Eiknujrac Posted July 15, 2011 Share Posted July 15, 2011 The subtitle of this thread reads "Opening December 2010"That's funny. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arrodiii Posted July 22, 2011 Share Posted July 22, 2011 It looks like Phoenicia actually might open after all:http://houston.eater.com/archives/2011/07/21/first-look-inside-the-downtown-phoenicia.php#phoenicia-first-look-1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arrodiii Posted September 28, 2011 Share Posted September 28, 2011 Looks like the sign will be going up soon (hopefully) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kylejack Posted September 29, 2011 Share Posted September 29, 2011 The sign is up now. Expected opening in mid-October, but I wouldn't bet the farm on that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniepwils Posted September 29, 2011 Share Posted September 29, 2011 I bet they open in December or January... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arrodiii Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 (edited) I spoke with the GM last Wednesday while at the Brewery Tap and she said they are on schedule for a Mid-October opening. I know she felt my reluctance when she said it but she seemed to be very optimistic on that time frame by saying she knows how far off schedule they are. Guess we'll find out soon. Edited October 4, 2011 by arrodiii Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eiknujrac Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 (edited) It looks as though they are putting up the final sign in the middle.There are anchors for the metal awning to extend the whole building, i think.Will post a picture when I get home, but it seems to be turning out just like the rendering.http://www.phoeniciafoods.com/locations/downtown-market/ Edited October 4, 2011 by Eiknujrac Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eiknujrac Posted October 18, 2011 Share Posted October 18, 2011 (edited) Their website now lists November 2011 for opening. Walked by yesterday, and noticed that some of the shelves are already stocked, and they were testing the lighting on the big sign as well.Will November really be it?EDIT: Annnnnnddd Here it is:http://houston.culturemap.com/newsdetail/10-17-11-phoenicia-offers-exclusive-sneak-peek-of-new-downtown-location/ Edited October 18, 2011 by Eiknujrac Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eiknujrac Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 Sign is lit: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Utinga Posted October 27, 2011 Share Posted October 27, 2011 Wow... this is all I could have hoped for downtown... and more!! I am a loyal Phoenicia customer. Only problem is I live so far away that I only get out there about twice a month. Now, I'll be able to take my bike there!!!!!! I agree that eventually we want downtown to have a "mainstream" grocer, but this is and Byrd's market are a great start. The crowds that come for Phoenicia are the type of crowds that downtown wants to be "discovered" by. They are young and/or independent with fewer suburban ties (generally) and more disposable income. This IMO is the perfect fit. And we can still meet the "mainstream needs" via the rail line... Randall's and two Fiestas are there. I will guiltily admit that I'd rather sit on the train a few mins more and hike across the road to the Fiesta by Reliant than the one at Wheeler station... selection-wise, there's just no comparison between the two.I have a rather sad Fiesta in my hood, good enough for staples, so I take the train to Wheeler Fiesta sometimes. I've not been to the one farther South. Is the selection that much better? The international selection is what I am most interested in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eiknujrac Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 The sign on the door says November 7th. Looking inside, you can see deli meats and cheeses, and most of the shelves stocked. So hopefully they will actually be opening on that date.Good luck to the first "big" grocery store in downtown? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
infinite_jim Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 So ready!Went to the deli off Westheimer last weekend (full disclosure: I worked on that project back when I was in school); the build out was smaller than I'd spec'd but the sharmas were superb and now I'll finally be able to do some pantry/bakery shopping w/o making the trip down to the SW side. Now if only burger guys would open a midtown or downtown location.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nole23 Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 (edited) It is now open! Edited November 7, 2011 by Nole23 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniepwils Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 halleeeelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, halleeeeeluuuuuuuujah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samagon Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 Went there and they were packed, I'm guessing it won't always be, good selection of all sorts of random stuff. I won't be shopping there for normal, but to get stuff heb doesn't stock, yes. I like it.Sent from my Nexus One using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arrodiii Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 I bought a wildberry cake and a chocolate covered cheesecake from their bakery this past weekend - pretty tasty stuff! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
infinite_jim Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 Went last saturday and was severely disappointed in the store layout. Especially in regards to dealing with the lunch crowd. Hopefully they will fix some of the programmatic kinks but the design was extremely piece-meal and heavy handed in between.Food was good, but l'll probably wait some time before returning to the deli counter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryDierker Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 I got a Shawarma plate to go only to realize later that they only gave me one little piece of pita The layout is messed up like the previous poster said. I did like the beer selection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flatline Posted December 1, 2011 Share Posted December 1, 2011 First visit . . . The lamb shawarma is fantastic -- what an exponential upgrade over the tunnel gyro joints downtown. The taste and texture of the lamb was awesome. And the pita was incredibly light and tasty. The setup reminded me of the Smith Street Spec's (tables, checkout, merch, deli), but there seemed to be no easy way in, and there was significant congestion to get the orders in and filled. The checkout aisles seemed to work fine (like they do at Spec's). Hopefully they will work out the kinks and streamline the order process back at the deli. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
totheskies Posted December 29, 2011 Share Posted December 29, 2011 I've been now 3 or 4 times, and I just totally love it. Agreed, the first floor gets a bit bunched up in the pita/ deli section, but aside from that it's an amazing addition to Downtown. Store layout feels a lot more like a European grocer than anything in the states. The second floor may be small, but that's where the really good stuff is... mega-sized cans of hummus for $2!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jax Posted December 29, 2011 Share Posted December 29, 2011 I went yesterday. I took the light rail and walked to the store, so I don't know how parking etc is but I was impressed with it. I was fairly busy at 8 pm on a Wednesday. There was a singer in the bar area and we ate some of our groceries while drinking beer in there The prices are surprisingly reasonsonable considering the uniqueness of the food and the location and they have an awesome selection of international foods, especially mediterranean/middle estern. The pomegranate tabulli from the deli counter was tasty. I'll definitey be going back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
totheskies Posted January 3, 2012 Share Posted January 3, 2012 WHOA they have music there??? How cool is that?!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
infinite_jim Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 They've finally worked out the deli kinks. Prices are still hit and miss, but a great supplementary grocer like a trader joes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texasota Posted February 24, 2012 Share Posted February 24, 2012 Eh, they're quite a bit better than TJ's, with the exception of wine/beer. Have you seen their spice wall upstairs? It is amazing. All of their baked goods are infinitely better than anything you can buy at Trader Joe's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musicman Posted February 25, 2012 Share Posted February 25, 2012 i enjoyed hearing people complain that the carts didn't have space to seat children in. must have been a heights resident. had a pita wrap where the meat was not cut from the rotisserie but rather taken from the steam tray and put in the microwave to warm up. no thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slick Vik Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 Big sides of potatoes and hummus for $2.50, $1 baklava, 59 cents for two giant pita breads. Awesome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
infinite_jim Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 Eh, they're quite a bit better than TJ's, with the exception of wine/beer. Have you seen their spice wall upstairs? It is amazing. All of their baked goods are infinitely better than anything you can buy at Trader Joe's. I've never actually been to a TJ's. But before they opened, we would go to Droubi's on HIllcroft to get a decent shawarma. Never again will I eat at Droubi Bro's for lunch, wanna talk about bland? For pantry goods, we'd go all the way to the SW side to Stafford/Sugar Land to Wel-Pham/99 Ranch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.