heights_yankee

so, never mind the *ahem* moderne style strip center. what about the house between that and onion crek? it looks wonderful! i just drove by without a camera but hopefully someone else can grab a shot of it. love the green with brick red trim. wonder what's going in there?

I have no idea. It was built before I was born. But, it has been part of the fabric of the neighborhood for nearly 60 years. Who are we to fault the builder of this building in the 1950s? More importantly, who are we to demand that it be covered with some faux craftsman facade, as opposed to restoring it to its original look? The neighborhood is not a snapshot in time. It is a living breathing neighborhood, that began in one decade 100 years ago, but was built out and lived in throughout the other 90. It is not a museum, nor is it a theme park. These are people's homes and businesses, and while a nod to the character of the neighborhood is appreciated, it is not required. What I really cannot understand is the vitriol toward restoration. Is that not what we wanted?

i agree it's not a museum and i am in favor of smart development in the heights. i have said many times on this forum that i wish more new construction would reflect the time period in which it was built, rather than pretend to be something its not. there are some great craftsman style homes that are thoroughly modern on 16th which reflect this, as well as the white "modern vic" previously discussed on this board. as far as it not being a theme park- that is my issue with this building. it looks like it belongs in a theme park. i half expect to see an old timey photo booth where you can dress up as a flapper or wear a zoot suit. i think it's ugly. it's not about the act of restoration in and of itself. it's specific to this building. to me this building has always looked like a cheapy that went up in the 80s with no architectural merit. the fact that i am wrong about that is great but that doesn't mean i have to love what it is about to become. and i think "vitriol" is a very strong word.

the beauty of the building on the corner of 11th and Yale is that something was discovered under years of poor renovation and redevelopment; that something was given a second life with that restoration. i just have my doubts that the original building we are discussing here looked at all like the current rendering. i could easily be wrong, but i have my doubts. i also have residual issue with the developer due to his prior plans. the fact that he thought a high rise on white oak was a good idea makes me skeptical about him, his current project and his level of caring or understanding about where he is building. that is an emotional reaction to the project. i know that. yeah yeah- he's probably a nice guy and lives here and loves it and thinks he's doing the right thing and whatever else. i just couldn't buy that if you tried to sell it to me.

It's not art deco. It is art moderne. And, there are numerous examples of deco and moderne architecture in the Heights, including the newly revealed building at 11th and Yale. But, whatever your taste in architecture, this does not appear to be so much an 'art deco' renovation as a cleaning up of the style that is already there. The renderings seem to show that all of the main lines of the building remain. Only a parapet has been added.

i stand corrected on the exact style, but still those are far and few between. do you think this building is original to the heights?

I know the rendering doesn't guarantee anything, but I'm hoping for a restaurant.

while the building definitely needs to be improved, the rendering is ridiculous. the heights is not art deco. if you're going to put so much time and money in to a project, why not take the time beforehand to make it something people will want to be a part of. or make it modern and representative of the time in which it's being rebuilt/renovated. but faux art deco? leaves me going

I vote for Dolce Vita by far. I've had too many disappointing pizzas at Star Pizza, and their service is always terrible.

Candelari's is very, very good. Star is over rated.

Another pizza lover who finds Star completely overrated. Ugh.

We get Candelari's often for delivery. Solid. Dolce Vita is good for fancy pizza, but when I just really want a big, old plain slice of cheese, I honestly love New York Pizzeria. It reminds me of the good, divey places back home. How they perfected that in a chain, I'll never know.

El Bolillo is a 3 minute walk for me, so I guess that is a subjective matter. I will suggest Don to open a chocolate shop in the Heights. I wish he would. I am so sad to hear that Saturday was his last night. He put alot into that place. If I find out the reason for his closing, I will post it. It may have just been so he could have a life again. It was pretty all consuming for him.

if dacapo's can survive with their hours, surely he can make something work!

El Bolillo fits the bakery bill, although I would like more yeast breads and croissants in the area. What about Crickets for ice cream? Raindrop Chocolate on Waugh just south of Allen Parkway has fabulous cakes and gelato, and to die for chocolate candy. You're right about the bagels. A good bagel shop would be nice.

crickets is not open after dinner. i have asked the owner to stay open later but i dont think it makes $ sense for him to accomodate me alone. i think that more people walk to dinner around the 11th and studewood intersection so more people would be inclined to stop for a cone after dinner. any place that opened would also have a lot of after school business from Hogg...

el boillo isn't very walkable either.

raindrop is not in the heights.

I heard Raindrop's last night was this past Saturday.

this makes me very, very sad. when i was pg with my 1st son, a group of us preggers would go there all the time. i still go occasionally but nothing is as simple once you add a 2 year old to the mix. he should try reopening in the heights. i hope he reads this!!

How about a decent bagel place as well? We could use one of those in the Greater Heights area.

we could use one of those in houston in general. hot bagel is solid, but it's still not as authentic as i like

generally, we need a good eat-in bakery. i mean, Dacapo's is good--- if you want what they have. they aren't open for breakfast and they close too early. i think we need a place where we can grab some pastries and coffee to go, have fruit breads and fresh bread all day long and cakes/pies whole or by the slice for after dinner. if they have ice cream, all the better...

although some of you might remember, i've been lobbying for an ice cream place in the heights for a while now.

What about all the restaurants on Washington Ave? From Dharma Cafe on Houston Ave. all the way to Candelari's on Washington Ave. at Westcott. There are many many in between of all sorts. Benjy's, Raia's, El Tiempo, El Rey (Cuban), Soma, and on and on. It's not any farther than the Westheimer restaurants are from Briargrove residents.

Vietnam on W. 20th is fabulous and has recently doubled in size. Collina's, Thai Spice, Shade on W. 20th as well.

There are great seafood restaurants on Airline between N. Main and 610, along with a Chicago Italian Sausage restaurant and a fine dining Italian restaurant as well.

Textile on W. 22nd near Shepherd is an adventure in fine dining. Bedford, Glass Wall.

Cajun? The Big Mamou just opened on Studewood.

I can't go on, I am starving and there is nowhere to eat around here. Guess I have to go to Montrose.

well, i don't think everyone considers the washington corridor the heights. some do, but i don't. for me a lot of times a "heights" restaurant is one i can walk to so it needs to be north of 10, west of 45, south of 610 and there is nothing in tombergrove so even though i can walk there, it doesn't count.

but if you go back and read the thread we did discuss the places you mention . i know it's a lot to sift through. for my own sake, i am going to try Vietnam again this week but if it's as mediocre as it was last time i went, i may just wash my hands of it for a while.

I will try Big mamouu tomorrow. I tried Vietnam and saying it was average is a compliment.

last time i went to vietnam it was average as well. i think the food paid the price for the renovation...

Its possible, but the kitchen is wide open for viewing and they had all the raw ingredients out and were actively cutting them up and making food when I went. I suspect since they didn't have a facility during last LITH to make these on sight, the chef could have pre-made them. Nothing I had suggested it was anything but fresh, and the fried shrimp was most certainly made on the spot. The only thing I saw that gave any indication of a prepared food was the sausage used in the jambalaya. That was store bought. (and wasn't andouille either). There's some great Texas sausages out there, I definitely think they could buy locally for that.

great news. i would try it at least once either way, but the posts here made me concerned when i remember that... either way, the thingies we had that night were good. just not homemade...

i look forward to getting over there soon. if the food is good, the only real disappointment will be that they didn;t add a bigger patio.

I don't know if this has been mentioned before but perhaps one of the biggest reasons for the lack of restaurant diversity in the heights may be due to the lack of diversity in the residents?

so, west u is diverse?

I also was there Friday and ordered a Shrimp Poboy and Fries and was not very impressed. The poboy literally had only 5 shrimp on it and I am not sure they weren't pre-breaded or something strange. I really had high expectations for this place hopefully it was just an opening night thing and the quality will improve.

this is a concern on mine. when they were "open" for White Linen Night last year, we got these empanada type things (not sure what they really are) but i was talking to the guy- who i believe was the owner- working the window and when he put in my order, the girl took out a huge frozen bag of the things (like a foodservice bag, not a ziplock or storage bag) and threw them in the fryer. i know places use prepared foods and that can be ok depending on the price and atmosphere. so, i have to wonder how much of their food they make and how much they buy?

i'm not saying art deco will be an eye sore or shouldn't be considered, but i think its silly when people say things like art deco (or new orleans revival) "fit" the neighborhood when it's not an art deco neighborhood. while this isn't the worst, an arts and crafts style would be really cool and fit the neighborhood at the same time. i love all the modern takes on a&c we are seeing in the hood, like the 2 great houses on 16th around nicholson...

Good Afternoon,

Seeking any feedback, comments, or experiences dining at

The Big Mamou, The Bedford, or Textile restaurant?

Thank you

Bedford: been twice. bad service both times but superior food that will make me give them another try. last time a friend went, she said her waiter was new and it looked like that had turned some staff over so that is promising. hate the atmosphere. it looks like a hotel restaurant. but in the end- decent service and excellent food trump bad layout.

Textile: have tried twice to get reservations. they think they are pretty special- you have to leave a message for the catering manager and she may or may not ever get back to you. i'll try again, but will wait til crowd slows and they think that they might have to be attentive.

all i can say about BM is it better be good. we've been waiting long enough!!

Walked by this property yesterday and the office tower sign has been replaced with one that has a one story development in an Art Deco Style.

interesting. too bad the neighborhood isn't art deco... but still... i have to wonder if it was neighborhood resistance or a bad economy that forced the change?

Oh no, they're all $30K millionaires. I think most of them live "by the Galleria," which I believe in many cases is "home at Mommy's."

I drive past this a few times a week on my way home/errands/etc., and I hate the butterfly effect on the top level. It SCREAMS "come hang out at me douche bags!" However, it will likely be packed all the time. If it's the same owners as Drake, all their regulars will surely head here during the day, then Drake at night. And the line for Drake is packed at all times, which completely turns me off. I'm not a fan of the see and be seen bars.

my quote was referrign to those stupid townhomes on the rr tracks, not the people who go to reign. lol.

you know, i just drove by the other day and don't like the view from the front as much as i do from the side. still, i agree a real sports bar (if that's what it turns out to be) will be welcome, esp vs another 'club.'

I didn't get a picture of the side facing Washington (Swamplot has one here, though), but the butterflied second story is coming along...

thanks for the pic, sev. that is looking much better than i anticipated. not that the building was an architectural model or anything, but considering the amount of waste tearing down generates, i am happy to see the shell of the pig stand spared from the dumpster.

If those are the same townhouses I'm thinking of, roughly right across the boulevard from Hickory Hollow, they are closer to two feet than ten feet from the tracks. And around $300K if I recall correctly. Insanity!

yeah, and their sign boasts affordable inner loop living, as if living on the tracks and next to the recycling center is the only way you can afford to live in the loop for under $2350k. only the douchebags from Reign would buy that.

The same folks that are buying the ones on Heights 10-feet from the railroad track?

took the words right out of my mouth. i don't know what's worse, honestly: being right next to the railroad tracks or having your bedroom window face the center street recycling deal...

Reign is further west on Washington. So far it looks like the perfect realization of douche-ness in building form. I'll put some pictures up when I get a chance. You'll see...

you are not kidding. all the parking, fwiw, appears to be in front. that's where the douchiest cars will go so that simpletons like me, driving by with my kids to Cadelari's, will feel inferior, even inadequate, and question if having a family and living a quiet life was the right decision. and don't get my started on the building itself. who thought some kind of tuscan revival mini-castle was a good idea? regardless of its purpose, the building is just b.a.d.

Mrs. P. and I went had dinner at Vietnam last night. Food is still great, not to mention relatively cheap. They're still adjusting to the new set up a bit, and they got slammed with a big crowd. However, the service was very attentive and courteous.

thanks for the update. VR is one of our fave places in the hood and glad to see a remodel hasn't gone to their heads

also, i noticed Bedford is open for lunch and brunch. anyone been at these times?

Not open yet. Not till Mardi Gras (end of Feb)

after all the watching and waiting, it damn well better be good!

As far as I know, the Heights voted to remain dry when it was annexed by Houston, but has always had the option to become wet by a vote from those in the area. I don

Spanish FLowers has a great patio, if nothing else.

Also, I havent' been but friends are RAVING about the Chicago Pizza joint (is it on main or airline?), friends from CHICAGO nonetheless! there is also some Chicago meat place? i don't know what that is all about but they say it's good. can anyone enlighten me?

also, bedford has a sign "now serving lunch." probably more of a business lunch than a casual lunch, but might be worth checking out...

i wish the original author would come back and comment. i wonder if he has come to find how much variety there really is in our little corner of the world?