Killen’s Steakhouse, 6425 W. Broadway, reopened September 10, as we reported last week, here in the Houston Press. Owner and chef Ronnie Killen closed the 20-year-old Pearland restaurant that bears his name temporarily this past June. The relaunch is an ambitious one because Killen is after a Michelin star now that Texas has its own Michelin Guide.
That’s an awful lot of expensive glass. Credit: Killen’s Steakhouse
So what has changed? For starters the steakhouse has undergone a $1,000,000 renovation, which includes sound dampening for the dining room. All the little details that Michelin Guide inspectors look for inspired Killen and his team to curate plateware from Villeroy & Boch and copper service pieces from French company, Mauviel. High-end stemware and decanters from Zalto are matched to each wine. Another European touch is the hand-crafted live-fire Mibrasa hearth from Spain, though there’s also a 1,800-degree infrared broiler from Montague Company, a California-based kitchen supply store founded in 1857.
It’s not just the physical elements that Killen is focusing on. He has flown his chefs to California restaurants like Thomas Keller’s French Laundry in Napa and his service staff to Asador Bastian in Chicago. He also took staff to MARCH here in Houston to get a first-hand look at high-quality service standards.
You and a couple dozen of your closest friends can splurge in the wine cellar. Credit: Killen’s Steakhouse
The menu itself has seen some upgrades, including the beefed-up (ahem) steak program that mixes Australian and Japanese wagyu selections with local and domestic steaks from places like Rosewood Ranches in Ennis, Texas and R-C Ranch in Brazoria County, from wet-aged ribeyes and filets to dry-aged bone-in steaks.
The refined menu now focuses on standout dishes like jumbo lump crab cake with shrimp and Gulf red snapper to desserts such as creme brulee bread pudding and the signature carrot cake. Killen plans to debut a rotating tasting menu later this fall.
Killen, who turns 60 this month, said he hasn’t been “this energized in a long time.” He added, “We get a second chance to make a first impression and that’s rare in this business…I want to do something that all of Houston can be proud of, where other steakhouses come to see what we’re doing next.”
The Risotto Veracruzano has our name on it,. Credit: Grupo Herrera Restaurants
Galiana’s Casa Del Tequila, 11231 Greenhouse, will open softly September 21 through September 27 for dinner only, by reservation. The restaurant will fully open September 28. Located at Towne Lake in Cypress, this newest concept from family-owned Grupo Herrera Restaurant Group will offer modern and elevated Mexican cuisine.
Galiana’s interior is pretty and bright. Credit: Grupo Herrera Restaurants
The locally-owned hospitality group is known for several Houston and Cypress restaurants including Alicia’s Mexican Grille, Dario’s Steakhouse and Marvino’s Italian Steakhouse. It also operated Galiana’s Tex-Mex & Agave Bar off of Highway 290, but closed it last May to relocate the concept to Towne Lake with a slightly new name and a more upscale menu.
Co-owner Dario Herrera describes the new menu as “the fresher side of Mexico.” Guests can expect coastal influences on both the food and the decor. The fresh seafood selections include starters like pulpo al carbon and campechana as well as entrees such as salmon al mojo verde and risotto veracruzano, a seafood-filled risotto that is already on our wish list.
The steak fajitas are made with 1855 Black Angus beef. Credit: Grupo Herrera Restaurants
Carnivores are not forgotten, either. In addition to 1855 Black Angus fajitas, there is a selection of quality steak cuts like filet mignon, American wagyu New York strip and a hefty 1855 Black Angus tomahawk.
As with its previous iteration, Galiana’s will showcase an agave-forward bar program with unique cocktails like the Verde Piquante margarita, made with tomatillo juice and the luscious Dulce de Tamarindo. The Oaxaca Espresso takes the trendy martini to a whole new level with both tequila and mezcal mixed with espresso and Mr. Black coffee liqueur.
No blaring televisions makes the space more intimate and personal. Credit: Hasan Yousef
The Bixby, 7202 Long Point, opened on the same property as its parent concept, Long Point Social Club, a pickleball and restaurant venue. Part of The Kirby Group, each business has its own distinction. While padel players and spectator sports fans can enjoy outdoor spaces and indoor dining, The Bixby is more of a relaxed neighborhood bar with no televisions blasting political punditry or non-stop play-by-plays.
Ice, ice baby. Credit: Hasan Yousef
Beverage director Joel Ramirez hails from the Santa Cruz area of California and the bar gets its moniker from The Golden State’s Bixby Creek Ridge. For Ramirez, the new watering hole is a place where guests can get comfortable and have a good time. “The drinks can be complex, the music can be eclectic and the room can have its own personality, but hospitality should always feel simple,” he said in a press release.
Get there early to claim the sofa. Credit: Hasan Yousef
There’s room for 45 patrons inside plus seating for 40 on the outdoor patio. The deep colors set the mood, lightened by warm woods and pendant lighting. Conversation and craft cocktails are the entertainment with creative drinks like The Bixby Cup, made with gin, strawberry, kombu, lime and togarashi. There are plenty of classic cocktails as well, along with wine, beer and non-alcoholic options.
A small food menu offers nosh like wings, burgers, street tacos and Nashville chicken nuggets.
All the goodies at Himari are headed to Tanglewood. Credit: Studio Rivera
Himari, 6414 San Felipe, is slated to open in late 2026 or early 2027 as announced by Duckstache Hospitality, the group behind Kokoro Sushi & Yakitori, Kokoro Handroll Bar, Doko and Bar Doko. It’s the second location for Himari which opened its first spot at Stomping Grounds at Garden Oaks in 2023.
The Tanglewood location promises to be the largest Duckstache concept thus far. Led by chefs Patrick Pham and Daniel Lee, the restaurant will span nearly 4,500 square feet. Transforming the former Bank of America space is Gin Design Group and architect SDstudio. With inspiration from Japanese Rural Modernism, the interior will feature layered wood ceilings, indigo accents and sleek, dark terrazzo. The bar will be framed by custom wood millwork, offering views into the open kitchen.
What’s your favorite tuna? Credit: Studio Rivera
Co-owner and chef Lee said in a press release, “We wanted this second Himari to feel like a natural evolution of the original – stuill casual, approachable and welcoming, but with more room for people to gather and make it their own.”
The menu will offer much of the same items such as sushi sets, donburi bowls, maki, sashimi, nigiri and robata, along with signature dishes like spicy hamachi crudo, made with Japanese yellowtail, serrano pepper and cold-smoked tomato.
El Tiempo Webster, 20237 Gulf Freeway, announced that it is reopening, this time under the Laurenzo family’s lead. The restaurant closed September 3, much to the dismay of locals. The Laurenzo family operates a number of El Tiempo locations around town, with several under franchise agreements, as was the one in Webster.
We await news of a reopening date as do the fine folks of Webster.
Bistro le Cep, 11112 Westheimer, quietly closed this summer, as reported by Chron. com. Originally opened in 2001, it was a consistently popular spot for its solid French country cuisine and cozy ambiance. It was founded by chef Joe Mannke, who sold the restaurant to his longtime general manager Oved Salmeron in 2011, when Mannke retired. Unfortunately, Salmeron passed away in 2022, leaving his family to run the business until its recent closure.
In 2022, daughter Karla Salmeron told Voyage Houston that the restaurant had not needed to hire a new waiter since 2005. And many of the other staff were also longtime team members. We wish them all well.
The elegant dining room has views of the open kitchen. Credit: Zahrah Al Hillawai / Civra Group
Majestic Kitchen, 10619 City Walk, is shooting to have its grand opening October 17. Though the final menu is still under development, a peek at chef Dipak Aryal’s dishes shows Maharaja lamb on the menu, plus Majestic Pasta, a dish that combines pasta with Indian spices and flavors.
The upscale Indian restaurant promises to be a stunning dining destination for the rapidly-expanding local neighborhoods, plus visitors to the nearby Smart Financial Center. Transforming the space which formerly housed Mahesh’s Kitchen, the interior features an illuminated bar and a dining room that draws inspiration from Indian architecture with elegant finishes and contemporary style.
The glowing bar will be a focal point at Majestic Kitchen. Credit: Zahrah Al Hillawi/ Civra Group
Majestic Kitchen will stay open until 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, giving concert-goers and late-night celebrants a fine dining option instead of drive-thru fast food.
We have been promised more updates and details in the upcoming weeks. Stay tuned.
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