s3mh Posted October 9, 2013 Share Posted October 9, 2013 Chron reports that the chicken and doughnut place by the Liberty Kitchen folks will start building out/renovating this month and hope to be open next month. http://www.chron.com/entertainment/restaurants-bars/article/BRC-Gastropub-broadening-its-brand-4879335.php?cmpid=entertainmenthcat Heights General Store is shooting for early November opening. Fat Cat Creamery is mostly finished, but has some utility issues to resolve. Things are plugging away at the Coltivare location, but no promises made on opening. I could see them getting opened before the holidays. Good Dog is shooting for an October opening. Add in Torchy's and we will have a half dozen new places to eat open potentially by the end of the year. Not too shabby. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s3mh Posted November 12, 2013 Share Posted November 12, 2013 Cricket's 2.0 closed. A sign on the door hints at some sort of reboot/renovation, but I have not heard anything further. The original Crickets was quirky and in no way a James Beard contender. But, it had a very unique vegetarian menu with some good dishes that you could not get anywhere else. It was also just a fun place inside, especially with kids. The successor seemed to just suck all the life out of it, leaving the interior devoid of anything on the walls and putting out a very uninspired new menu. While there are more than enough people in the Heights to support more restaurants on 19th, the location in and of itself does not guarantee success. Hopefully, the reboot will be much better or someone else will come along and do something good with that space. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverJK Posted November 12, 2013 Share Posted November 12, 2013 Isn't Scott Tycer involved with that one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkultra25 Posted November 13, 2013 Share Posted November 13, 2013 Isn't Scott Tycer involved with that one? Yes, he bought it from the previous owner. I was pretty surprised to see it closed with the vaguely-worded sign on the door, and hope that it does return soon. I do agree that some of the physical changes that were made prior to the closure were disappointing. I realize that when a business changes hands, new ownership often has a different vision that involves significant changes, but IMO the changes that were implemented (particularly doing away with the seats in the front window) were not for the better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kylejack Posted November 13, 2013 Share Posted November 13, 2013 What else has Tycer got his fingers in? Kraftsmen, and what else? I will be glad when the Tycer scourge is gone from Houston. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s3mh Posted November 13, 2013 Share Posted November 13, 2013 I do not know all the details, but someone else was involved in this on both an ownership and management level. There was some sort of affiliation/partnership with Kraftsmen and Tycer. But I do not think he bought it outright or was running it. Still, with the two Braun developments and the overall strength in the Heights, there is a lot of potential on 19th street. Just serve some good food with good service and the line will be out the door. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverJK Posted November 13, 2013 Share Posted November 13, 2013 I'd like to see more of a Cafe in the cricket location, and the Kraftsmen more of a bakery/coffee shop. Curious to see what actually happens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s3mh Posted November 15, 2013 Share Posted November 15, 2013 Good Dog is open now in the old Big Mamou location. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverJK Posted November 15, 2013 Share Posted November 15, 2013 I saw that yesterday... no "open" sign but people definitely eating in there. I'm guessing they are in more of a "soft" opening stage right now? I'll get check it out soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JCR Posted November 16, 2013 Share Posted November 16, 2013 Went to good dog a little while ago. I had a good meal. The chili from the chillin' dog is now served on its own in a cup or bowl. The menu can be found on their twitter feed. https://twitter.com/GoodDogHouston There is more than just hot dogs. This is a very good addition to the 'hood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s3mh Posted November 18, 2013 Share Posted November 18, 2013 The record for truck to brick and mortar conversions is pretty strong in Houston. Eatsie Boys is great and Fusion Taco is also pretty phenomenal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kylejack Posted November 18, 2013 Share Posted November 18, 2013 The record for truck to brick and mortar conversions is pretty strong in Houston. Eatsie Boys is great and Fusion Taco is also pretty phenomenal. Green Seed Vegan, The Modular became Goro & Gun, and Bernie's Burger Bus is on the way to brick & mortar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s3mh Posted December 12, 2013 Share Posted December 12, 2013 Fat Cat opens this weekend. Boulevard Coffee, Mam's House of Ice Snowballs and Coltivare look to be very close to finishing their respective buildouts. Htown StEats food truck is looking for space in the Heights for a doughnut shop. That could be very interesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angostura Posted December 13, 2013 Share Posted December 13, 2013 Looking forward to getting some ice cream this weekend. With density and disposable income come restaurants and retail, and a lot of residential units are being added near 19th St. Hopefully over time, we'll see continuous walkable retail from Yale to Durham (Downhouse to Foreign Correspondents). This would require development/redevelopment of the following (for starters): - Sand Dollar at 19th and Yale- Former water storage and pumping station at Nicholson- Chase drive-up bank at Nicholson (this is a staggeringly poor use of valuable land)- Car Wash at Lawrence Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s3mh Posted December 18, 2013 Share Posted December 18, 2013 www.stellabakes.com/news-stella-bakes/ New coffee shop/desert bar coming on Studewood just south of 11th. TABC notice up in the window. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverJK Posted December 19, 2013 Share Posted December 19, 2013 Awesome! Looking forward to this one. I went to Key West a few years back and there was a desert bar called "better than sex" which was a very adult "sexy atmosphere" desert bar. Although it sounds kitchy and cliche', there was a wait out the door every night I was there and it was a pretty cool place. (my wife and I went after a night out and managed to get a table somehow). Since then I've thought that would be something that would go over really well in The Heights where people love eating and drinking but not the "party atmosphere as much". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swtsig Posted December 19, 2013 Share Posted December 19, 2013 has anyone tried heights general store yet? would love to hear other reviews. we went last thursday and really enjoyed the food but were shocked to see it practically empty 8pm on thursday night, particualrly with torchy's packed next door. now granted, although the food was good the decor was a little bland and the prices seemed fairly expensive. it was just odd that with all the press it had received recently that it would be so dead on a prime night out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s3mh Posted December 23, 2013 Share Posted December 23, 2013 I am hearing that Coltivare should be open in January. Build out is just about finished. Garden is gorgeous. Interior has an open kitchen and low-key rustic feel. Can't wait for this one to open. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s3mh Posted December 26, 2013 Share Posted December 26, 2013 Mam's House of Ice Snowballs has opened their brick and mortar location on Cavalcade just east of Studewood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverJK Posted January 3, 2014 Share Posted January 3, 2014 That is awefully close to the snowcone place on Main that cost 1/4 as much... I went to FatCat and it was awesome. Great addition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angostura Posted January 3, 2014 Share Posted January 3, 2014 Fat Cat is very cleverly partnering with food trucks. Hopefully they'll be able to keep it up once the rest of the tenants in that center open. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s3mh Posted January 3, 2014 Share Posted January 3, 2014 I went to Fat Cat the other weekend. A line of 8-10 people materialized as soon as I drove up with one lone hipster kid working the counter. I almost drove off when two other helpers quickly emerged from in back and got everyone's orders taken in no time. Took us longer to decide what to get than for the line to go down. The ice cream is great and there are a ton of different things to get (novelties, shakes, sundaes, soft serve etc.). They have rotating seasonal flavors and permanent standard flavors. I am going to gain 10 lbs this summer. Great addition to the neighborhood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverJK Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 yep, i'm going to make myself ride my bicycle or longboard there... to justify the calories. I had the bourbon vanilla bean shake and it was bonkers amazing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s3mh Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 http://blog.chron.com/foodchronicles/2014/01/first-look-at-coltivare-new-heights-restaurant-from-revival-market-owners/?cmpid=hpbn#19667101=9 Opening next week. Food looks amazing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s3mh Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 Boulevard Coffee is awaiting final city inspections and looks to open this month. Town in City Brewing finally has approved plans and will break ground after a year of back and forth with the City. The El on Studewood and White Oak is finally building out with a big cinderblock addition to the old gas station. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverJK Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 Whatever happened to that Tiki Bar that was supposed to open up on Main? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s3mh Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 Whatever happened to that Tiki Bar that was supposed to open up on Main? Lei Low is coming soon too. I think they are almost built out, but haven't followed too closely and do not know what their time frame is for opening. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bedmondson Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 Church's on Heights Blvd. is leaving in October. http://www.commgate.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=property.detailFL&ln=233479 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s3mh Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 Church's on Heights Blvd. is leaving in October. http://www.commgate.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=property.detailFL&ln=233479 With 700+ units of high end apartments going in a block away, this location could make some serious money as a restaurant in the right hands. I think it would get grandfathered on parking if they keep the building. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s3mh Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 https://www.facebook.com/Heightscandybar?ref=stream Frosted Betty is gone, but the Heights Candy Bar is open. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angostura Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 With 700+ units of high end apartments going in a block away, this location could make some serious money as a restaurant in the right hands. I think it would get grandfathered on parking if they keep the building. It's 1200 s.f., and currently has 13 parking spaces, so they already meet the parking minimums. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
west20th Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 Looks like Hunky Dory is getting started. http://swamplot.com/foreign-correspondents-hunky-dory-smashing-car-lots-on-shepherd-now/2014-02-12/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angostura Posted February 14, 2014 Share Posted February 14, 2014 Looks like Hunky Dory is getting started. http://swamplot.com/foreign-correspondents-hunky-dory-smashing-car-lots-on-shepherd-now/2014-02-12/ Surprisingly large amount of parking. Shepherd will gradually transition from being lined with parking lots full of used cars to being lined with parking lots intermittently full of used cars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angostura Posted February 14, 2014 Share Posted February 14, 2014 Also, the Shepherd/Durham corridor is dry from 16th to 26th, so I'm guessing this will be another private club license. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
west20th Posted February 14, 2014 Share Posted February 14, 2014 Also, the Shepherd/Durham corridor is dry from 16th to 26th, so I'm guessing this will be another private club license.I think the Hunky Dory ownership is the same as the Down House. They already know the private club license routine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s3mh Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 Whatever happened to that Tiki Bar that was supposed to open up on Main?http://houston.eater.com/archives/2014/02/26/take-a-look-inside-lei-low-opening-this-week.php Opening this Friday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s3mh Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 And Boulevard Coffee is opening on Monday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BullMan008 Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 http://houston.eater.com/archives/2014/02/26/take-a-look-inside-lei-low-opening-this-week.php Opening this Friday. This is close by. Im going to try them out. Looks nice inside too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BullMan008 Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 I drove down Main St yesterday and saw conctruction at the old Frida place. Anyone know whats happening there? Another restaurant? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AGalvan Posted March 9, 2014 Share Posted March 9, 2014 I drove down Main St yesterday and saw conctruction at the old Frida place. Anyone know whats happening there? Another restaurant?There's a sign up now that says Skinny Rita's Grille. So maybe a bar/mexican restaurant? They added lots of patio space and a second floor patio Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moose Posted March 9, 2014 Share Posted March 9, 2014 A quick google search on Skinny Rita's Grille found that it is a new concept from the group behind Ruggles Green. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s3mh Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 There is a TABC notice up at the SW corner of Harvard and White Oak (same building as T-shirt shop). Workers were painting the exterior on Saturday. The notice was for "Il Circolo di Italia, Inc.". I have heard of Circolo di Italia in other parts. It is basically an Italian version of something like L'Alliance Francaise. People can take language and culture classes. But, I have also heard from some people who talked with the owner. They say it is going to be a gelato shop that will also serve some alcohol infused gelato. They say it will be open next month if all goes according to plans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s3mh Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 There is a TABC notice up at the SW corner of Harvard and White Oak (same building as T-shirt shop). Workers were painting the exterior on Saturday. The notice was for "Il Circolo di Italia, Inc.". I have heard of Circolo di Italia in other parts. It is basically an Italian version of something like L'Alliance Francaise. People can take language and culture classes. But, I have also heard from some people who talked with the owner. They say it is going to be a gelato shop that will also serve some alcohol infused gelato. They say it will be open next month if all goes according to plans. There are now signs up in the window for "Gelazzi", promising a preview during the White Oak Blvd street closure on April 6. www.gelazzi.com Looks like some sort of franchise concept as there appears to be a location in Colorado with the same graphic design/concept etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flatline Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 New sign up for the Boil House on the south side of 11th near Oxford. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angostura Posted March 28, 2014 Share Posted March 28, 2014 There are now signs up in the window for "Gelazzi", promising a preview during the White Oak Blvd street closure on April 6. www.gelazzi.com Looks like some sort of franchise concept as there appears to be a location in Colorado with the same graphic design/concept etc. Apparently it's been in the works for a while. Here's a story from three years ago about the imminent expansion into Houston as the first franchisee-owned store. Apparently they plan to get into overnight gelato delivery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s3mh Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 New sign up for the Boil House on the south side of 11th near Oxford.http://swamplot.com/crawfish-restaurant-boil-house-gets-ready-to-open-on-11th-st-in-the-heights/2014-03-31/ Not very helpful post from Swamplot. Drive by pic + Tex SOS. I am curious as to how they are going to get enough parking spaces over there. I want to say that I heard a while back about a Cajun catering or takeout place opening in the Heights. That would get them to a doable level of parking spaces versus a sit down restaurant. But that is just a guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texasota Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 (edited) Let's math this. According to HCAD that building is 1800 square feet. At ten parking spaces per 100 square feet, that's 18 spaces. 10% discount for bike parking gets them to 16 spaces. At roughly 160 square feet per parking space, that's 2,560 square feet for spaces alone. Maybe an additional 640 square feet for drive. BUT! I'm pretty sure that that requirement only applies to dining area space. So let's say maybe half the building is dining area, that takes you down to 8 spaces, so 1,280 square feet plus 320 square feet for drive. Edited March 31, 2014 by Texasota Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s3mh Posted April 1, 2014 Share Posted April 1, 2014 Let's math this. According to HCAD that building is 1800 square feet. At ten parking spaces per 100 square feet, that's 18 spaces. 10% discount for bike parking gets them to 16 spaces. At roughly 160 square feet per parking space, that's 2,560 square feet for spaces alone. Maybe an additional 640 square feet for drive. BUT! I'm pretty sure that that requirement only applies to dining area space. So let's say maybe half the building is dining area, that takes you down to 8 spaces, so 1,280 square feet plus 320 square feet for drive. The permit on the door says that they are renovating for a take out restaurant. That means they only need 4 spaces per 100. That would be doable. Unless they are buying up and demoing the property next door, there is no way they can get 16 spaces. Take out Cajun is actually a great idea for the neighborhood. Poboys, etouffe, gumbo, etc. all transport well and are quick to prepare. There really aren't very many good options for quick and easy takeout in the Heights. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverJK Posted April 1, 2014 Share Posted April 1, 2014 Can they sell as "to go" but have picnic tables setup that people just happen to utilize anyway? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s3mh Posted April 1, 2014 Share Posted April 1, 2014 Can they sell as "to go" but have picnic tables setup that people just happen to utilize anyway? I only saw take out on the building permit. I do not know whether they are committed to take out when it comes to parking. But given the lack of space for parking, I would bet that they would have to go with take out restaurant to meet parking minimums. The ordinance actually defines "Take-out restaurant" as a restaurant that "does not provide seating for on-premises consumption of food or beverages . . . ." In practice, think places like Pink's and Pizza L'Vino. There are a few chairs inside. You could eat there if you wanted to, but probably wouldn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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