Houston’s Most Anticipated New Restaurants, Fall 2017

Fall is just around the corner, and with those cooler temperatures comes a slew of exciting new restaurants. It’s already been a busy year for Houston restaurant openings, and the scene shows no signs of slowing down. Put simply, fall 2017 is going to be a ridiculously busy time for Houston diners.

From new arrivals from Houston favorites to revamps, these restaurants definitely need to be on your radar as summer turns into fall.

Oxbow 7

• Key Players: Bryan Caswell and wife Jennifer, along with chef de cuisine Michael Hoffman, formerly of Cafe Annie and Mark’s American Cuisine, and sous chef Sarah Schnitzer, formerly of Pax Americana.
• The Details: The latest venture from Reef’s Bryan Caswell, Oxbow7 will serve a menu of refined, Gulf-influenced fare. In addition to the restaurant, Caswell will also oversee food and beverage for Le Meridien, including freshly-baked sweet and savory pastries from Schnitzer.
• Where: Le Meridien, Downtown Houston
• When: August 29

Theodore Rex

• Key Players: James Beard Award winning chef Justin Yu, wine director Justin Vann, and chef de cuisine Jason White.
• The Details: After closing his much-lauded tasting menu restaurant Oxheart, Justin Yu is ready for something a little more casual. Theodore Rex will ditch the tasting menu format in favor of a la carte plates, all of which will feature plenty of pickled and fermented elements. The new restaurant will also offer a larger wine list with more affordable bottles.
• Where: 1302 Nance Street, in the space formerly known as Oxheart
• When: “By the end of August,” according to Yu.

Emmaline

• Key Players: Hospitality veteran Sam Governale, formerly of Fleming’s, and Chef Dmitri Voutsinas, a new-to-Houston chef from New York City who’s spent time in the kitchens of Daniel Boulud and Marcus Samuelsson.
• The Details: This new Montrose restaurant takes inspiration from vaunted dining establishments like The Ivy in West Hollywood and Il Buco in New York City, complete with a street-facing patio, bright sunroom, and four separate dining areas. Voutsinas’ menu will feature American, Mediterranean, and wood-grilled fare, including dishes like charbroiled oysters. The restaurant will also offer all-day dining, with options for everything from lunch to late-night munchies.
• Where: The space formerly known as Teala’s at 3210 West Dallas, near Buffalo Bayou Park.
• When: Early September 2017

Julie Soefer

One Fifth Romance Languages

• Key Players: Chef Chris Shepherd, wine director Matt Pridgen, and One Fifth chef de cuisine Nick Fine.
• The Details: Formerly known as One Fifth Steak, the second iteration of Shepherd’s “five restaurants in five years” concept will focus on the cuisines and wines of Spain, France and Italy. Look forward to seafood towers, pasta, charcuterie, and (possibly) cast iron paella. The menu at One Fifth Romance Languages will change more frequently than its predecessor, and notably, the “baller board” will not be on offer.
• Where: 1658 Westheimer Road in Montrose
• When: September 1

Rodeo Goat

• Key Players: Dallas restaurateur Shannon Wynne, known for concepts like The Flying Saucer, Meddlesome Moth, and Flying Fish.
• The Details: Originally opened in Fort Worth, Rodeo Goat brings yet another assortment of wacky, creatively-topped burgers made with beef sourced from Cameron, TX’s 44 Farms to Space City.
• Where: At the intersection of Dallas Street and St. Emanuel in EaDo.
• When: Originally expected to open back in the Spring, a representative for Rodeo Goat tells Eater that the restaurant will now arrive in October.

Ralph Smith

Goodnight Charlie’s

• Key Players: Master sommelier David Keck and consulting chef Alvin Schultz.
• The Details: After departing Camerata back in 2016, David Keck set out to bring Houston a truly epic honky-tonk. Alongside the beer and barrels of whiskey plucked straight from the rackhouses of Kentucky’s finest distilleries, look forward to a menu of regional Mexican dishes like tacos, tortas, and salads. Notably, Goodnight Charlie’s will keep the kitchen open until 3 a.m. on the weekends, bringing a brand new late-night option to the neighborhood.
• Where: 2531 Kuester in Montrose
• When: Late October 2017

Eunice

• Key Players: Chef John Besh, and former Lüke chef Drake Leonards, who will serve as chef-partner.
• The Details: Named after his hometown of Eunice, LA, Besh has kept quiet on his first-ever Houston restaurant since announcing it last year, but diners can look forward to a “Cajun, Creole brasserie” that will fuse the flavors of Louisiana and Houston. Diners can get a peek of the restaurant at Houston’s Taste of the Nation fundraiser for No Kid Hungry on Tuesday, September 19.
• Where: 3737 Buffalo Speedway
• When: Fall 2017, likely after September

Courtesy Agricole Hospitality

Agricole Hospitality’s EaDo Takeover

• Key Players: Morgan Weber and Ryan Pera, the minds behind popular Houston restaurants like Coltivare and Eight Row Flint.
• The Details: Taking over a giant space in EaDo, Agricole will open three distinct restaurants all under one roof. The first, Vinny’s, will be a quick-serve pizza shop serving pies by the slice and for delivery. The second, a European-inspired eatery called Indianola, pays homage to the Texas ghost town where Weber’s family first landed in Texas. And finally, Miss Carousel will bring a cozy, living-room style bar complete with a giant courtyard, classic cocktails, and fare delivered from Indianola or Vinny’s.
• Where: 1201 St. Emanuel in East Downtown
• When: Late 2017

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