gene

I think it was Surfer's Paradise, they likely shared the same tropical theming as Rain Forest Caf

yahooooo glad to see it finally go haha!

any word on how or what day they will take down the building itself? i am thinking of camping out across the street to watch and celebrate!

One thing I really like about Houston right now... most of our projects have been borne of necessity. The projects of lesser need have quickly fallen away, and the few things that remain are only going to benefit the area.

haha! never have i read a more true statement!

so many things are being cancelled that werent needed in the first place.

an example: Did we really need the Titan? The Galleria area is already overcrowded with unfilled high rises...

oy

Calm down... I was just a little excited...

gotcha!

good lord, you crack me up with your wacky responses and negative signature...i truly hope you find a way out of houston, a city i love...it might make it better...or at least more positive ha!

read the post above your post:

"also heard that the ritz is officially on hold and that there are rumblings that the whole foods is also on hold, although no real confirmations regarding the WF."

so no real confirmations and who knows what is happening...

just stay tuned...

HP was definitely hopping last night and lots of folks waiting on the concert early in the evening were milling about the few shops that are open...

the HOB was packed and food good but once again, the service was absolutely horrible.

yikes

anyway...fun night and all my friends thought the place shows lots of promise

we shall see....

tomorrow night it will be packed! blue october sold out their show long ago!

if anyone is going look for me

<--------------------------

great pictures!

thanks for posting!

I agree... I just wish some retail place that caters to guys would open... Gap, Banana Republic, H&M, American Eagle... something! Oh well.

actually F21 has some great and inexpensive guys clothes on the 2nd level.

they have a few killer jackets in fact, so go check it out.

actually that is not the only way you can gain access...

The Foundation Room is also for special events and each time Blue October has played a House Of Blues in the U.S. they have hosted a radio station sponsored event/autograph signing/acoustic show and/or post party in The Foundation Room and let me tell you, these places blow me away...

straight from a movie set with its dark, rich, eclectic decor...all seem to be done by the same designer across the country with tons of dark wood, velvet curtains and buddah statues etc...

The Foundation Room was one of the reasons i was so excited to get a House Of Blues here.

cannot wait to check out the Houston one in a couple of weeks!

I think many may wonder as I do what will DRIVE business to this location.....so far after it has opened many including several who have been there still wonder about that.....and often when a large new development like this has trouble filling all the spaces and or getting the stores opened in a timely fashion it rightly makes people question what will DRIVE the business to this location

Honestly, i think House Of Blues and Lucky Strike will drive business there because HOB has already done so for me and lots of others i know.

And HOB is in this for the long run...why? because, forget the restaurant for now...it is a quality music venue...great lights, sound, stage and ambiance...love the place and it makes me excited to go see shows again...so much so that i am more open to see other new bands in such a great environment. Those reasons alone will keep people coming to the HP and rightfully so. (as for the restaurant and bar, i liked it and while some may have their justified complaints, i will continue to go there, as will my friends.)

Cant wait to have Lucky Strike open as well since Dave and Busters bowling at the Marqe was my only other close option!

and i cant forget the opening of Cork in January 09! Cork is an awesome wine bar, live music venue so that will also bring a new and great addition to HP!

im excited

ps...not sure if the pic posted of the VIP dining room at HOB is from the Foundation Room but from all the Foundation Rooms i have been lucky enough to visit, it looks like it is and cannot wait to visit this houston one as well dec 3rd!

thanks for the pic!

Everyone must somehow, someway get to experience a Foundation Room event, these spaces are incredible.

I am a loyal Chuy's customer, have eaten there for 15 years, and eat there a couple times a month. I wouldn't follow them further out of the loop than Buffalo Speedway. Weird, huh?

also going there since they opened (1992 i think?) and go there about 2 times a WEEK or more...

not sure how far i would or wouldnt follow them, i just hope they stay within a 2 mile radius

definitely love chuys...it will be interesting to see what happens...i had no idea they were thinking of relocating.

love me some fitzgeralds for sure and wish Justin could go back and revisit some Last Wish songs but it isnt in the cards... oh well....

still loving the Pavillions...

I too hope to see more and more added and waiting for Cork to open since i really enjoy their other locations...

and in related news Blue October tickets for the HOB dec 3rd show are now on presale at www.blueoctober.com

see ya there!

on a new note,

it looks like ambassador way is nearly redone to accommodate more traffic and access to the new post oak lane extension (which is being worked on...) and the first phase building looks to be nearly complete on the outside and there are tons of workers on the inside...

looks like they are about ready to tear down the post oak facing temporary wall to expose the front of building and finished front parking lot or drive up...

exciting stuff.

well went last night with some friends to HOB to see the awesomeness that is marc broussard and sara bareilles and i am loving the venue more and more. (ps...the jumotrons are INSIDE up in the balcony area for those seated there)...honestly there is not a bad place to stand or sit in the house...the only thing missing is someplace to sit down if needed...as i saw a few intoxicated people sitting in the back on the floor

The stage, sound, lights top notch. nice backstage areas, easy acess to the bars and just liked the whole ambience of the venue in general.

i will say, although the restaurant has good food that to me, is reasonable.... the service is pretty horrific even on this second visit...hopefully that changes with time but many tables around me were complaining as well about their own waiters, wait, etc, and i saw a manager going around comping items...including all our table's drinks.

wait...maybe that isnt a bad thing afterall....

ha

in general, love the HOB and thankful it is here...i cannot wait to go there for future gatherings and shows.

You are 100% correct. I am in a band and yes, it's done to ensure that your fans actually show up to the show... Otherwise, they would skip the HOB show and just check out the band in a cheaper venue. Maybe the HOB in NOLA let's BB bend the rules, but any other band should follow their rules... and rightfully so. The only time I think the exclusivity agreement should be waived is when the HOB sells out and they cannot get another show setup while that artist is in town. That way, the artist still brings in $ to HOB, along with allowing more people to see them.

wait, you are a musician, live in midtown, married and were there last week...

BRIAN W?! haha...sending you a text now!

*small world*

I am sure it will have hours similar to all malls...and House Of Blues is open 7 days a week 11am to 11pm although it is open later if they have a late running show they said.

Went last night to House Of Blues...loved the restaurant, food was better than average and service was friendly...the venue was amazing for Ghostland Observatory...although you have to take the elevator or escalators up to the 3rd level outside just to get to the box office which was kinda kooky...especially for those that drove up to the front wanting to "run up" to get their tickets....only finding out they have to find parking to do so since the front is reserved for valet etc... pretty inconvenient, but again, excited to have a House Of Blues in Houston. (my best friends band has a yet to be announced show there in dec so i am stoked about that! see avatar for hint haha!)

also i saw the space for Cork, just so you know this is an awesome wine bar...they have one is clearlake that offers great wine, food (even food from local businesses can be ordered and delivered to your table by onsite staff for that purpose)...and great live music through the week...the space is huge compared to their clearlake location and in the 1st level.

as far as something that would be nice to have in this plaza, they need a good internet cafe...i work in travel and people visiting always ask if there is such a thing here near the galleria, so i can only imagine it is needed in downtown as well.

Oh, now come on, y'all. Enough with this Pappasito's foolishness. Y'all know there are much better Tex-Mex places in town (that also cost a lot less money and aren't as full of loud parties and screaming kids) than Pappasito's. You're killing me!

If you're that desperate for Tex-Mex in the Galleria area, there's a Ninfa's right there on Post Oak (marginally better food than Pappasito's) and a Los Cucos on Westheimer (marginally better as well). Paparrucho's on Sage does a good happy hour. La Tapatia on Richmond ain't bad either. Then again, looking at all the options I've just listed, I guess the Galleria area isn't exactly the place to get great Mexican food. Maybe a Pappasito's would fit right in with the mediocrity.

oh my gosh please tell me you are kidding?!

los cucos and ninfas better than pappasitos?! not in my book!!! yikes!

if you had said Lupe's it might not have been as blasphemous!

yep

linens and things is closing!

the banners are up and at 10 to 30 percent off, they are still more expensive than target or walmart

anyway...please let it be a pappasitos coming to the plaza or the area.

working and living just a block away from a pappasitos would be a dream come true haha!

just wanted to say that i went to the opening with the mayor and "skate celebrities" etc in attendance and it was a great time and the park is way cool!

everyone should go check it out...even if you dont skate it is fun to watch those that do...

Hi yes, my company moved out 2 months ago, a little ahead of schedule since we found a great new location...and from what i have been told, the bank ONLY will move across the street (with no drive through of course) to the plaza for 3 years until the new bank building will be built NEXT DOOR in the empty lot... with the current bank lot being built on as discussed above.

awesome

thanks for the updated pics!

i drive by there everyday and its great to see an overview instead of a side or through a fence view!