Austin Butcher Salt and Time Will Open at Forthcoming Food Hall Post HTX

Welcome to AM Intel in the time of coronavirus, a round-up of the city’s newest bits of restaurant-related intel. Follow Eater on Facebook and Twitter for up-to-date details on how COVID-19 is impacting the city’s dining scene.

Longtime Chron food editor Ann Criswell dies of COVID-19

Ann Criswell, who served as the Houston Chronicle’s food editor for more than three decades, died of COVID-19 on December 15, the paper reported. Criswell covered Houston’s food scene as it blossomed into the eclectic, multicultural, nationally-recognized gem it is now. She was also an invaluable resource for home cooks, tirelessly fielding phone calls and answering recipe questions from Chron readers, the paper said. She also wrote eight cookbooks.

Criswell worked at the Chron from 1961 until her retirement in 2000. Even after retiring, she continued to report. Earlier this year she contributed to a Chronicle story about an outbreak of COVID-19 at the College Station nursing home where she lived. Criswell would eventually succumb to the disease herself. She was 87.

Post Houston reveals first restaurant tenants for food hall

Post Houston, the development project taking over the former Barbara Jordan post office building just north of downtown, has announce the first six restaurants that will make up its food hall, Post Market. According to CultureMap, they include Salt & Time, an award-winning Austin butcher shop; The Butcher’s Burger, a restaurant from the owners of Salt & Time; Lea Jane’s Hot Chicken, which is currently operating out of Kung Fu Saloon on Washington Avenue; Taco Fuego, a food truck known for its halal quesabirrias; GELU Italian Ice; and SOUPreme, a Vietnamese restaurant that will focus on pho and bun bo Hue. The development, which will also include shops, office space and a concert venue, is expected to open in 2021.

Curry Up Now will bring Indian fast food to Houston

Curry Up Now, a quickly-growing chain of Indian fast-casual restaurants, has announced a multi-city franchise deal for Texas, including several locations in the Houston area, according to a press release. Locations are also planned for Dallas and Austin. The restaurant serves fusion street food dishes like tikka masala burritos and “naughty naan,” covered with melted cheese, jalapeños and caramelized onions. The restaurants are expected to open in Spring 2021.