Johnny Rita’s Cocina y Cantina, 5602 Fulton, opens February 6 in the Lindale Park neighborhood. It comes from owner Chico Ramirez, who named the new Mexican eatery after his grandparents, Johnny Johnson and Rita Ramirez. It’s a tribute to the couple who Ramirez says were “the roots of our family.”
The Pollo Mole is a Oaxacan flavor bomb. Credit: Hasan Yousef
From the aromas coming out of his grandmother’s kitchen, as she rendered pork in her cast iron skillet, to the barbecue his grandfather cooked over charcoal in the backyard, the new restaurant echoes the marriage of Mexican heritage and hospitality. Ramirez says, “Our gatherings revolved around family and cooking and we wanted to create a place where people can come together over great food, drinks and shared moments.”
Wynne Design Works created a bright and colorful interior space. Credit: Hasan Yousef
In charge of the kitchen is chef and partner Jesus Salinas. His resume includes a number of impressive Houston establishments including the now-shuttered Mark’s American Kitchen, Liberty Kitchen, Field & Tides and White Elm Brasserie. His menu incorporates the much-loved flavors of Tex-Mex cuisine along with coastal seafood and authentic Oaxacan dishes.
Mesquite and charcoal play a big role in the kitchen as well, with open flame techniques resulting in flavor-packed plates such as Sizzling Fajitas al Carbon, Costillas Cortas (short ribs) and Johnny’s Snapper a la Parilla. There are Oaxacan bites like Molotes Oaxaquenos, a stuffed, savory pastry similar to an empanada, plus Trompo al Pastor Tacos and Rita’s Enchiladas.
Look at all the pretty colors. Credit: Hasan Yousef
The cantina menu includes craft margaritas and tequila-forward cocktails such as The Flaco, with blood orange liqueur, and Repo Ember, a smoky reposado tequila drink with mango nectar. The bar itself is handcrafted out of wood and there are custom tables and booths in the dining room, decorated in colors of the Oaxacan desert and Pacific coast.
Located at The Galleria, Blanco offered a cool outdoor space. Credit: Lorretta Ruggiero
Blanco Cocina + Cantina, 5115 Westheimer, shuttered this week after seven years in the Galleria area. Originally opened as Blanco Tacos + Tequila by Fox Restaurants Concept, the Houston location was the only one in Texas. It currently has a dozen other restaurants, primarily in Arizona, where FRC is based.
Other FRC ventures in the Greater Houston area seem to do very well. The group, founded by James Beard Award semifinalist Sam Fox, operates four Houston locations of Flower Child, three North Italia spots, and most recently, The Henry, which opened in November 2025 at 700 Town and Country Boulevard. Fox sold FRC to The Cheesecake Factory but is still involved with the company.
It’s not the only recent closure in the Uptown area. In 2025, the Galleria lost Fig & Olive as well as The Oceanaire Seafood Room, plus Grand Lux Cafe in early 2026. Grand Lux was also owned by The Cheesecake Factory.
We have reached out for more information about the closure.
Bistro Mistral, 5313 Bellaire Boulevard, opened February 3 in Bellaire. It’s the second location of the French restaurant from chef David Denis to open, just weeks after he debuted Bistro Mistral Memorial in the former Bistro 555 space at 13616 Memorial. Denis and his brother, sommelier Sylvain Denis, are well known in the Houston restaurant scene. The duo operated the fine dining French restaurant Le Mistral for 18 years before closing it in 2019. Most recently, the brothers were involved with Cocody in River Oaks, but they parted ways with the business in October 2025.
At both locations, Chef Denis carries on his tradition of serving elegant French fare that is traditional, yet modern. Guests can begin the feast with starters like soupe gratinnee a l’oignon and escargots a la bourguignonne. Entrees are classic as well with dishes like boeuf a la bourguignonne and steak frites. There are also cold weather comfort meals such as the duck cassoulet or chicken fricassee with morels. Less French items include a small trio of pizzas.
The well-curated wine list includes inexpensive cremants and rose varietals as well as splurges like Chateauneuf-du-Pape and French champagne. However, many interesting bottles are under the $75 mark.
Maggie’s Coffee is ready to deliver locally-roasted coffee and premium teas. Credit: Quit Nguyen
Maggie’s Coffee, 11720 Katy Freeway, opened February 3 in the Energy Corridor. Located on the ground floor of Energy Tower II, the coffee shop and cafe has an open concept layout that flows directly into the building’s lobby. Designed by Gin Braverman of gin design group, it offers plenty of seating for guests to relax, conduct meetings or do work while enjoying a creamy latte or a chai tea.
Kraftsmen Bakery will provide the bagels, croissants and muffins, along with a couple of savory pastries, too. Credit: Quit Nguyen
Its beverage program includes coffee drinks made from beans sourced from Independence Coffee Co., a specialty roaster out of Bastrop, Texas. There will be a rotating menu of single-origin and blended choices. The local love continues with fresh pastries and light bites from Houston’s Kraftsmen Bakery. It will be open to both tenants and the public from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The new cafe was developed by Mac Haik Restaurant Group and named for CEO Mac Haik’s beagle Maggie. In tribute to his pup, the cafe will donate 50 cents from each cup sold in the first three months of opening to Citizens for Animal Protection.
MHRG will also open a full-service restaurant, Kirkwood, at Energy Plaza in the second quarter of 2026.
Becks Prime is known for its burgers, especially the bacon version. Credit: Kirsten Gilliam
Becks Prime, 11000 Westheimer, is closing after a 35-year run. The last day to get one its award-winning burgers at the Wilcrest spot is February 8. The Westheimer location will close its doors at 4 p.m.
The announcement on Facebook did not cite a reason, but thanked the community for “35 wonderful years of memories.” The post went on to say, “Wilcrest will always be part of who we are, and we hope to continue serving you at our other locations for many years to come.” It also stated that team members were offered positions at the other Becks restaurants.
Becks Prime has the meat, at its other locations. Credit: Becca Wright
There are eight other Houston area locations in which to indulge in a grilled steak, ahi tuna or handspun milkshake. Or if, God forbid, you wind up in Dallas, there’s also one Becks Prime there.
The Truffle butter Juicy Lucy Burger is a mouthful to say and a giant mouthful to eat. Credit: Jordan Smith
OMG! Burger is collaborating with chef Shannen Tune for a limited-time burger that will not only knock your socks off but also benefit the Feed the Soul Foundation. From February 9 through February 28, the Truffle Butter Juicy Lucy Burger will be available at all five OMG! locations.
The burger begins with two all-natural beef patties, stuffed with shaved truffles, butter and cheddar cheese curds. Served on soft fresh buns, smeared with house-made truffle mayo, the patties are then topped with smoked Gouda.
Chefs Nina Ahmed and Shannen Tune are collaborating and celebrating. Credit: Jordan Smith
Chef Nina Ahmed is the culinary creator behind the menu at OMG! and Tune is the former owner of Craft Burger. The partnership is in honor of Black History Month with a portion of the proceeds from the collaboration burger going to Feed the Soul Foundation, which helps to support marginalized culinary businesses and offer help to students with scholarships, education, grants and business development.
This article appears in Private: Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2026.
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