Houston’s Hottest New Restaurants: Your Fall Guide to the City’s Food Scene — Know More Than the Foodies

Fig & Olive is a restaurant that will attract picture-snapping foodies.

Fig & Olive, an upscale Mediterranean restaurant based in NYC, also opens at The Galleria in 2017.

Four Seasons Houston debuts its new lobby bar and restaurant, Bayou & Bottle, in January 2017.

chef Ryan Lachaine plates at Aces of Tastes' Gulf Coast inspired wine dinner. Lachaine makes his executive chef debut with Riel this fall. (Photo by Jay Tovar)

Fig & Olive is a restaurant that will attract picture-snapping foodies.

The Houston restaurant scene is constantly changing, with new hotspots, must-try places, and major culinary events coming along on a daily basis. Even the most dedicated eater can have trouble keeping up, but don’t worry, PaperCity has you covered.

COMING SOON
Fall 2017 welcomes Japanese-Peruvian fusion restaurant Nobu and New York-based Mediterranean concept Fig & Olive to The Galleria. Both restaurants will occupy the former Saks Fifth Avenue space at 5115 Westheimer Road. Get more details about the restaurants here.

Four Seasons Hotel Houston continues its multi-million dollar transformation with a new lobby bar and restaurant, Bayou & Bottle. The brainchild of Denver-based restaurateur and chef Richard Sandoval, Bayou & Bottle highlights more than 70 upscale bourbon and whiskey bottles, as well as fare inspired by the southwest. Bayou & Bottle is slated to open in January 2017.

French Canadian fare meets Ukrainian cuisine and the Texas Gulf Coast at Riel, a restaurant from chef Ryan Lachaine (Reef, Underbelly). Riel catapults Lachaine into the spotlight, serving as his executive chef and proprietary debut. The menu, which pays homage to Lachaine’s birthplace and heritage, features everything from meat-filled tourtière alongside Gulf Coast seafood to pierogies and borscht. Riel is expected to open in late November at 1927 Fairview Street.

Oxheart chef Justin Yu partners with cocktail connoisseur Bobby Heugel (The Pastry War, Nightingale Room, Julep) for a new neighborhood locale in The Heights, at 544 Yale Street (formerly Dry Creek Cafe). Will it be a bar? A restaurant? A speakeasy with snacks? Few details about the project have been announced, but fans of the duo can expect an early 2017 opening.

Melange Creperie debuts its first brick-and-mortar location at Heights Mercantile (711 Heights Boulevard) in early 2017. The establishment will showcase crepe favorites alongside new additions including salads, soups, sandwiches, agua frescas, and locally roasted coffees.

Outdoor Dining with Bering's

Swipe

Dining and entertainment venue Pinstripes joins the developing mixed-use property Kirby Collection. A prospective opening date has not been set, but Houstonians can expect a locally-sourced dining experience complemented by bocce and bowling.

After debuting The Burger Joint last November, owners Matthew Pak and Shawn Bermudez have their sights set on location number two. The duo plans to open a second location in The Heights at 2002 North Shepherd Drive in spring 2017.

Dallas-based pizzeria Cane Rosso opened its first Houston location this summer at 1835 North Shepherd Drive. The brand brings its signature Neapolitan pizzas to Montrose with a second location at 4306 Yoakum Boulevard next month.

New York-based eatery Halal Guys preps for expansion. The brand opened its first Houston location at 3821 Farnham Street earlier this year, and is planning for a second location at 10111 Louetta Road.

NOW OPEN
Straight from Paris, Amorino gelato is now open in River Oaks District. Expect flower-shaped gelato and sorbet in flavors including dulce de leche, hazlenut, pistachio, and Amarena custard swirled with Italian black cherries.

Bellaire gains a new coffee shop with Dandelion Café, now open at 5405 Bellaire Boulevard. Owner Sarah Lieberman serves locally roasted Greenway Coffee, pastries courtesy Weights + Measures, and bagels. The menu also features an array of salads, sandwiches, and breakfast dishes.

Popular hot dog eatery Good Dog Houston opened its second location, at 1312 West Alabama Street. Expect the brand’s signature gourmet dogs.

SYLVIA’S SECRETS
Fans of Mexican staple Sylvia’s Enchilada Kitchen will soon be able to prepare their favorite restaurant dishes at home. Owner Sylvia Casares releases The Enchilada Queen Cookbook this November with St. Martin’s Press. The book shares Casares’ beloved Tex-Mex recipes, including everything from basic tacos and fajitas to her secret chile sauce and signature enchiladas.

HOT TICKETS
This fall, Eight Row Flint highlights rising culinary stars with its extended Outdoor Cooking Series. The installment features three sous chefs and cooks from Eight Row and Agricole Hospitality sister restaurants Coltivare and Revival Market. Revival Market charcutier Andrew Vaserfirer hosts paella night on Tuesdays, October 4, 11, and 18, followed by Coltivare manager Mike Sanchez, who’s dishing out satays and kabobs on Tuesdays October 25, November 1 and 8. Agricole Hospitality culinary director Vincent Huynh rounds out the season with pho night on Tuesdays, November 15, 22, and 28. The series will continue in January 2017.

Cherry Pie Hospitality chef/partner and State Fare executive chef Jim Mills partners with Round Top destination Rancho Pillow for Feast in the Field, a weeklong dinner series highlighting three guest chefs. The twenty-acre compound and hotel serves as the backdrop for each installment. Mills makes his feast debut on Sunday, September 25, with an encore dinner following on Tuesday, September 27. Chefs Monica Pope and Mike Rivera close out the week. To purchase tickets, click here.

Vallone Restaurant Group prepares for three exclusive wine dinners this fall, the first of which — Tony’s Legendary Cellar Dinner —takes place at Tony’s this Thursday, September 22 at 7 pm. The five-course dinner, which Tony Vallone personally created, is priced at $295 per person. The Wines of Revana with Dr. Madaiah Revana follows at Vallone’s on Thursday, September 29 at 7 pm. The $225 price tag scores guests a four-course dinner and six Revana wines originating from destinations including California, Oregon, and South America. An Evening in Maremma with Tony Vallone rounds out the season on Wednesday, October 5 at Ciao Bella. The Tuscan-inspired, multi-course tasting menu is priced at $95.

Brennan’s tests its new wood burning grill with a three-course Steak Night ($59) on Thursday, September 22. The prix-fixe menu features Texas Creole beef prime rib served with herb-roasted potatoes and vegetable hash alongside turtle soup, salad, and bananas foster. The New Orleans-themed restaurant also features a $99 wine and dine dinner which includes a three-course, prixe-fixe menu for two, paired with a bottle of wine through September 31.

Upscale event venue The Merrill House hosts a five-course wine dinner with Somerston and Priest Ranch wines on Thursday, September 22. Tickets for the dinner start at $115 and can be purchased here.

Channel the ’80s at Hotel Derek’s Back to the ’80s Bingo Night on Thursday, October 13, from 6 to 9 pm. Dance the night away to tunes from Madonna and Prince while indulging in ’80s-themed bites and cocktails.

The presiodential election is right around the corner, and Three Brothers Bakery is celebrating with its very own election cookie poll. Drop by the bakery to cast your vote by purchasing a cookie decorated like your favorite candidate — Hilary Clinton, Donald Trump, or Gingy the Gingerbread Man. The poll continues through election day, Tuesday, November 8.