000-square-foot patio showcasing pink, orange, and yellow hues, as well as tropical accents and birdcage chandeliers. The bar specializes in tropical cocktails and bar snacks, including nachos and cheese fries. The venue can hold about 520 guests for receptions and is available for private events.
The Classic All Day, an American bistro helmed by restaurateur Benjy Levit, opened in the space formerly occupied by Benjy’s on Washington Avenue in August. The restaurant features an American diner-inspired menu created by chefs Mike Potowski and Maria Gonzalez, and a mid-century modern interior, which includes a 40-foot mural that depicts the Buffalo Bayou in historic Houston. The 5,000-square-foot-interior, which has center tables, oversize booths, long banquets, and a 30-swivel-seat counter, seats 160 guests. The venue also has an 1,100-square-foot patio that seats 50 guests. For special events, the venue offers a side room called the Garden Room, which seats 30 guests.
Omni Houston Hotel will reopen in November following a $30 million renovation the property undertook after the flooding from Hurricane Harvey last year. The 378-room property, which will be helmed by new general manager Allan Codore, will have a new design inspired by modern Texas, with a local aesthetic that includes leathers, bronze, brass, and greenery. The first floor of the hotel will have a revamped Houston-inspired coffee and wine bar and a whiskey lounge. Meeting space on the first and second floor will also be redesigned, and the renovation will add 2,500 square feet of new space, which will include two new conference areas with boardrooms and breakout space.
EggHaus Gourmet, a fast-casual breakfast restaurant that specializes in kolaches, tacos, and egg sandwiches, opened in Houston Heights in September. The restaurant, which is helmed by father-son duo Hans and Philipp Sitter, evolved from their kolache pop-ups at their first two Austrian-German concepts King’s Biergarten and King’s BierHaus. The 2,000-square-foot space was designed by Austin-based designer Kim Lewis and features floral wallpaper; yellow, white, and black pops of color; and a 10-foot steel egg at the ordering station. The venue seats 48 people inside and 20 outside and is available for private events.
Flower Child, a national chain restaurant specializing in health food bowls and wraps, opened in Uptown Park in September. Managed by Fox Restaurant Concepts, the mix-and-match-style menu allows diners to create their own combinations with ingredients that include seasonal vegetables, grains, and fruits. The 4,317-square-foot restaurant seats 74 guests inside and 48 guests at a patio.
French Mediterranean restaurant La Villa Saint-Tropez opened in Montrose in July. The 4,000-square-foot restaurant serves seasonal fare prepared by chef Bruno Gallou in an airy, white and blue atmosphere. The venue seats 74 people inside and 42 outside, and also seats 12 guests in a private dining room. There is also a second floor that can be reserved for as many as 50 guests standing. The restaurant also provides audiovisual services, a DJ, a mobile bar rental, and event catering.
Formerly known as Houston Panini & Provisions, Pop and Pan opened an expanded location in Houston Heights in August. Helmed by brothers David and Alex Colby, the restaurant specializes in unique popcorn flavors from a family recipe, which include candied pineapple, white chocolate cranberry, and habanero cheddar. The restaurant also serves paninis and open-faced sandwiches, as well as wine and beer. The 2,025-square-foot venue can hold private events for as many as 70 guests reception-style; it also offers catering.
Pizza Motus opened in the West University neighborhood in August. The fast-casual restaurant, which is owned and managed by Will Grey, serves Roman-style pizza in a casual atmosphere that was designed by Houston artist and welder Mike Scranton. The nearly 2,000-square-foot space seats 50 guests inside and 20 at an outdoor patio, which includes a walk-up window. The restaurant is B.Y.O.B.
Atlanta-based restaurateur Ford Fry opened Superica in Houston Heights in September. The Tex-Mex concept is co-located with Fry’s Gulf seafood and meat restaurant La Lucha in the former Hunky Dory and Bernadine’s space. Superica serves everything from tacos and tamales to fajitas and ceviche, along with margaritas, Mexican and American beer, and wine from California, South America, and Spain. The 5,975-square-foot space seats 128 guests inside and 50 at an outdoor patio.
Ford Fry’s other new restaurant, La Lucha, opened next to Superica in September. The 4,000-square-foot restaurant specializes in fried chicken, burgers, and gulf seafood meals. The restaurant also serves signature cocktails, craft beer, and wine. The venue seats 75 guests inside and 38 on a 1,500-square-foot patio.
