Real ones know Houston is more than just what lies inside the 610 Loop. Suburbs like Sugar Land and The Woodlands have been making serious moves attracting top restaurants since last year, and suburban expansions in general are one of 2023’s hot dining trends.
Here’s a look at some exciting restaurants open now or coming soon to Bellaire, Spring Branch, Asiatown and beyond.
In the 30 years since Chinatown and Little Saigon left central Houston and moved out west, Asiatown has become one of the best neighborhoods to eat in the city. Restaurants here are mostly Chinese (east of the Beltway) and Vietnamese (west of the Beltway), but there are plenty of other dining options from the continent, such as Hongdae 33, a Korean barbecue spot that’s now open in Dun Huang Plaza.
Hongdae 33 is the second concept for Grace and Leo Xia, owners of Duck N Bao in Rice Military and Cypress. The new restaurant is an all-you-can-eat, traditional Korean barbecue experience where diners choose their meats and seafood and cook themselves at tabletop grills, with plenty of banchan dishes on the side. The beverage program focuses on soju, makgeolli rice wines and other Korean drinks—both on their own and incorporated into cocktails—as well as baijiu, the Chinese spirit.
The Korean newcomer isn’t the only recent addition to Asiatown. Hẻm Kitchen & Bar opened earlier this year, serving fun Vietnamese dishes in a space inspired by Vietnam’s alley-style restaurants. And Kyuramen, a chain with more than 100 locations across the country, opened its first Texas location in March and is already attracting long waits for a table.
Chef Aaron Bludorn is on a path of rapid expansion of his footprint in Houston. After opening his namesake Fourth Ward restaurant in summer 2020 and following it up with seafood-focused Navy Blue, which opened in late 2022 in Rice Village, he has already announced a third restaurant. Bludorn, his wife Victoria Pappas and partner Cherif Mbodji will take over the former space of Jonathan’s The Rub in Hedwig Village. There is no name yet and few details at this time, except that it will be an “upscale tavern” that will open “late 2023,” according to a release.
Palacios Murphy, the restaurant group behind Armandos (home of the $60 margarita), is bringing its Round Top concept Mandito’s Tex-Mex to Bellaire. The west Houston neighborhood has certainly become more hip in recent years, and this vibrant spot will be a welcome addition when it opens on April 13. Mandito’s will serve staples like enchiladas and fajitas, as well as its burrito bowl and Tex-Mex kale salad for the plant-based crowd.
Masterchef winner and James Beard nominee Christine Ha has made herself at home in Spring Branch, where she recently unveiled the brick and mortar of Blind Goat, an ambitious follow-up to her acclaimed (now-closed) counter in Bravery Chef Hall. The restaurant serves modern Vietnamese cuisine with Texas twists, including dishes like the quexô and wonton chips and the Vietnamese tostada.
Ha is also opening a sandwich shop called Stuffed Belly in Spring Branch later this year. And Underbelly Hospitality, the group formerly helmed by Chris Shepherd, is bringing locations of Wild Oats and Underbelly to the neighborhood soon.
…for Phat Eatery to open. The Malaysian restaurant in Katy is known for its unique style of crawfish and other specialties like nasi lemak. Chef Alex Au-Yeung is working on opening a second location in The Woodlands.
Original Article: https://www.chron.com/food/article/new-restaurants-houston-suburbs-17880473.php
