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This summer brings a number of exciting restaurant openings, many of which were delayed by torrential rains and flooding the city saw during the spring. As we head into these warmer months, look forward to this bevy of new concepts – ranging from Australian pub fare to French Colonial – that will make you eager to head out for dinner, even during the summer's most brutally hot months.
Platypus Brewing
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- Location: 1902 Washington Ave
- Details: Houston’s first Australian-style brewpub will feature house-brewed beers and a menu of locally-inspired dishes. Award-winning brewer Kerry Embertson, formerly of Eureka, CA’s Lost Coast Brewery, will lead the beer program, but no chef has been announced just yet.
- Projected opening date: Summer 2016
Image credit: Platypus Brewing/Facebook
Oui Banh Mi
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- Location: 1601 Richmond Ave
- Details: Originally slated to open earlier this year, Oui Banh Mi is still working on finishing out their space before the doors can open. Fortunately, the Vietnamese sandwich shop looks to be in the home stretch, which means that diners can look forward to an opening in the coming weeks.
- Projected opening date: June/July 2016
Image credit: Oui Banh Mi/Facebook
Bernie's Burger Bus
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- Location: 2200 Yale
- Details: Chef Justin Turner will open the third outpost of his popular burger joint in the Heights at some point this summer, at which time you’ll no longer have to drive to the ‘burbs to dig into a Principal with chili-cheese fries on the side.
- Projected opening date: Summer 2016
Image credit: Bernie's Burger Bus
Texas Shrimp Shack
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- Location: 1617 Richmond Ave
- Details: The much-beloved Montrose Mexican spot Maria Selma will shutter on June 2 to make way for this shrimp boil-focused concept. Look forward to spicy Gulf coast shrimp served by the pound in addition to some of the old faves from Maria Selma’s menu.
- Projected opening date: July 2016
Image credit: Maria Selma Mexican Restaurant
Eloise Nichols Grill & Liquor
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- Location: 2400 Mid Lane
- Details: The minds behind Adair Kitchen will soon bring this casual American bistro to River Oaks. Executive Chef Joseph Stashich will serve up Southern-inspired, locally-focused dishes like pickled deviled eggs and avocado-crab salad & Texas caviar.
- Projected opening date: August 2016
Image credit: Adair Restaurants
SumoMaya
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- Location: 4444 Westheimer Rd
- Details: An Asian-Mexican fusion concept from Scottsdale, AZ, SumoMaya will join the onslaught of River Oaks restaurant openings in short order. Look forward to tapas-style small plates and heartier fare influenced by both cuisines, like Mexican pho and al pastor pad Thai.
- Projected opening date: TBD, Summer 2016
SumoMaya in Scottsdale, AZ
Le Colonial
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- Location: 4444 Westheimer Rd
- Details: Also a new addition to River Oaks, this new-to-Houston concept brings swanky French-Vietnamese fare. The constantly-updated menu will feature plenty of Houston produce in fresh takes on traditional plates.
- Projected opening date: TBD, Summer 2016