Head on over to Yiayia’s the next time you’re craving Mediterranean food.
Things are heating up this summer, and we’re not just talking about the weather. Houston’s food scene is sizzling with growth. It seems like every day there’s a new spot popping up around town.
With so much change, it can be hard to keep up with it all. So, we’ve decided it’s time for us to zoom in month by month to look at the hottest new places you should be adding to your restaurant bucket list.
Pappas Restaurants new spot Yiayia’s pays homage to its Greek roots.
Yiayia’s Greek Kitchen
Upper Kirby
Known for its dependable chain restaurants, family-owned hospitality group Pappas Restaurants has expanded with a reboot that pays homage to its Greek roots in a space that blends old-school vibes with modernity. Yiayia’s officially opened Friday, August 1, with a menu that’s designed to be shared. Inspired by the family matriarch Yiayia Mary and Greece’s yiayiades (grandmothers), the restaurant dishes out dolmades (beef or lamb with basmati wrapped in grape leaves); smoked shrimp tarama with pink peppercorn; Mediterranean sea bass; lamb shank; and traditional moussaka. Diners can complement the experience with cocktails made with Greek spirits and desserts like delicate panna cotta and baklava cheesecake.
Savoir
Heights
Houston diners were shocked when this Heights restaurant shut its doors earlier this year. Now, Jose Hernandez is ready to bring Savoir back. The restaurant quietly reopened in early August. According to CultureMap, the chef, who was disappointed with the closure, was approached about reviving the restaurant, and he agreed. He vows to serve the same Mediterranean-style cuisine that diners loved, including its signature pastas and pizzas. As for Patton’s, the speakeasy steakhouse within Savoir, plans are reportedly still being finalized.
Kilani Food Hall
Missouri City
This new food hall, which opened on Saturday, August 9, has upped Missouri City’s culinary diversity, with seven new vendors all in one spot. Diners can choose from Lit Wings’ crispy fried fowl; Nashville-style hot chicken from Burnin’ Chick; burgers and hot dogs from Cheeky Buns; shawarma from the Shawerma Man; Mediterranean bites from Gyro Bros; fried fish and seafood from A&M Fry Shack; and Mexican cuisine from Taco Nova.
Koe Wetzel’s Riot Room
Midtown
Country music lovers can now flock to Midtown to experience the Houston location of Texas-born singer Koe Wetzel’s very own party spot. Koe Wetzel’s Riot Room offers a robust menu, featuring plates like chicken wings, beer-can chicken, comforting meatloaf, burgers, sandwiches, and salads for lunch and dinner. Brunch-lovers can kick things off early at the bar and grill with a lineup of omelets, pancakes, and strawberry French toast. More information on drinks and specials to come.
BNX Burgers & Fries
Webster
Tony and Mike Mistry of Burger Nation tap into Texans’ love of red meat with a new burger joint in Webster. BNX Burgers & Fries opened on Wednesday, July 30, treating diners to classic burgers, featuring patties from Pasadena’s Ditta Meat and buns made fresh locally. Anyone who doesn’t enjoy burgers can opt for a grilled or crispy sandwich meal, a chicken tender basket, crispy fries, and shakes in flavors like chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla.
Coming Soon
A rendering of the main dining room previews an inviting atmosphere.
Liberty Kitchen & Oysterette
Rice Village
Culinary Khancepts is expanding its beloved Gulf Coast–inspired cuisine to Rice Village in the former space that housed Gratify Neighborhood Bistro. The new outpost, which is projected to open this fall, will serve as Liberty Kitchen & Oysterette’s third location. Diners can expect the same brunch, lunch, dinner, and happy hour menus as its River Oaks and Memorial locations. Houstonia’s favorites include the black truffle Hamachi, the deviled eggs, lobster roll, and linguine Pescatore, a seafood-loaded combination of mussels, scallops, chorizo, red bell peppers, black olives, and tomatoes dripping in garlic butter.
Dining and Cooking