The Heights Restaurant And Bar Scene - More Coming

[Purpledevil]

http://blog.chron.com/foodchronicles/2014/07/martinez-sedillo-to-challenge-houston-fried-chicken-icons-at-the-chicken-ranch/#24935101=0

No location has been disclosed, but there is rumor that the old Blockbuster is going to get converted into a restaurant. Not sure whether the fried chicken place or something else will go in there.

Ironically enough, I know the owner of this building, and the various other properties he owns along Calvacade and Robbie. Not too long before Blockbuster finally pulled up their stakes, I asked him what he thought he was going to do with it next. He laughed and said, "Hell (purpledevil), I might just reopen the store!"

That'd be a superb building for a small, start up restaurant. I haven't stopped by and seen them in a few months, and I think I should.

You know, curiousity and all, lol. If it turns out to be legitimate and he's ok with me spilling the beans, you all will be the first to know.

[s3mh]

Maryam's Café is open in the old Crickets location on 19th st.  It is supposed to be a bit like a Persian café, but the menu is mostly domestic American dishes.  I have not been, but am intrigued.  Friends went for breakfast and liked it a lot.  Owner is usually on site and very sweet and friendly. 

 

Meanwhile, the El Cantina Superior is getting slaughtered on Yelp and other forums.  It is still very early, but people have told some pretty terrible tales of food and service in the early days of the restaurant. 

 

Skinny Rita's will open very soon.  Menu is up on their website:  www.srgrille.com  Cactus tortillas and other healthy items without calling it "fresh Mex" (thank goodness).  I am very interested in trying them out once they are up and running.  Looks like they have enough of an original concept to avoid getting lost in the forest of Tex Mex restaurants (new and old) in the neighborhood.

[TX_COLIN]

Excited to try Maryam's and Skinny Rita's.

 

Unfortunately I can confirm that the service and food are severely sub-par at The El.  The atmosphere is wonderful, and my wife and I had been looking forward to trying the restaurant during this "soft opening" process.  However, bland/overcooked food, poor drinks, and slow service are hard to overlook.  On Nextdoor, experiences have ranged from similar complaints to ours to food poisoning for an entire family.

 

Hopefully things will change, but that is going to have to include some significant changes in staff and in the kitchen.

[JCR]

Meanwhile, the El Cantina Superior is getting slaughtered on Yelp and other forums.  It is still very early, but people have told some pretty terrible tales of food and service in the early days of the restaurant. 

 

 

 

The Heights restaurateur I know told me his clients have said the same thing.  Doing Mexican food in this town is really competitive.  There are too many choices in Houston and even close to the Heights for good established Mexican food joints.

 

On a side note.  It will be interesting to see what establishments move into the strip center north of Spanish Flowers once Braun redoes it.  They have a good track record of turning commercial space around.

 

[s3mh]

http://blog.chron.com/foodchronicles/2014/07/heights-restaurant-suddenly-closes/#25241101=0

 

City Oven is gone.  Never went there.  Didn't know anyone who did.  

 

Did go to Maryam's Cafe.  The food is ok.  The juice is good.  They do a funny presentation with a little umbrella and colorful sugar sprinkles around the rim of the glass for the juice.  The folks running the place are very nice.  There is definitely a bit of a cultural disconnect between how they are running the cafe and in what most Houstonians would be comfortable with in a restaurant.  The menu is just a couple of pages of a print out with only one copy by the cash register with only a little bit of info on the chalk boards above the front counter.  I saw a couple of people walking by peak in and turn away.  The decor and set up is a bit odd. 

 

The sandwiches are pretty western, with a little touch of Persian influence, but not much.  The tea service seems to be the one thing that is pretty authentic, but I did not have any.  They also have some interesting homemade ice cream flavors.

 

I really feel like they would be a big hit if they did more Persian dishes.  The Heights is saturated with Tex Mex, comfort food and Italian.  Something unique would really be a hit if well done.  But I also feel like Jerry Seinfeld with Babu and The Dream Cafe.  Not really my place to say what they should do to succeed.  Although, I hope they do.  The title of this thread is still relevant, although for an entirely different reason.  The neighborhood is filling up with great restaurants, but could use some more diverse offerings.

 

 

[s3mh]

Zelko Bistro closed.  Did not see that coming.  Always liked it.  Jamie Zelko came to the Heights when few other restaurants were interested in the neighborhood.  The restaurant business can be very cruel possibly moving.  Landlord has put the property up for lease, but they are still open in the mean time. 

Edited July 22, 2014 by s3mh

[SilverJK]

If true, that is a total bummer.  I'm sure Zelko Bistro will stay in the heights though.  I hope they find a new location soon (or work things out to maintain their lease for longer time). 

[s3mh]

http://blog.chron.com/foodchronicles/2014/07/zelko-bistro-losing-its-home-in-the-heights/#25275101=0

 

Good summary of the current leasing drama.  To the landlord, I would advise that a bird in the hand is better than . . .

[mkultra25]

http://blog.chron.com/foodchronicles/2014/07/zelko-bistro-losing-its-home-in-the-heights/#25275101=0

 

Good summary of the current leasing drama.  To the landlord, I would advise that a bird in the hand is better than . . .

 

 

 

According to Realtor Mike Huff of Berkshire Hathaway, representing the property owner, the building is for lease. He said his clients have been “working very hard over the last six months to extend the lease” to the restaurant but that “there’s been a total breakdown in communications in the last 60 days.”

 

Translation: "We've proposed to extend the lease at double the current rent, and for reasons we can't quite fathom, this hasn't been well-received by the tenant." 

[txcat84]

Maryam's will be gone within three years if not sooner. Disorganized and expensive. Which is a bummer because the owners were extremely nice and energetic and the space is great. Well, I say the space is great but once Maryam's bites it, it will have become one of those weird black holes.

 

Now don't get me wrong, my opinion from above is contingent on things staying the same. They could always get it together. Best of luck!

[s3mh]

http://houston.eater.com/archives/2014/07/31/the-heights-general-store-adds-a-new-pizzeria.php

 

Heights General Store is scaling back the little grocery section on the first floor and turning the space into a pizzeria.  

[txcat84]

Great sign of critical thinking and willingness to adjust. (Although the opposite end of the spectrum-constant fluctuation, es no bueno for a restaurant/service).

Not convinced another pizza place will go gangbusters that close to Collinas, but surely it will do better than overpriced cereal and dried Japanese seaweed snacks.

[bedmondson]

http://blogs.houstonpress.com/eating/2014/08/chef_randy_evans_talks_havens_closing_and_whats_next_for_him.php

 

"Evans is taking the closure in stride and already making plans to open a new venture sometime in the future, possibly in the Garden Oaks/Heights area."

 

Someone needs to use that Stella Sola space. Just saying.

[mkultra25]

Mmm...Mytiburger, it's Myti good! Love the one on W.43rd, not so much the one on Kempwood.

Definitely the end of an era if Someburger does indeed meet its demise. This is the one I grew up with, but ate a few at the Patton/Airline location over the years that it was still open. I guess after all these years, it's safe to "let the cat out of the bag" for those not in the know, so to speak...

A "brown bag special" was something completely different at Someburger on E. 11th back when I was in high school, than what it ended up becoming at your local Sonic drive-in a few years later.

As long as Big Burger V stays afloat, all is well in my little world.

 

Last weekend my wife and I needed to head up to FM1960 for an errand and wound up taking the Hardy Toll Road. On the way back into town, we stopped in at Big Burger V for lunch. I'd never been there before, but I can see them becoming a regular stop whenever I happen to be in the vicinity. Chalk up another data point in favor of the long-held Houston truism that you'll always have a good meal in a restaurant run by Greeks. 

 

My latest project is eating at all of the good burger joints in town that are somewhat off the beaten path, and Big Burger V was a fine addition to the list, so a tip of the hat to Purpledevil for mentioning them here. Next up: Cream Burger on Elgin, Champ Burger on Sampson, and Burger Park on MLK. 

[Purpledevil]

Hey, I'm glad I can send a customer their way, mkultra! I've been going there for many years, even now that I live some distance away from it. The kids run it now, and they haven't missed a beat. Even Ike ripping off the roof couldn't stop the "V". Glad you and Mrs. Mkultra enjoyed it.

It's not in the Heights, of course, and apologies for the thread diversion, but I highly recommend them to all HAIFers that want to enjoy a good, old fashioned, calorie laden, so greasy you've got to watch out that it doesn't fall out the bottom of the brown paper bag it comes in hamburger, then my friends, Big Burger V on Hardy is for you. It's one block north of Rittenhouse, southbound side of Hardy. Get an order of onion rings, too. You'll be glad you did.

I top off my burger and rings order with a chocolate malt. I mean if you're going to splurge, you might as well go all in.

[JCR]

The El Cantina Superior is done.  Will be interesting to see what happens next...

[mcook2002]

the sign says 'closed for utility problems' - have you heard otherwise? 

[JCR]

the sign says 'closed for utility problems' - have you heard otherwise? 

 

Yes, by a super reliable source.

[kylejack]

Yes, by a super reliable source.

 

Interesting. They're claiming gas leak. 

[JCR]

Interesting. They're claiming gas leak. 

If my source is wrong, a histogram of their FB and Twitter posts tells much.

Edited August 11, 2014 by JCR

[HAG]

So when you say it "is done", you mean closed for good? Or just until they fix issues (ie- utilities, service, food quality, etc)?

[bedmondson]

I am sure it is next to impossible to close down for a couple weeks and retain that large of a staff. 

[west20th]

Think I'll stay out of the restaurant business. Too crazy. 

[BullMan008]

I tried Skinny Ritas on Main last week and it was great. Bar was good and the kitchen was good. A little slow but thats expected during an opening of a new restaurant. Going again this week.

[s3mh]

I have not been to Skinny Ritas, but know a lot of folks who have.  Praise has been universal and strong.  Creative menu, good drinks and very vegetarian friendly/healthy without getting all caught up in the douchy "Fresh Mex" thing that is all over Austin. 

 

I did try Alli's Pizzeria.  Heights General Store downsized the grocery into the hallway on the west side of the store and has dedicated the east side of the first floor to the new pizzeria.  I have to say that it is very good.  For $8-10, you can get a personal sized pizza that is fairly close to a Neapolitan style pizza (very thin crust).  Beats Collina's pizza by a mile.  It is quick too, as the pizzas are cooked under high heat and it is counter service.  The do serve beer and wine, too.  This is a great place to go to when you do not feel like cooking and do not want to deal with the crowds/prices of places like Down House, LKHH, etc.

 

Also, if you just haven't been able to get high end pop up dinners from talented local chef's served in a Shell station, you will be excited to learn that your wait is over.  The folks behind Down House and DT are doing a series of pop up dinners at the soul food restaurant at the Shell station on the corner of Yale and Crosstimbers.  No, really.  I am not making this up:

 

http://blog.chron.com/foodchronicles/2014/08/chef-richard-knight-to-inagurate-new-kipper-club-test-kitchen/#26014101=0

 

I have also heard that Hunky Dory/Foreign Correspondents are finally getting permits and should be breaking ground soon.

[west20th]

 

 

I have also heard that Hunky Dory/Foreign Correspondents are finally getting permits and should be breaking ground soon.

Great news. It was starting to look like a failed project like the food truck lot around 16th and Shepherd. 

[JCR]

Restaurant Death Watch: Piatto.  Anyone else notice the taped over portion on the hanging sign.  Why they ever thought they could do lunch I'll never know.  Most likely not doing the covers needed with that overhead.

 

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.

 

Rumor mill: A fine dining joint for the north Yale area (Sunset Heights)  Discussions ongoing no deal inked as of yet.

 

GOOF: Building on CoH property and an unpermitted patio.  No wonder you've been red tagged.  Way to go Berryhill!

 

Crater Heights Alliance:  The Bedford/Stella Sola building.  There are many reasons this place is still empty.  It is so bad that very successful local restaurateurs have avoided it like the plague. And when outsider moneys who are eating up the Heights hype and overpaying for everything else are avoiding it too that just goes to show you how bad it is. The only way this property will ever be useful is tabula rasa.  A gas/electrical fire would not surprise me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[SilverJK]

I went to Skinny Ritas,  it was pretty good.  Will be a great place once the weather cools off a bit.

[s3mh]

Boulevard Coffee is closing.  Apparently another landlord dispute.  Not the best coffee in the Heights, but great pastries and best patio.  Crossing fingers that they can work this out. 

[tanith27]

Really sad to hear this.  They seemed to be doing everything right.  Place was always busy when we went.  I'm a landlord and I am very content to have reduced rent in exchange for an awesome tenant.