texasdago Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 Opened since the last post on this thread...Yard HouseStraitsBistro AlexCafe' Rose'Under construction...Cyclone Anaya'sRuggles GreenChipotleBrio Tuscan GrilleCityCenter hosted a NYE party on the plaza and it was full of people - band was playing outside, all restaurants/bars were full and there was a midnight fireworks show. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricco67 Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 CityCenter hosted a NYE party on the plaza and it was full of people - band was playing outside, all restaurants/bars were full and there was a midnight fireworks show.So THAT is where the fireworks coming from! I was wondering about that."Ruggles green?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crunchtastic Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 So THAT is where the fireworks coming from! I was wondering about that."Ruggles green?"There's a Ruggles Green on Alabama b/w Greenbriar and Kirby. It's a Ruggles, but 'green.' Not sure what that means. Green building? Green food? Does it mean the original restaurant is Ruggles Gay? In any case, good for them on expanding. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UrbaNerd Posted January 15, 2010 Share Posted January 15, 2010 (edited) Once again, more photos from my most recent outing. I'd prefer a bit more authenticity, as well are more colours than three shades of beige, but this is still quite a nice infill project. I just hope that improvements to the connectivity are improved, and some of the surrounding properties are redeveloped into higher density mixed use as well. Looks like a glorified strip mall of some sort! Hotel Sorella The Green The base of the Sorella is quite nice! Edited January 15, 2010 by UrbaNerd 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N Judah Posted January 15, 2010 Share Posted January 15, 2010 I'm too lazy to scroll up and read. Did we already have the discussion about why things like this don't seem to get built downtown? What did everyone decide was the reason? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston RE Posted January 15, 2010 Share Posted January 15, 2010 I would like to thank all of you because with out you people here I wouldn't know the things I know about Houston.. I moved here from Dallas and you make it easy on me I just had to say Thanks.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marc Posted January 15, 2010 Share Posted January 15, 2010 Just amazing what GOOD planning can accomplish. It makes me all the madder when i see cheap crap thrown up around town. Bravo City Centre. Can't wait to visit this summer. m. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swtsig Posted January 15, 2010 Share Posted January 15, 2010 (edited) went to studio movie grill last night and let me say that my girlfriend and i came away completely unimpressed... give me alamo draft house ANYDAY. i mean using rolling office chairs was just flat out annoying, and the finishes inside the theater felt so cheap, lit felt like we were sitting inside a class b office building. poor selection of drinks, completely predictable food (and STALE popcorn ), and overpriced. didn't help that it was completely DEAD last night either, although we did go to the late showing at 10:20. dear god, please put an alamo draft house in the old w. alabama bookstore location. /rant Edited January 15, 2010 by swtsig 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smurf Posted January 25, 2010 Share Posted January 25, 2010 A person from West Side of Houston was trying to convince me that the City Centre is the natural center of Houston. I just said, you are joking, right?I said it's basically re-invented mall with residences. they are popping up every where in the country in suburban neighborhoods and cities. Having said that, it is still better than having old style huge parking lot malls. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgriff Posted January 25, 2010 Share Posted January 25, 2010 I agree that the food at SMG is awful. How they can make ice cream taste like it's been sitting in the freezer for 2 years in a place that's 6 months old is beyond me. My wife and I attempted to stop by Yard House Friday night. There was a 45 minute wait. Yard House is OK but not worth 45 minutes.Every time we've been to Citycentre on a weekend the place is packed. The first two floors of the parking garage we parked in were full. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fringe Posted January 25, 2010 Share Posted January 25, 2010 I agree about SMG. Wasn't impressed with the food and the chairs squeak throughout the whole movie. Would it kill them to buy a can of WD40?Went to City Centre late last Saturday night for a nightcap. Could not believe the crowds. Â Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdog08 Posted January 26, 2010 Share Posted January 26, 2010 I stayed in the Hotel Sorella for a night with my girlfriend on a Thursday night. It really was a nice a hotel and a great area to spend an evening. We walked over to Escalantes for dinner and spent the rest of the evening at Yardhouse, RA, and the MonaLisa (bar in the hotel). It was very packed for a Thursday night and everywhere we went was a good time. I would highly recommend it for a couple for a one night "vacation" or with some friends. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texasdago Posted January 26, 2010 Share Posted January 26, 2010 A person from West Side of Houston was trying to convince me that the City Centre is the natural center of Houston. I just said, you are joking, right?I said it's basically re-invented mall with residences. they are popping up every where in the country in suburban neighborhoods and cities. Having said that, it is still better than having old style huge parking lot malls.Actually, if you look at where the majority of growth has taken place in Houston (Sugarland, Katy, NW Houston), CityCentre is pretty much the population center of Houston. It has been shifting west for quite some time and that's why it was named City Centre.We went to Yard House last week for lunch - no problem getting in. BUT... we called the previous Friday night and it was a 1 1/2 hour wait. We've also had a chance to check out Cafe' Rose... very nice place for an espresso and a light bite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpringShadows Posted January 28, 2010 Share Posted January 28, 2010 Actually, if you look at where the majority of growth has taken place in Houston (Sugarland, Katy, NW Houston), CityCentre is pretty much the population center of Houston. It has been shifting west for quite some time and that's why it was named City Centre.We went to Yard House last week for lunch - no problem getting in. BUT... we called the previous Friday night and it was a 1 1/2 hour wait. We've also had a chance to check out Cafe' Rose... very nice place for an espresso and a light bite.City Center is a reference to this area being the Demographic Center of Houston, it's also conveniently located next to the richest zip code in the state. It's all been discussed in this thread and is posted on the City Center website. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgriff Posted April 9, 2010 Share Posted April 9, 2010 Brio Tuscan Grill is open now. We tried it tonight. It seemed like a slightly more upscale Maggiano's. The nicest thing about it are the huge patios and windows. I had filet mignon; it was decent and the prices are reasonable. I've been going to CityCentre once a week now and it's usually so crowded that you may have a 45 minute wait to get into Yard House, etc... Last Thursday they had a mini car show. There were a few old Ferraris, Porsches, a McLaren race car, etc... Here are some shots a buddy of mine took. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texasdago Posted April 29, 2010 Share Posted April 29, 2010 Brio Tuscan Grill is open now. We tried it tonight. It seemed like a slightly more upscale Maggiano's. The nicest thing about it are the huge patios and windows. I had filet mignon; it was decent and the prices are reasonable. I've been going to CityCentre once a week now and it's usually so crowded that you may have a 45 minute wait to get into Yard House, etc...Last Thursday they had a mini car show. There were a few old Ferraris, Porsches, a McLaren race car, etc... Here are some shots a buddy of mine took.Brio had a wait on Monday night... the place was buzzing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricco67 Posted April 29, 2010 Share Posted April 29, 2010 Brio was rather packed, I was in the area with some friends and what strikes me is how difficult it can be to navigate if you don't know your way around. Overall, I like it, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpringShadows Posted May 13, 2010 Share Posted May 13, 2010 (edited) Just passing along some positive feedback, as City Center was well hyped by the overseas contingent during OTC. They said the buzz amongst most Oil and Gas folk from abroad was that City Center is THE place to go. When I brought the folks I was entertaining from the Netherlands, some of whom lived her for over a year, they said "I never expected something so beautiful and so European in Houston". They also used the words I always rely on "Generational Beauty" saying this district needs to expand to both sides of the freeway and that they thought City Center would still look great 100 years from now. Also, they mentioned that if the hotels are smart, they'll advertise in next years OTC promotional publications and ride off of this year’s hype. Now if we could get City Center to make a "Dubai Style" train that at least looped from City Center, Memorial City Mall, Bunker Hill back through Community College Campus and ending in City Center. You could run a shopping tour hitting the hospitals, hotels flats, and apartments along the way. Edited May 13, 2010 by SpringShadows 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted May 13, 2010 Share Posted May 13, 2010 awesome feedback, thanks for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texasdago Posted May 17, 2010 Share Posted May 17, 2010 Just passing along some positive feedback, as City Center was well hyped by the overseas contingent during OTC. They said the buzz amongst most Oil and Gas folk from abroad was that City Center is THE place to go. When I brought the folks I was entertaining from the Netherlands, some of whom lived her for over a year, they said "I never expected something so beautiful and so European in Houston". Funny... we had dinner on the sidewalk at Cafe' Rose' on Saturday night... one table was full of German speakers and another was a group of Scandinavians... couldn't pinpoint the exact language. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Native Montrosian Posted May 17, 2010 Share Posted May 17, 2010 Funny... we had dinner on the sidewalk at Cafe' Rose' on Saturday night... one table was full of German speakers and another was a group of Scandinavians... couldn't pinpoint the exact language. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Native Montrosian Posted May 17, 2010 Share Posted May 17, 2010 If anyone goes to Yard House, ask for Fred. Took some clients there and thought "Oh great, a college kid" when we got him. Mea Culpa. Very attentive, delivered everything perfectly and warned me about my order to fit my vegetarian tastes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricco67 Posted May 17, 2010 Share Posted May 17, 2010 When I brought the folks I was entertaining from the Netherlands, some of whom lived her for over a year, they said "I never expected something so beautiful and so European in Houston". They also used the words I always rely on "Generational Beauty" saying this district needs to expand to both sides of the freeway and that they thought City Center would still look great 100 years from now.I don't understand why people are comforted by seeing things that remind them of home. To me its akin to those annoying american tourists that go to rome and head for the nearest McDonalds.While it would be difficult to make any urban development NOT resemble something european, I would like to know if it would be possible to make distinctly american. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtticaFlinch Posted May 17, 2010 Share Posted May 17, 2010 While it would be difficult to make any urban development NOT resemble something european, I would like to know if it would be possible to make distinctly american.You can make it fat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porTENT Posted May 18, 2010 Share Posted May 18, 2010 I believe the architectural term on HAIF is "bloated." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricco67 Posted May 18, 2010 Share Posted May 18, 2010 You can make it fat.Make it big boned....or girder if you will. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpringShadows Posted May 19, 2010 Share Posted May 19, 2010 (edited) I don't understand why people are comforted by seeing things that remind them of home. To me its akin to those annoying american tourists that go to rome and head for the nearest McDonalds.While it would be difficult to make any urban development NOT resemble something european, I would like to know if it would be possible to make distinctly american.You make a good point, but context of his comment to me was not in mimicking but more of an "American Slant" on European. I may not have communicated that as well as I could have in the original post. But they specifically mentioned how they had never seen anything like it.It was a very, very positive experience for everyone.Also, and not to say anyone else here doesn't, but I travel to Europe many times a year and I have never seen "modern European" if you will done in the size and consistency of City Center. I've seen buildings like the ones seen in City Center, but not in such a mass. Also, you would not normally see decks like the ones in City Center in Europe (usually smaller Bistro style), however they are very common in the Med. and South America. It's like Architectural fusion.Lastly, there is a lot of Southern Stones (like Austin Stone) used in City Center and NY style Bricks, so European Architecture would be very different. Edited May 19, 2010 by SpringShadows Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LTAWACS Posted May 19, 2010 Share Posted May 19, 2010 A person from West Side of Houston was trying to convince me that the City Centre is the natural center of Houston. I just said, you are joking, right?I said it's basically re-invented mall with residences. they are popping up every where in the country in suburban neighborhoods and cities. Having said that, it is still better than having old style huge parking lot malls.I agree with you. Why on earth would I journey that far without saying "Eff it, might as well go to San Antonio!!". What's in city centRe? Amegy bank? Anthroplogie? I think I'll pass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livincinco Posted May 19, 2010 Share Posted May 19, 2010 I agree with you. Why on earth would I journey that far without saying "Eff it, might as well go to San Antonio!!". What's in city centRe? Amegy bank? Anthroplogie? I think I'll pass.Yeah - it's 7 miles outside the loop, almost San Antonio. I have not heard anyone say anything negative about it after visiting. Hopefully West Ave will turn out this nice. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricco67 Posted May 19, 2010 Share Posted May 19, 2010 You make a good point, but context of his comment to me was not in mimicking but more of an "American Slant" on European. I may not have communicated that as well as I could have in the original post. But they specifically mentioned how they had never seen anything like it.It was a very, very positive experience for everyone.Also, and not to say anyone else here doesn't, but I travel to Europe many times a year and I have never seen "modern European" if you will done in the size and consistency of City Center. I've seen buildings like the ones seen in City Center, but not in such a mass. Also, you would not normally see decks like the ones in City Center in Europe (usually smaller Bistro style), however they are very common in the Med. and South America. It's like Architectural fusion.Lastly, there is a lot of Southern Stones (like Austin Stone) used in City Center and NY style Bricks, so European Architecture would be very different.See, that makes more sense to me. I know there are certain things that seem to be unique to us down here. Met many from Northern Europe that absolutely adore the "novelty" of being able to eat outside and watching women wearing "skimpy" clothing and take advantage to eat at the various places that offer an outdoor deck. Just like I'm not fond of people trying to copy a sense of style (be it music, fashion, whatever) from someone else, I find it frustrating when it is done architecturally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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