Houston’s food scene always has a lot going on! Our “This Week” column rounds up deals, food and drink events, limited-time menu items, new dishes and much more! Make sure you don’t miss an installment of this useful series by subscribing to our newsletter! 

New Houston Restaurants & Bars

Alora, 2502 Dunlavy: This new Peruvian and Vietnamese fusion restaurant from chef-owners Diego and Makayla Ponce is now open in the space that was previously home to Viet-Cajun restaurant Kâu Ba. The menu reflects the chefs’ respective heritage and includes a full bar with a focus on craft cocktails. Its current hours are Sunday and Monday from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m., and Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Reservations are available on Resy.

Chardon, 1711 Allen Parkway: This new modern French bistro, from TableOne Hospitality, is located in the Thompson Hotel Houston by Hyatt and it is set to open in February. The menu has been put together by executive chef Alexandre Viriot who has worked for renowned chefs around the world including Guy Savoy and Alain Ducasse. It will focus on approachable, everyday French fare.

Chikahan, 2313 Edwards: A new Filipino-inspired fine dining restaurant has debuted in Sawyer Yards. The restaurant is one of the first Filipino tasting menu experiences in Houston, after Lumikha supper club downtown, with both businesses hot on the heels of Chicago’s Kasama — the first Filipino restaurant in America to be awarded a Michelin star. At Chikahan, chef-owner Andrew Musico prepares seven imaginative courses utilizing local, in-season produce and with nods to both Filipino and Texan cooking traditions. Reservations can be made on the website.

Slice of Venice Italian Restaurant, 5275 Louetta: Now open in Northwest Houston, this pizzeria has taken over the space previously occupied by a Godfather’s Pizza but promises to deliver a much more authentic experience. Chef-owner Francesco Gennari proudly produces authentic Italian and Italian-American cuisine including Pinsa Romana, New York-style pizza, panino and fresh, handmade pasta made with Italian semolina, used in pasta dishes including Bolognese, cacio e pepe, chiara and more. Slice of Venice is open Wednesday through Monday from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m.

Mesón Sommelier, 205 Midway: Old Town Spring is getting a new wine-centric tapas bar with a focus on the wines of Spain and France. While details are still scant, the restaurant has shared that it is in the final stages of construction and hopes to open soon. You can follow its Facebook page for updates.

A Houston Teahouse is Closing

Proper Rose Garden, located in Katy Asia Town at 1223 Grand West Boulevard, has announced it will be closing permanently on Monday, January 27. The locally owned and operated café specializes in afternoon tea and Asian-European fusion desserts and brunch. Ownership cited the recent natural disasters, global pandemic and the rising costs of goods and labor over the past few years as the primary reasons for its closure. There is still time to enjoy the Proper Rose Garden experience one last time! It is open Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday from noon to 10 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 8 p.m. Its last day of service is on Sunday, January 26.

Houston Specials & Events Happening This Week Through Sunday, January 19

Go Ahead And Push Your New Year’s Resolution Diet to February

On Tuesday, January 14, Kenny & Ziggy’s New York Delicatessen, located at 1743 Post Oak, is celebrating National Hot Pastrami Day in a BIG way! The popular deli is offering a Triple Decker Hot Pastrami Sandwich piled high with USDA prime beef cured in-house for 45 days and triple-smoked at a low temperature. The pastrami is then thinly sliced and stacked on seeded rye with coleslaw and Russian dressing for $26.95.

The Heat Is On At This North Houston Chili Cookoff

The Texas Beer Experience is hosting its fourth annual chili cookoff on Saturday, January 18 at The Cove on Hamblen. The friendly competition kicks off at noon and the $5 entry fee includes voting privileges and chili samples. Located at 1101 Hamblen in Kingwood, The Cove features over 30 craft beer taps in addition to wine, cider and mead. Feel like competing? There’s still time to register your team on the website for $25 and we have a handy guide to ensure you’re prepared on all things chili con carne!

B’tween Sandwich Co. Pop-up at Rice Village Farmers Market

Chef Michelle Wallace is back in Houston after a recent collaborative tasting-menu event at Adalina restaurant in Chicago and is hitting the ground running with a pop-up at the Rice Village Farmers Market from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, January 19. One of Houston’s most creative rising-star chefs, Wallace has been on a roll since leaving Gatlin’s Barbecue in 2023, where she had served as executive chef for six years. She has since started her own brand, B’tween Sandwich Co., competed on the 21st season of Top Chef and the third season of Food Network’s BBQ Brawl, participated in the James Beard Foundation’s 2022 Taste America: Houston and has been featured in publications including Southern Living, Quench, Texas Monthly and the Southern Foodways Alliance.  

Happening the Rest of January 2025

Dine Out For A Good Cause In Rice Village

Through Friday, January 31, Dine Out Rice Village, hosted by the Rice Village District, is raising money for the Southern Smoke Foundation through exclusive prix fixe menus and featured items being offered at participating restaurants! Choose from some of the best restaurants Rice Village has to offer, including Israeli restaurant Hamsa, D’Amico’s Italian Market Café, Navy Blue and Milton’s — recently named one of Houston Food Finder’s “Best New Houston Restaurants of 2024.” 

Chef Philippe Schmit Reappears at River Oaks Steakhouse

Bari Hospitality Group, the team behind Bari Ristorante, has taken over ownership and management of Georgia James — the luxury steakhouse originally conceived and operated by James Beard Award-winning chef, entrepreneur and Southern Smoke Foundation co-founder Chris Shepherd during his time with Underbelly Hospitality. The new leadership includes partners Pedro Teyuca and Tommy Nally, Bari executive chef Renato De Pirro and longtime Houston chef and Master Chef of France Philippe Schmit, formerly of recently closed restaurant PS-21. Changes to the menu include updated pricing, lunch and brunch offerings and new dishes including bone marrow with pickled onions and creole mustard, Ōra King Salmon with beurre blanc and a luxurious Chateaubriand for two.

Enjoy Loteria Night At Understory

Starting this month, Understory Food Hall, located at 800 Capitol in the Bank of America Tower, is hosting Loteria Bingo on Tuesdays from 4 to 6 p.m. with fun prizes. The weekly event includes rotating drink specials Silver Lining Bar and $1 tacos al pastor from La Taquiza Street Tacos while you play. The downtown food hall also features eight distinct dining options, two coffee shops and two bars.

Support Small Businesses In The Heart Of Montrose

Montrose Live, a “placemaking pop-up initiative” and open-air market space located at 1001 Westheimer at the corner of Montrose and Westheimer, has undergone a complete overhaul. Launched by local entrepreneur Jessica Ivins in 2021, the space is being transformed into a vibrant community hub with a dynamic blend of retail, dining and entertainment options. This includes live music performances, a series of air-conditioned shipping containers converted into boutique retail businesses known as container galleries and a rotating lineup of food trucks open daily such as HoustatlantaVegan, Yummy’s Hot Chicken and Just Smash. Montrose Live also features weekend tent shop collectives focused on sustainability, cultural experiences, original artwork and organic foods every Saturday and Sunday from noon until 6 p.m. 

Later This Year

Tickets On Sale Now For One of Katy’s Most-Popular Food & Wine Events

The Katy Sip ‘n’ Stroll — hosted twice a year in the spring and fall — draws thousands of attendees and features notable Houston-area chefs, local businesses and, as you might guess from the name, a lot of wine brands. Tickets for the spring Sip ’n’ Stroll are now on sale. It’s hosted on Saturday, April 5 at The Ark by Norris at 21402 Merchants Way. Part of the event is the Katy Premier Culinary Awards where chefs compete for awards and bragging rights. There’s also the new Sweet Street competition, where attendees vote on the best desserts. A portion of proceeds benefits Christ Clinic, which offers high-quality healthcare and healthcare-related services to those who are uninsured and underinsured.  Go online for tickets and details. 

Mario-Sebastian Berry

Mario-Sebastian Berry is a wine and spirits vendor who has been in the hospitality industry since 2002. Currently, he represents Blanco, Texas-based Andalusia Whiskey Co. He holds numerous wine, beer and spirits certifications including Certified Sommelier. Somehow, he also finds time to be Houston Food Finder’s associate editor and social media manager.