JCR Posted December 5, 2014 Share Posted December 5, 2014 Primo location. The building will get a light remodel. An improvement nevertheless.http://houston.culturemap.com/news/restaurants-bars/12-03-14-ambitious-heights-restaurant-rises-from-the-dead-once-shelved-project-brings-unique-3-day-cooking-method/ Glad to see Churches go, but wonder about a bit of a fried chicken glut in the Heights. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mab Posted December 8, 2014 Share Posted December 8, 2014 Gatlin BBQ moving to 3510 Ella Gatlin’s BBQ is growing up. The family-owned business that has been a local barbecue success story since it opened in June 2010 has long since outgrown its tiny storefront at 1221 W. 19th St. Now it is eying a larger location for its honest, homey barbecue that comes with a huge side order of hospitality.This week the Gatlin family intends to sign a lease to open a much larger barbecue restaurant at 3510 Ella Boulevard at 34th Street, said Greg Gatlin who owns the business with his parents, Mary and Henry Gatlin. The new store, at 4,200 square feet, is huge compared to the 700-square-foot store (not including the 1,000-square-foot pit room) that the family currently operates. The new restaurant is expected to open in Mayhttp://blog.chron.com/foodchronicles/2014/12/gatlins-bbq-to-open-larger-restaurant/#29014101=0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JCR Posted December 10, 2014 Share Posted December 10, 2014 Restaurant Death Watch Reprieve: The El reopened on Wednesday. Not enough time to do a total revamp, but maybe to think about addressing issues listed on Yelp, Reddit, Google, and the Houston Press. They did seek outside expertise but no deal was executed AFAIK but maybe they will implement the free advice given. Or maybe not. After months of negotiations and shopping around different partners, the deal was done two weeks ago. It's official. Liberty Kitchen will run things now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcook2002 Posted December 10, 2014 Share Posted December 10, 2014 After months of negotiations and shopping around different partners, the deal was done two weeks ago. It's official.Liberty Kitchen will run things now.LK is taking over The El? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s3mh Posted December 10, 2014 Share Posted December 10, 2014 LK is taking over The El? http://blog.chron.com/foodchronicles/2014/12/liberty-kitchen-owners-to-manage-and-operate-the-el-cantina-superior-in-the-heights/#29063101=0 That is correct. Very interesting that the rival restaurant groups are willing to work together on a restaurant. I have family in the restaurant biz. The standard operating procedure is to let your rival fail hard and thin the herd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s3mh Posted December 10, 2014 Share Posted December 10, 2014 Also, Los Cucos is finally opening this weekend. It is supposed to be a more upscale concept than the stuff they have in the burbs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollusk Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 After months of negotiations and shopping around different partners, the deal was done two weeks ago. It's official. Liberty Kitchen will run things now. http://blog.chron.com/foodchronicles/2014/12/liberty-kitchen-owners-to-manage-and-operate-the-el-cantina-superior-in-the-heights/#29063101=0 I've eaten plenty of Pink's Pizza, Lola's debris, etc. - enough to know that they can be pretty uneven. IMHO that's why the El was not living up to its potential. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamHouston Posted December 13, 2014 Share Posted December 13, 2014 Revival Market posted a TABC notice yesterday to start a private club. I, for one, am excited, but am not looking forward to all the neighborhood drama. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BullMan008 Posted December 15, 2014 Share Posted December 15, 2014 Also, Los Cucos is finally opening this weekend. It is supposed to be a more upscale concept than the stuff they have in the burbs. I tried them this weekend and was pleasantly surprised. I had been to other Los Cucos restaurants near the outer burb areas but this one was very different. The drinks were on point too! Great little place but its kind of pricey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s3mh Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 http://houston.eater.com/2014/12/15/7396455/meet-commonwealth-tqlas-replacement-on-washington-ave#4360032 Not in the Heights proper, but a good article from Houston Eater on a couple restaurants coming to Washington Ave. Also, Urban Eats is now open on Washington Ave (http://houston.eater.com/2014/12/3/7329125/urban-eats-on-washington-avenue-now-open). It is supposed to be breakfast, lunch and dinner with a bar too. Live music on weekends. Looks good. All of the above shows a definite trend along Washington Ave towards a transition away from a party spot to a restaurant corridor for grown ups. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverJK Posted December 16, 2014 Share Posted December 16, 2014 S3mh, The unfortunate part of that is the party scene has been a lot more prevelant on White Oak lately. I was just at Onion Creek Friday night and was discussing with one of the long time bartender's about how the scene had shifted dramatically in the past year. (He was saying they have had to call the police and other bars more frequently lately to warn them about the drunken idiots causing problems). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt16 Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 http://houston.eater.com/2014/12/15/7396455/meet-commonwealth-tqlas-replacement-on-washington-ave#4360032Not in the Heights proper, but a good article from Houston Eater on a couple restaurants coming to Washington Ave. Also, Urban Eats is now open on Washington Ave (http://houston.eater.com/2014/12/3/7329125/urban-eats-on-washington-avenue-now-open). It is supposed to be breakfast, lunch and dinner with a bar too. Live music on weekends. Looks good. All of the above shows a definite trend along Washington Ave towards a transition away from a party spot to a restaurant corridor for grown ups.I'm perfectly happy with that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s3mh Posted December 22, 2014 Share Posted December 22, 2014 http://houston.culturemap.com/news/restaurants-bars/12-16-14-big-sexy-promises-it-will-worth-the-wait-for-donut-emporium-looks-for-new-chicken-space/ Bird House will close and possibly move to GOOF, mitigating the Heights Fried Chicken Glut of 2014. Hugs and Donuts now looking at mid January to open. Link above has some good perspective on the plight of the little guy in the whole build out/permitting gambit in Houston. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mab Posted December 29, 2014 Share Posted December 29, 2014 Word on the street is Revival Market and Coltivare owners, Ryan Pera and Morgan Weber have more than their eyes set on a property for an upcoming concept. The duo are rumored to have purchased an abandoned building on the corner of Yale and West 11th Street. A former Citgo stationresides on the property located at 1039 Yale, littered in concert posters and street art. Pera and Weber's spokesperson couldn't confirm if plans for a third concept existed, but if sources are correct, the lot will transform into the pair's next restaurant, likely by 2016. The Revival Market duo have had a banner year with the opening of its rustic Italian restaurant Coltivare in January. Earning constant raves from local media, Best New Restaurant nomination fromBon Appétit and one of Garden & Gun's best dish of the South since, whatever Pera and Weber may have up their sleeves will be worth keeping an eye out for.http://houston.eater.com/2014/12/29/7433043/coltivare-owners-ryan-pera-and-morgan-weber-may-possibly-have-plans#4363648 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angostura Posted December 29, 2014 Share Posted December 29, 2014 Article is very thinly sourced, but fingers crossed. Between that site, the Prince's cleaners building across 11th, and whatever ends up happening with the post office, this intersection could look very different 2-3 years from now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s3mh Posted December 29, 2014 Share Posted December 29, 2014 Revival Market put in more seating this weekend. I will start my own speculation that they might start doing some dinner service once they get a booze permit. Maybe that will give them the chance to get a menu ready for a new concept at the gas station. Also, Foreign Correspondents has landed at the Braun soon to be remodeled strip center on N. Main just up the street from Spanish Flowers. The framing is up at W 18th for the other two restaurants. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angostura Posted December 30, 2014 Share Posted December 30, 2014 It seems like 80% of upcoming or recent openings are all from the same handful of operators: Revival, Treadsack (Down House, D&T, etc.), FEED (Liberty Kitchen, BRC) and Ken Bridge (Lola, Pink's, etc.). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BullMan008 Posted January 7, 2015 Share Posted January 7, 2015 These prices at these restaurants are just ridiculous. Ive lived here a long time and its comical what some folks think is good food. How are you going to open a Mexican restaurant that doesnt serve REAL Mexican food? Putting a car on a building and hanging up colorful lights doesnt do it. The food folks. Its the food.SMH. I'll just keep on making a trip to the other side of 45 or East Houston for some authentic Mexican Food. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angostura Posted January 7, 2015 Share Posted January 7, 2015 These prices at these restaurants are just ridiculous. Ive lived here a long time and its comical what some folks think is good food. How are you going to open a Mexican restaurant that doesnt serve REAL Mexican food? Putting a car on a building and hanging up colorful lights doesnt do it. The food folks. Its the food.SMH. I'll just keep on making a trip to the other side of 45 or East Houston for some authentic Mexican Food. Rents go up, so do the prices. That's why the most interesting restaurants are rarely found in the nicest neighborhoods. I'm sure we'll see more places close due to rent pressure or demolition this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BullMan008 Posted January 7, 2015 Share Posted January 7, 2015 Rents go up, so do the prices. That's why the most interesting restaurants are rarely found in the nicest neighborhoods. I'm sure we'll see more places close due to rent pressure or demolition this year. I agree with this, but if you are going to put out a product in a city that is saturated with plenty of delicious 'authetintic' foods, it better be at least close to it. Just my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaggieMay Posted January 9, 2015 Share Posted January 9, 2015 These prices at these restaurants are just ridiculous. Ive lived here a long time and its comical what some folks think is good food. How are you going to open a Mexican restaurant that doesnt serve REAL Mexican food? Putting a car on a building and hanging up colorful lights doesnt do it. The food folks. Its the food.SMH. I'll just keep on making a trip to the other side of 45 or East Houston for some authentic Mexican Food. Since the Liberty Oyster crew took over, The El Cantino Real Superior food has improved considerably. As has the service. Of course it's their spin on Mexican food--but it's tasty. (What is REAL Mexican food? Tex-Mex? Or from some region of Mexico? Which region? High-brow or low-brow? Seafood? The city boasts fine examples of all those subtypes & they all get my money in turn. El Superior is, at last, a good addition to the neighborhood.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BullMan008 Posted January 9, 2015 Share Posted January 9, 2015 Since the Liberty Oyster crew took over, The El Cantino Real Superior food has improved considerably. As has the service. Of course it's their spin on Mexican food--but it's tasty. (What is REAL Mexican food? Tex-Mex? Or from some region of Mexico? Which region? High-brow or low-brow? Seafood? The city boasts fine examples of all those subtypes & they all get my money in turn. El Superior is, at last, a good addition to the neighborhoo I'm sure it will be. The decor and colors are beautiful. Food is OK at best and yes they are getting your money. Im just saying if you explore a little, there are many hidden gems around the area.....for so much less $$. What is real Mexican food? Depends, if your in Mexico, its there. Youre in Texas, so there goes your answer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bedmondson Posted January 12, 2015 Share Posted January 12, 2015 There is a liquor licenses permit on the window at the former Citgo station. I would assume this confirms the rumor. Also 927 Studewood is being demolished today. Future Glass Wall expansion? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angostura Posted January 12, 2015 Share Posted January 12, 2015 There is a liquor licenses permit on the window at the former Citgo station. I would assume this confirms the rumor. Also 927 Studewood is being demolished today. Future Glass Wall expansion? While I'd love to be proven wrong, the most likely short-term outcome for 927 Studewood is parking for Glass Wall. They currently make use of the lot of the former Stella Sola, which, if anyone ever leases that space, they'd lose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bedmondson Posted January 12, 2015 Share Posted January 12, 2015 If I remember correctly the property sold for $1,000,000 which would make it a pretty expensive parking lot! But either way a parking lot is better that than what it was. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angostura Posted January 12, 2015 Share Posted January 12, 2015 If I remember correctly the property sold for $1,000,000 which would make it a pretty expensive parking lot! But either way a parking lot is better that than what it was. Was it $1M JUST for 927 Studewood? That address is listed as 6250 s.f. of land, which would make $1M about 2.5x market value. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bedmondson Posted January 12, 2015 Share Posted January 12, 2015 1201 Omar appears to be included and is 12,500 s.f. That comes to about 3 lots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s3mh Posted January 12, 2015 Share Posted January 12, 2015 The other retail shoe is dropping in Houston and in the Heights in particular. 700+ multifamily units are under construction in the Heights with another @500 planned. This lot will almost certainly be developed into some sort of retail development. One of the members of the LLC that holds the land has a commercial leasing background. That just could not be a coincidence. And I see no evidence that Glass Wall owns any interest or the folks that own their building have any interest in that property. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angostura Posted January 13, 2015 Share Posted January 13, 2015 1201 Omar appears to be included and is 12,500 s.f. That comes to about 3 lots. OK, that makes more sense at $1M. This stretch of Studewood is quietly becoming one of the highest concentrations of bars and restaurants in the Greater Heights. In the 3/4 mile stretch from From White Oak to 11½, there are 14 (I think: 4 each at White Oak and at 11th, plus Antidote, Sonoma, Premium Draught, Glass Wall, Red, Piatto, Los Cucos and Good Dog. That doesn't count Premium Draught or Someburger). That's comparable to the similar-size stretch from Yale to Studewood on White Oak (I counted 17). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angostura Posted January 13, 2015 Share Posted January 13, 2015 The other retail shoe is dropping in Houston and in the Heights in particular. 700+ multifamily units are under construction in the Heights with another @500 planned. This lot will almost certainly be developed into some sort of retail development. One of the members of the LLC that holds the land has a commercial leasing background. That just could not be a coincidence. And I see no evidence that Glass Wall owns any interest or the folks that own their building have any interest in that property. HCAD lists 933 Studewood as the mailing address. While that's the address of Glass Wall, Glass Wall is not the only business at that address. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
native_Houstonian Posted January 13, 2015 Share Posted January 13, 2015 How do you know the property at 927 Studewood sold for $1M? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bedmondson Posted January 13, 2015 Share Posted January 13, 2015 Just remember seeing the listing in the past. But now looking it up... Zillow shows just the 1201 Omar property listed for $1M and sold 2 months later. Add in the 927 Studewood property and it could have actually gone for ~$1.4M+. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s3mh Posted January 13, 2015 Share Posted January 13, 2015 HCAD lists 933 Studewood as the mailing address. While that's the address of Glass Wall, Glass Wall is not the only business at that address. I believe Glass Wall is just a tenant. It looks like the owners of 933 Studewood have some people in common with the owners of 927 Studewood. Glass Wall has its parking minimum met. The owners of 927 Studewood would have to charge Glass Wall a crushing rent premium just to break even if they paid $1 mil for the property. 927 Studewood is actually a bigger lot than 933 when you combine it with the Omar lots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
native_Houstonian Posted January 13, 2015 Share Posted January 13, 2015 This property sold for $80 sq ft? I thought land went for around $50 sq ft in The Heights? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s3mh Posted January 13, 2015 Share Posted January 13, 2015 This property sold for $80 sq ft? I thought land went for around $50 sq ft in The Heights? I would have to assume that both the Omar and Studewood lots sold for 1 mil. I believe that they were marketed as one property. Both properties total 18,750 sq ft. That would be @$53 per sq ft for the entire property. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
native_Houstonian Posted January 13, 2015 Share Posted January 13, 2015 Thank you for the clarification. That makes more sense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaggieMay Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 I'm sure it will be. The decor and colors are beautiful. Food is OK at best and yes they are getting your money. Im just saying if you explore a little, there are many hidden gems around the area.....for so much less $$. What is real Mexican food? Depends, if your in Mexico, its there. Youre in Texas, so there goes your answer. Since new management took over at El Superior, I've determined that it's worth my money. On occasion. I've lived in Houston for many years & do plenty of exploring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverJK Posted January 20, 2015 Share Posted January 20, 2015 When going to the park over the weekend, I noticed what appeared to be a few permit signs in the window of the former "Boulevard Coffee". Is there a new Coffee Shop moving in(being hopefull)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HAG Posted January 20, 2015 Share Posted January 20, 2015 Yes, apparently it will be a coffee shop / meeting space. http://www.eqheights.com/https://twitter.com/eqheightshttps://www.facebook.com/pages/EQ-Heights/1375494509425584 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s3mh Posted January 20, 2015 Share Posted January 20, 2015 Looks like Haif might be wagging the Swamplot tail today: http://swamplot.com/former-heights-blvd-home-of-waldos-and-boulevard-coffee-about-to-reach-equilibrium/2015-01-20/ Good catch HAG. I have been doing some window peeking and they have chopped the main part of the coffee shop in half so that there is now a big room on the south side of the building that can be closed off as meeting space. Choice of colors for the exterior is a bit horrific. Rusty, doo-doo, purplie-brown trim with a blueish gray on the rest of the exterior. I cannot even say "it looks like a _______" because no one would ever pick such dreary colors for a bungalow. The meeting room concept is interesting. I am always seeing posts on next door, HKG etc. asking for recommendations for a meeting space in the Heights. I just wonder whether they will have enough room if the place is popular to handle both walk up customers and a group that takes up meeting space. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HAG Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 Crockpotandgravel - yes, but their press release is new. FOR OFFICAL RELEASE | JANUARY 19, 2015 In Feburary 2015, the Equilibrium Social House will open its doors to the ever popular Heights neighborhood, providing not only great coffee, assorted high-end teas and baked goods and desserts, but also a community and social environment that many will hopefully call their home away from home. The coffee shop concept’s new home will be at 1030 Heights Blvd, formerly the residence of Waldo’s & Boulevard Coffee. Located directly on Heights Blvd, EQ Height’s mission is to become a daily necessity, offering “Quality Product, Customer Service, Interactive environment and an exceptional coffee experience” to its customers. Those that frequented the previous Heights coffee spot will be surprised by an assortment of inviting building updates and “social friendly” additions including a completely new counter & serving area, new furniture, some of which was hand-crafted by local Heights area artisans, and the option for private meeting rooms. And of course there’s the huge outdoor patio that is unique to any other coffee shop in the area. You and your dog(s) will be more than happy to spend countless mornings sipping on EQ’s amazing Americanos or Mocha Lattes. Gary Drabek, who is a former principle of Waldo Café and Boulevard Coffee and current owner of the property, is happy to see the building continue to be used as a local café and coffee spot where the neighborhood can continue to “hang out” and relax. Kevin Blasini, the owner of EQ Social House, brings over 25 years of experience in customer service and legal expertise, which he is using to develop the idea of EQ. His love for coffee, community, and learning is what drives him towards the goal of providing the neighborhood the right blend of refreshment, nourishment, community and inspiration. EQ Social House values the importance of independence versus chain ownership and this allows EQ to customize a unique blend of products, balancing local sourcing and preparation with benefits of global reach. Official opening date is yet to be announced. Updates on the Social House’s progress can be found on Facebook and Instagram, and the new website at www.eqheights.com will launch soon. Facebook: /eqheights Twitter: @eqheights Instragram: @eqheights Media and press, please contact Neue Creative at 832.868.6636 or info@neuecreative.com. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s3mh Posted February 11, 2015 Share Posted February 11, 2015 http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/blog/breaking-ground/2015/02/new-houston-breweries-on-tap-for-march.html?page=all Town in City shooting for a late March opening. Hugs and Donuts should finally be getting a certificate of occupancy soon. No opening date announced yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angostura Posted February 11, 2015 Share Posted February 11, 2015 Hugs and Donuts should finally be getting a certificate of occupancy soon. No opening date announced yet. I was beginning to think they'd taken the Kickstarter money and ran. Looks like there's still some finish work to be done on the space. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s3mh Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 TABC application sign in the window of the old Mozelle's location on Heights Blvd by the train tracks. I have heard that at long last an Indian restaurant will venture north of Buffalo Bayou and into this spot. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcook2002 Posted February 16, 2015 Share Posted February 16, 2015 (old stella sola) 1001 Studewood St looks like something is finally going on inside. windows are papered over and one of the doors is now plywood on the east facing side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kylejack Posted February 16, 2015 Share Posted February 16, 2015 What was the last news from there, wasn't it an ill-fated taco restaurant from Woodlands? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollusk Posted February 17, 2015 Share Posted February 17, 2015 "ill-fated taco restaurant from the Woodlands..." Isn't that a bit redundant? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kylejack Posted February 17, 2015 Share Posted February 17, 2015 Hehe. YES. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s3mh Posted February 17, 2015 Share Posted February 17, 2015 http://houston.eater.com/2015/2/17/8052285/heights-is-finally-getting-an-indian-restaurant#4671574 Further info on the Indian restaurant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcook2002 Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 noticed 1001 had "danger" tape around the studemont side patio yesterday, no idea whats actually going on there though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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