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Restaurant News

Openings and Closings: 2009 Edition

By Katharine Shilcutt, Thursday, Jan. 7 2010 @ 4:30PM
Comments (22)
Categories: Restaurant News

Thumbnail image for open.jpg
​
The year gone by marked some very exciting restaurant openings (such as Haven, Branchwater Tavern, Yelapa Playa Mexicana and Stella Sola) and some equally important closings (such as Cafe Annie, Bedford, Las Alamedas and Felix Mexican Restaurant). To close out the year, Robb Walsh recapped his favorite restaurant openings of the past decade as well as the biggest losses to the Houston restaurant scene in the last ten years, with many people chiming in on both posts.

Below, a review of all the restaurants in Houston that opened, closed or moved in the past year, in alphabetical order.

OPENINGS

III Forks, 1201 Fannin
1905 Pizza Bar, 2228 Texas Drive, Sugar Land
3 Olives, 22764 Westheimer Parkway
901 Postoffice, 901 Postoffice, Galveston

Abhiruchi Indian Cuisine, 14045 Westheimer
Alicia's Mexican Grill, 26326 Highway 290, Cypress
Andalucia Tapas & Taverna, 1201 San Jacinto
Angus Grill, 6106 Westheimer
Argentina Cafe, 3055 Sage, Suite 130
Armond Bakery, 12151 Westheimer, #L

Bar-B-Que Blues, 5404 Almeda
Basil Grill, 7952 Westheimer
Bistro Alex, 800 W Sam Houston Parkway
Bistro LeCroy, 2021 Strand St, Galveston
Block 7 Wine Company, 720 Shepherd Drive
Bodega's Taco Shop, 1200 Binz
Bombay Pizza Company, 914 Main, Suite 105
Boudreaux's Cajun Kitchen, 9774 Katy Freeway
Boudreaux's on the Bayou, 6310 Heards Lane, Galveston
Bullrito's, 12719 FM 1960
Buon Cibo Italian Grill, 3202 Marina Bay Drive, #J, League City
Branchwater Tavern, 510 Shepherd
The Broken Spoke (new managment/menu), 1809 Washington
Byrd's Market & Cafe, 420 Main

Calliope's Po-Boy, 2130 Jefferson
Candelari's, 2617 W Holcombe
Canopy, 3939 Montrose, Suite C
Cafe Balkan, 10846 Westheimer
Cafe Beirut, 3223 Hillcroft
Cafe Ginger, 1952 West Gray
Cafe Rose, 800 W Sam Houston Parkway
Cafe Yasmeen, 11920 Highway 6 South, #1300, Sugar Land
Capital Q, 1228 Seawall Boulevard, Galveston
Cajun Boiled Crawfish, 19640 Kuykendahl, Spring
Cajun Family Restaurant, 25282 Northwest Freeway, #150, Cypress
Celebrity Cupcakes, 2343 University Boulevard, Suite B
The Chelsea Grill, 4621 Montrose
Chez Roux, 600 La Torretta Boulevard, Montgomery
Chicago Style Deli, 13080 Highway 105 West, Conroe
Chopin Mon Ami Restaurant, 1508 39th Street, Galveston
Ciao Bello, 5161 San Felipe, Suite 100
Clary's Seafood, 8509 Teichman, Galveston
Coffee Bistro, 109 Meadow Parkway, League City
Crush Wine Bar, 20 Waterway, Suite 200, The Woodlands

Da Vinci Ristorante Italiano, 6455 S Fry Road, Katy
Dario's American Bistro, 14315 Cypress Rosehill, Cypress
Di Bella's Italian, 1902 31st St, Galveston
D'Vine Wine Bar, 25202 Northwest Fwy #100, Cypress

Eddie V's, 12848 Queensbury
Edojin Sushi, 12344 Barker Cypress, #210, Katy
The Egg & I, 557 W. Bay Area Boulevard, Webster
Ephesus Mediterranean Grill, 510 S Mason Road, Katy

Five Guys Burgers & Fries, multiple locations
Fleming's, 788 W Sam Houston Parkway N, #120

Georgia's Farm to Market, 12171 Katy Freeway
Giacomo's Cibo e Vino, 3215 Westheimer
Grimaldi's, 20 Waterway Avenue, The Woodlands
Guadalajara del Centro, 1201 San Jacinto
Gumbo Bar, 2105 Post Office, Galveston

Ha's Kitchen, 13480 Veterans Memorial Drive
Haven, 2502 Algerian Way
Hearsay, 218 Travis
Hebert's Hot Tails Crawfish Boil, 5025 Louetta, Spring
Hibachi Grill & Buffet, 3703 Garth Road, Baytown
Hot Pot City, 8300 W Sam Houston Parkway
Hubcap Grill, 9591 South Main

Jeannine's Bistro, 106 Westheimer
Johnny D's Cafe, 301 W Parkwood, Friendswood
Juan and Lefty's Mexican Cantina, 17381 Highway 249
Juan Mon's, 1901 Taft

Kata Robata Sushi & Grill, 3600 Kirby
Khun Kay Thai Cafe, 1209 Montrose
Kiz Pan Asian Kitchen, 430 S Mason Rd, #113, Katy

La Magia Cafe & Pizza, 3699 Highway 6, Sugar Land
La Trattoria Tuscano, 4223 Research Forest, The Woodlands
Laurenzo's Grill, 4412 Washington Avenue
Little Big's, 2703 Montrose
Little Big's, 1600 Zoo Circle Drive in Hermann Park
Lola, 1102 Yale
Louisiana Creole Cafe, 3717 Dowling
Loving Hut, 2825 S. Kirkwood
Luigi's, 2328 Strand St, Galveston

Managua, 7818 Bellaire Boulevard
Mango's, 403 Westheimer
Mantra Fine Indian, 15295 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land
Mashawi Lounge, 13525 Westheimer
McCormick & Schmick's, 1201 Fannin
Merche, 21208 Northwest Freeway, Cypress
Meson 1910 Mexican Cuisine, 15202 Mason Road, Katy
Mia Bella, 1201 San Jacinto
Mucho Mexico, 1310 N Wayside Drive
My Pizzeria, 9222 Louetta

Natto, 1818 Hamilton
Neeta's Indian Cuisine, 6688 Southwest Freeway

Off the Hook Seafood, 16203 Westheimer #105
Olympia at Pier 21, Pier 21 at Harborside Drive, Galveston
The Original Louisana Kitchen, 10400 S Post Oak #E
Orioli's Prime Steaks & Seafood, 5322 FM 1960 West
Our House, 11919 Crosby Lynchburg Road, Crosby

Pampa Grill & Market, 10111 Hammerly
Pecker's Pizza, 3307 Spring-Stuebner Road
Peli Peli, 110 Vintage Park Boulevard, #P, Cypress
Pho Tan Loc, 11603 Highway 6 South, Sugar Land
Pico's Bakery & Taqueria, 5710 Bellaire Boulevard, #A
Poscol, 1609 Westheimer
Pradaria Steaks & Churrascaria, 10694 Westheimer
Pronto Cucinino, 791 Town and Country Boulevard, #146

Que Cafe & Coffee Bar, 408 20th St, Galveston

RA Sushi, 12860 Queensbury
Ray's Franks, 1302 Nance
RDG + Bar Annie, 1800 Post Oak Boulevard
Rice Thai Kitchen, 9401 Katy Freeway
The Rockwood Room, 5709 Woodway Drive
Ruby Tequila's, 2616 Louisiana
Ruggles, 903 Westheimer
Ruggles Green, 2311 W Alabama, #C

Sabine River Café, 10001 Westheimer, #2520
Saffron Kabob House, 5711 Hillcroft, #B2
Saigon One, 11830 Bellaire Boulevard, #C
Saint Dane's Bar & Grille, 502 Elgin
Sawyer Park Sports Bar, 2412 Washington Avenue
Seppia Grill Wine Bar, 2800 Sage Road
Sharky's, 1660 W Lake Houston Parkway, Suite 104, Kingwood
Shogi Hibachi Express, 15955 City Walk, Sugar Land
Shuck Daddy's, 1511 Shepherd
Smashburger, multiple locations
Spicy Pickle, 11611 Katy Freeway
Stella Sola, 1001 Studewood
Straits, 800 W Sam Houston Parkway N, Suite 940
Strata Restaurant & Bar, 122 Vintage Park Boulevard, Cypress
Sushi Choo Choo, 12149 FM 1960
Sushi Raku, 3201 Louisana
Susie's Cakes & Confections, 12280 Westheimer, Suite 6A
Suzybee's, 12914 FM 1960

Table Seven, 700 Durham
Taco House, 5001 Broadway
Taisho Japanese Grill & Bar, 16100 City Walk, Sugar Land
Tasti D-Lite, 1707 Post Oak Blvd
Tasti D-Lite, 3974 Westheimer
Tesar's, 1701 Lake Robbins Drive, The Woodlands
Three Brothers Bakery, 4036 S. Braeswood
Tinto's, 2015 West Gray, #J
Tremont Cafe at the Tremont House, 2300 Mechanic St, Galveston
Trios Downunder, 10535 Westheimer
Trophy Room, 22225 Katy Freeway, Katy

Udipi, 557 S Mason Road, Katy

Valentino in the Hotel Derek, 2525 West Loop South
Vin Bar in the Hotel Derek, 2525 West Loop South

W Grill, 4825 Washington Avenue
Wolfie's, 22522 Highway 249

Yao Restaurant, 1201 Fannin
Yard House, 700 Town & Country Boulevard
Yelapa Playa Mexicana, 2303 Richmond
Yukino Sushi, 5959 Richmond, Suite 160

Zaxby's, 8103 Louetta, Spring
Zoe's Kitchen, 5779 San Felipe

On the next page, closings.

 1  |  2  |  3  | Next Page >>
Comments (22) Write Comment
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Comments (22)

Rubiao says:

Clearly the most devastating closing this year was La Jaliscience on 13th and Yale. Disaster.

Posted On: Thursday, Jan. 7 2010 @ 4:40PM
Bru says:

Erm, Ray's Franks opened in '09, right? Why no mention?

Posted On: Thursday, Jan. 7 2010 @ 4:49PM
Jay says:

Thank you for the great sangria, Tio Pepe's. And also, thank you for giving me a large styrofoam cup so I could take the rest with me. I'll miss you, Tio Pepe.

Posted On: Thursday, Jan. 7 2010 @ 4:54PM
Katharine says:

Rubiao--

La Jaliscience has been added to the closed list. Thanks!


Marc--

Ray's has been added to the opened list. Thanks!

Posted On: Thursday, Jan. 7 2010 @ 4:59PM
Red on the Head says:

Holy shit!! How many weeks did you work on these lists!!!??? Good job!

Posted On: Thursday, Jan. 7 2010 @ 5:27PM
Tania Christie says:

What no mention of Angus Grill? Had two write ups in Chronicle and barely a mention here. what gives?

Posted On: Thursday, Jan. 7 2010 @ 5:35PM
Katharine says:

Tania--

Did you see the sheer size of the list above? Do you think it came from a machine? It did not. It came from a human. We are, by nature, imperfect. I could get into a philosophical debate here with you about humanity's innate imperfection, but let's go with the quick answer to your question, "What gives"?

What gives is that in the midst of compiling the massive list that you see above, I accidentally overlooked a restaurant. A million humble apologies. I shall be out back flagellating myself profusely before putting on a hairshirt to wear for the rest of the month.

How ashamed of myself I am... Oh, the agony. Thank you for allowing me to prostrate myself at your perfect, divine feet and offer this meager apology, Tania.

Posted On: Thursday, Jan. 7 2010 @ 6:07PM
Open 24 hours says:

Jay, Katharine needs some Sangria.

Posted On: Thursday, Jan. 7 2010 @ 6:27PM
Katharine says:

Yes. Yes, I do.

Posted On: Thursday, Jan. 7 2010 @ 6:28PM
Charles says:

Katherine, you're fiery...and after that cornbread, blackeyed peas and FROG LEGS you made...that's HOT.

Posted On: Thursday, Jan. 7 2010 @ 7:10PM
kick'em says:

Monumental Katharine, nice job, and pull no punches, for you are a fighter, better than any machine!

Posted On: Thursday, Jan. 7 2010 @ 8:40PM
sp91546 says:

Unfortunately, another casualty of the economy was Chili's, S. Post Oak @ W. Bellfort. Good, decent food, yet simple and inexpensive.
Now the only place along the same lines as Chili's is Outback on the Loop near Beechnut; for some reason, I don't see myself going there very often.



sp91546

Posted On: Thursday, Jan. 7 2010 @ 9:06PM
Anonymous says:

"Did you see the sheer size of the list above?.......in the midst of compiling the massive list that you see above, I...."

Ah yes, yet another round of Ms. Shilcutt congratulating herself, while managing to get in a snarky verbal thrashing to someone who dare question her.

Posted On: Friday, Jan. 8 2010 @ 5:59AM
Anonymous says:

@Anonymous: "Ah yes, yet another round of *Insert Name of ANY Houston Press Blogger Here* congratulating herself, while managing to get in a snarky verbal thrashing to someone who dare question her"

Posted On: Friday, Jan. 8 2010 @ 10:16AM
mollusk says:

@Anonymous x2 - ah, yes, cue the snarky criticisms of snark coming from trolls who can't even be bothered to dream up a screen name.

Let's all have some Sangria.

Posted On: Friday, Jan. 8 2010 @ 11:20AM
Anonymous says:

THE CAJUN FAMILY RESTAURANT IN CYPRESS TEXAS IS OPEN!!!!!!!!!!!!

NEWS ALERT! NOW SURE WHERE THIS INFORMATION WAS GIVEN BUT THIS RESTAURANT IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS (JANUARY 9, 2010)

Posted On: Saturday, Jan. 9 2010 @ 12:05PM
Pax says:

I would say that Cava Bistro closed... everything it was has been forced into an Ed Hardy-wearing douche set... Sad, especially for a great place. Hopefully someone will come to their senses on that one... mayber there are underlying reasons why the Striphouse knockoff, steakplace didn't make it.

Posted On: Saturday, Jan. 9 2010 @ 5:47PM
Beverly says:

Missed MOST...Jimmy Wilson's. Best seafood in Houston. Oh, how I wish it would reopen.

Posted On: Sunday, Jan. 10 2010 @ 6:06AM
ec says:

Pax
The Collin's steak place was mediocre which is why it closed.

Posted On: Sunday, Jan. 10 2010 @ 10:05AM
SDJim says:

Didn't check all the comments but I didn't see Salud! wine bar on Montrose at Branard in the closings list.

Posted On: Sunday, Jan. 10 2010 @ 4:46PM
Katharine says:

Please note, the Cajun Family Restaurant has been placed on the openings page and removed from the closings page - it was put there by mistake.

The restaurant stated in an email: "Well, we have been open since July 2009 and continue to be open. In fact we have a Fat Tuesday Celebration on February 16, 2010 with live music."

So there's at least one place to kick off your Mardi Gras celebrations with! I apologize for the error.

Posted On: Monday, Jan. 11 2010 @ 8:43AM
Nicolas Remmo says:

Katharine
All of us make mistakes sometimes, it's OK

Posted On: Thursday, Jan. 14 2010 @ 9:31AM

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