Los Cucos in the Heights, Saravanaa Bhavan and More Certified Open

Goodbye 2014 and hello new restaurants to check out in 2015. Houston Press critic and contributor Phaedra Cook runs down a list of openings and closings in late November and December that could be worth tacking on to your to-do list this weekend:

1.) Saravanaa Bhavan - The second location in Texas and first in Houston, this Indian restaurant chain opened December 20 at 8350 Westheimer. The main draw of the city's newest Southern Indian spot is the Tamil cuisine, with countless vegetarian offerings a major plus.

2.) Los Cucos Signature Mexican Café - Local Tex-Mex chain Los Cucos expanded to the Heights with a new concept, a signature cafe. In addition to familiar dishes, Los Cucos will offer chef-inspired entrees derived from Mexico. Doors opened December 10.

3.) MOD Pizza - The build-your-own-pizza pizzeria opened its second Houston area restaurant in two months, this time in the Galleria. Located in the Tuscany Square shopping plaza, the Seattle-based restaurant is best known for its custom-made pies. Additional locations to open in Pearland (2682 Pearland Parkway) and the Memorial area (14555 Memorial Dr) later this year with two more to come in the near future.

4.) Bahama Buck's - The shaved ice chain continues to invade Houston, recently opening another location at 11300 Katy Freeway. More shops serving frozen treats and smoothies are on the way in 2015.

5.) North Harbor Bistro - Opened in November at 10920 Fry in Cypress, Cook notes, "their menu looks pretty much like the menu of every other Chinese restaurant in town," but suggests checking out the Szechwan garlic shrimp and dumplings.

6.) Pho US - Located down the street from the upcoming Krispy Kreme in Bear Creek, this Vietnamese restaurant has been serving up bowls of pho since November. Additionally, banh mi  and other standard fare are on the menu.

7.) Rudy's Country Store and Bar-B-Q - The Texas-based barbecue chain with a cult following opened its fifth Houston area smokehouse December 11 at 20500 Southwest Freeway in Richmond.