editor Posted January 2, 2023 Share Posted January 2, 2023 Use this thread to talk about what's happening with restaurants in downtown Houston in 2023. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
editor Posted January 14, 2023 Author Share Posted January 14, 2023 I went to Fifth Vessel Coffee at the foot of Main Street today. It replaced another coffee shop named Third Somethingorother. It was packed. No room to sit outside, and barely any room to stand inside. In a good way, especially for a downtown joint on a weekend. I'm not sure what changed. When I was here under the old flag, it was empty. Decor has changed, but I can't say how. Seems less cozy. More wannabe rustic IKEA. Beans are on offer. But $28 for what appears to be 8 ounces, no thanks. Lots of marathon tourists, and they like to complain about the service and exaggerate about how long they've waited. The wait was about the same as a Starbucks, which means half the time of a cafe in Italy. Some people just enjoy hearing themselves complain. Seems well staffed for such a small place. I saw four people, and there may be more. Chocolate chip cookies are excellent. A bit sugary, but still quite tasty. Menu is far more extensive than the old place, both beverages and food. A good move. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
editor Posted January 14, 2023 Author Share Posted January 14, 2023 One strike against it: No cash accepted. That will probably reduce the number of times I visit. I don't use cash too often, but I like the option. Sometimes I don't feel like being tracked, tabulated, sold, or otherwise watched. I just want coffee. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jermh Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 (edited) Does anyone know if the More Space: Main Street program is going to be extended again this year? The website says it "will last until March 31, 2023, or until the end of all COVID protocols". I hope it gets extended or they make it permanent. Edited March 2, 2023 by jermh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
editor Posted July 21, 2023 Author Share Posted July 21, 2023 New restaurant in the basement of 1000 Main, next to the Whataburger. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston19514 Posted July 21, 2023 Share Posted July 21, 2023 (edited) On 3/2/2023 at 3:59 PM, jermh said: Does anyone know if the More Space: Main Street program is going to be extended again this year? The website says it "will last until March 31, 2023, or until the end of all COVID protocols". I hope it gets extended or they make it permanent. They made it permanent. Planning and Development Department (houstontx.gov) Edited July 21, 2023 by Houston19514 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hbg.50 Posted August 6, 2023 Share Posted August 6, 2023 Wasn’t sure where to put this…somewhat of a fluff piece on Kris Larson of Central Houston and his desire to make downtown Houston an “Entertainment” district. https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2023/08/04/reimagine-houston-revitalizing-downtown.html “What it’s all about is positioning downtown for the entertainment-goer,” Larson said in an interview. “People are looking for a fun night out, and our job is to make those experiences last longer, to extend the entertainment experience.” … “Over the next 40 years, there has been an effort to diversify the land use downtown. That’s when you saw everything from the George R. Brown Convention Center, Minute Maid Ballpark, Discovery Green all come into play,” Larson said. “But, what Houston has been really good at is loading the gun with silver bullets. It’s really a collection of anchors that aren’t connected.” Rethinking the nodes Larson said his primary goal is to connect each of those “nodes” to create a holistic downtown experience, catering to those who seek entertainment. To do that, Central Houston has conducted a data-based study of all 350 blocks in downtown. Each of the 1,400 block “faces” was rated on a scale of 0 to 10, based on 21 criteria. Everything from tree coverage to building transparency and traffic speeds in the area was factored in, Larson said. Over the next two to three years, Central Houston wants to focus its resources on turning key blocks rated as fives into eights, nines or 10s.” … “Central Houston is also working to improve the pedestrian experience downtown, so people choose to walk on sidewalks rather than taking the tunnels or parking several times to get around the area. “McKinney Street is absolutely the best opportunity we have to get people to the nightlife area on Main Street,” Larson said. “It’s about three-quarters of a mile, or a 15-minute walk. Every minute of that journey counts.” To make that walk as enticing as possible, Larson said it is essential to make people feel as though they aren’t alone and that the trip is safe. That can involve installing more streetlights and better way-finding signs and landmarks, two things Central Houston is working to improve.” 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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