Openings & Closings: More Americana, Headed Your Way

A rendering of the new Del Frisco's Grille opening March 16 at West Ave.

Intercontinental Airport must have finally gotten the memo that its dining options were sorely limited considering Houston's rich culinary offerings, because it looks like something's finally being done about it.

Earlier this month, there was the news that chef Johnny Hernandez is opening The Fruteria - Botano in the airport this spring. And earlier this week, CultureMap reported that Bryan Caswell and Bill Floyd will be opening 3rd Bar Eating House in Terminal B.

"The 142-seat restaurant will be open every day from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., offering a breakfast reminiscent of the pair's El Real Tex-Mex Cafe, with sliders a la Little Bigs on the lunch menu alongside fresh seafood," wrote Whitney Radley, "and a 'more Reef-oriented' dinner -- and all at a price point that's refreshingly reasonable for airport fare."

Opening soon in the vacated West Ave space that housed Ava and Alto Pizzeria -- the two Schiller-Del Grande concepts that never found their footing in the swanky mixed-use development -- is another location of Del Frisco's Grille. The steakhouse will be open for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch as of March 16.

Two recent profiles shed light on a couple of upcoming projects from Houston restaurateurs. First was Sarah Rufca's article in the Houston Chronicle spotlighting the new downtown development along Main Street. Aside from the impending openings of Goro & Gun, "Bad News Bar" and Batanga, Rufca says to watch for Clutch City Squire at 410 Main, "in a building rumored to have been a brothel." Owner Steve Hannigan describes Clutch City Squire as "an industrial-modern take on the saloon."

Meanwhile at CultureMap, this profile of Shawn Bermudez -- owner of Boondocks, Royal Oak and food truck Koagie Hots -- features updates on his two most recent projects. First up is Stone's Throw at 224 Emerson, "an Americana bar" (because Americana is all the rage right now) next door to Boondocks. Next is Pistolero's, which is moving into the old Nabi space at 1517 Westheimer and which will feature updated Mexican cuisine from chef Brandon Shillings.

Last but not least, Eater Houston reports that New Orleans import Reginelli's Pizzeria will open next week at 12389 Kingside Lane near Memorial City Mall. Could nearby Pizaro's have some strong competition in the area? The Daily Meal thinks so: It recently ranked Reginelli's Pizzeria on its list of America's 35 Best Pizzas.

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