Tony Vallone has a new restaurant in the works. Caffe Bello, scheduled to open late this month in the former La Strada space on Westheimer in the Montrose, is the most casual of his Italian concepts. The no-tablecloth place will feature cutting-edge Italian food and wine at competitive prices, with a patio upstairs that can be reserved, open or enclosed, for private parties … Big doings (finally) at West Ave. It seems Schiller-Del Grande Restaurant Group is readying two new concepts for a December opening: Ava Brasserie and Pizzeria Alto. Ava’s 6,400-square-foot downstairs space will have a casual feel with a long bar, tables facing Kirby, a conservatory for overflow dining and private parties, even a sidewalk patio. Look for a mix of American and Mediterranean fare such as pasta, seafood, burgers and steaks. Upstairs, Pizzeria Alto will fill its 4,800 square feet with share tables, a late-night menu and — you guessed it — chef-driven pizzas. The GM for both West Ave concepts is Rawad Semaan, with Susan Bennett as operating partner … Pitmasters, there’s a new guy in town. Phil’s Texas Barbecue, owned by Phil Stephenson and his cousins Danae Stephenson and Martin Pike, has opened at Heights Boulevard and Washington Avenue in a circa-1930 garage … In Memorial, the stellar seafood concept McCormick & Schmick’s has set up a Town & Country Village outpost … In a month, you won’t recognize Rice Epicurean Markets on Holcombe. Currently closed for a multi-million-dollar redo, the new layout will enlarge the meat and seafood area, bakery, wine department, produce section and floral shop … Cupcake imitators have sprouted up coast to coast, inspired by the success of Beverly Hills–based Sprinkles Cupcakes, but now we have our very own Sprinkles in Highland Village, freshly opened last month … Elizabeth Abraham and Manfred Jachmich, co-owners of SoVino Bistro & Wine Bar, transitioned their Montrose eatery into Café Moustache late last month. Chef Rudolf “Pierre” Merlin serves French country-comfort fare with waiter service by night and, starting July 6, quick counter service at lunch; brunch joins the menu on July 11. This modern update of Jachmich’s popular ’80s haunt will even include a crêperie with savory and sweet selections … Chef Julia Sharaby, who cooks on four wheels on board her Fusion Taco truck, will open a new restaurant, Julia’s at the Brownstone, in September. She’ll serve breakfast, lunch, dinner, late-night bites and weekend brunch at the bistro, which will be adjacent to the popular Red Room bar on Virginia … Who doesn’t love an ice-cold beer in this sweltering heat? Seamus Campbell and Robin Goldstein’s new primer, The Beer Trials (Workman Publishing, $14.95), gives the lowdown on which craft brews and macro-lagers you should seek out, each chosen through a series of critical blind tastings. If wine is your thing, uncork Wes Marshall’s new primer, What’s a Wine Lover to Do? (Artisan, $17.95) — 334 tips covering everything from the best cooking wines to how to find the sweet spot on a restaurant wine list.