Houston's 13 Most Anticipated Fall Openings

After the wave of closings and firings that left so many chefs unemployed in 2011, this year has already seen any number of significant openings, as highlighted by the inclusion of three Houston restaurants in Bon Appetit's 50 Best New Restaurants last month. Although testaurants like Cuchara, Lucille's and Sparrow Bar + Cookshop have already jump-started the busy fall opening season, there's lots more to come. Here are the 13 places people will be talking about between now and Thanksgiving.

1. The Pass & Provisions
Location: Montrose
Description: A restaurant that diners have been anticipating for two years since chefs Seth Siegel-Gardner and Terrence Gallivan united with Justin Yu for the Just August project. The Pass and Provisions is Siegel-Gardner and Gallivan's dual concept restaurant that takes over the Gravitas space on Taft St. Provisions is the more casual option, with a menu centered around a massive, wood-burning over that will feature fresh breads and pizzas. The Pass will offer nightly five and eight-course tasting menus.
Opening Date: September for Provisions, October for The Pass

2. The Eatsie Boys Cafe
Location: Montrose
Description: Just because Matt Marcus serves food from a truck doesn't mean the man lacks legit chops. After graduating from the CIA, he spent time in the kitchen at Cyrus, a restaurant in the Sonoma wine country with two Michelin stars. In addition to sandwiches and salads, the cafe will feature coffee, an Argentinian-style yerba mate service and pastries.
Opening Date: October, probably

3. Alma and Evo
Location: Energy Corridor and Monstrose
Description: Ex-Samba Grille chef David Guerrero has plans to open two new restaurants. After a three-day. "Restaurant Impossible" style makeover, Alma opened very quietly this week in the Energy Corridor on Eldridge Parkway. It features Peruvian cuisine including ceviche. Guerrero's high end concept, Evo, will open either later this fall or early next year in a house on California behind Da Marco. It will be a more chef-driven, tasting menu oriented venue.
Opening Date: Right now and by the end of the year, hopefully

4. Étoile Cuisine et Bar
Location: Uptown Park
Description: Chef Philippe Verpiand aims to open Houston's most authentic French restaurant at the former Andre's Cafe space in Uptown Park. The restaurant will build on his experiences in San Diego at Tapenade and Cavaillon Restaurant and utilize local ingredients.
Opening Date: October

5. Mr Peeples
Location: Midtown
Description: Mr Peeples promises "an urban and youthful flair to the traditional steakhouse." The nearly 30,000-square-foot venue will incorporate a basement level lounge, separate bar and full floor of event space, while outdoor offerings will include a wraparound patio and next-door rooftop terrace. The design team includes Carlos Castropareds, recognized as one of the lead designers for W Hotels.
Opening Date: October

6. Nosh Bistro
Location: Upper Kirby
Description: Described as "modern cuisine with an Asian influence," French-trained chef Carlos Gonzales and owner Neera Paditar have developed a menu of shareable plates and family-style entrees that feature influences from India, Singapore, Thailand and Korea.
Opening Date: September

7. Killen's Steakhouse
Location: Heights
Description: Despite all the rumors to the contrary, chef Ronnie Killen insists his plan to take over the ex-Stella Sola space is still on track. Killen tweeted last week that he expected to sign the lease and start the transformation soon. Expect the usual steakhouse fare plus some of the more modern techniques he's displayed at one-off wine dinners and during a visit to the James Beard house.
Opening Date: October, hopefully

8. Volare
Location: River Oaks
Description: Coming to the same shopping center on Shepherd that houses the Hot Bagel Shop, Volare will offer New York style pizza served with craft beer and good wine. Chef Ara Malekian of food truck Aracan The Roaming Kitchen is working as consulting chef on the menu, which will also feature salads and paninis. Sommelier Antonio Gianola is helping develop the wine list.
Opening Date: October

9. Brooklyn Athletic Club
Location: Montrose
Description: Shepard Ross, part of the team that owns Heights restaurant Glass Wall, will bring some of his New York heritage to the space formerly occupied by Zimm's Little Deck. The Brooklyn Athletic Club will feature enough patio space for games like bocce and badminton, while serving food that reflects Brooklyn's Italian community.
Opening Date: Late September

10, Moon Tower Inn
Location: Eastside
Description: Although they expected to be open by now, the renovated Moon Tower Inn is still under construction. Assuming they've finally resolved their permitting issues, the new space will feature the same, wild-game sausages that made Moontower popular along with an expanded tap wall to offer even more craft beer and customer-friendly prices. New to the mix will be beer brewed by the Moontower team.
Opening Date: September

11. The Burger Guys Downtown
Location: Downtown
Description: Taking over the Korma Sutra space on Main Street, the Burger Guys are bringing their duck-fat fries, akahushi patties and homemade milkshakes to downtown. To facilitate downtown officer workers, the menu may also include some non-burger options. The space will initially be open for lunch, but dinner and brunch options may emerge as demands warrants.
Opening Date: September

12. Adair Kitchen
Location: Galleria
Description: Adair Kitchen is a comfort-food restaurant that replaces Habaneros Grille in the shopping center at San Felipe and Sage. In a post on Facebook, the lunch menu shows burgers, salads and breakfast options.
Opening Date: October

13. Original OKRA Charity Saloon
Location: Downtown
Description: Last, but not least, is the new downtown bar from the political organization the Organized Kooperative on Restaurant Affairs that has promised to donate all profits to charity. Located in a historic space on Congress St, the bar debuted to large, enthusiastic crowds during a preview fundraiser last month. Patrons will vote on the charity that will receive the month's proceeds.
Opening Date: November/December