Openings and Closings: H Town’s Zaranda Opens

Zaranda, 1550 Lamar, opens to the public October 18 at 4 p.m. Located in the Norton Rose Fulbright Tower across from Downtown Houston’s Discovery Green Park, It will join H Town Restaurant Group’s line-up of acclaimed restaurants including Hugo’s, Caracol, URBE, Xochi and the soon-to-reopen Back Street Cafe. 

The news of a new Hugo Ortega restaurant always gets Houston gourmands excited. The James Beard Award-winning chef and his equally lauded wife, and restaurateur, Tracy Vaught, have created some of the most loved and visited restaurants in the city. While Houston has always had a plethora of Tex-Mex eateries and authentic taqueria, Ortega’s foray into the culinary scene in Houston has introduced diners to authentic Mexican flavors with modernity and refinement. From traditional Oaxacan dishes to seafood plates inspired by the Mexican coast, Ortega elevates the cuisine beyond guests’ expectations.

Ortega does not stand alone in his ventures, however. Along with his wife Vaught, who has received an Outstanding Restaurateur semi-finalist nod from JBA four times, Ortega has chefs Adrian Caballero and Paula Gutierrez helping to execute the menu and lead the kitchen.   Ortega’s brother, Ruben Ortega, who was a James Beard Award finalist for Outstanding Pastry Chef in 2022, is the executive pastry chef for H Town and he will be assisted by lead pastry chef Roxy Puga. 

The concept is based on Las Californias, a term once used to describe the region from Northern California to Cabo San Lucas. Alta California, or “Upper California,” was annexed by the United States after the Mexican-American War, eventually becoming the 31st state in 1850. Baja California, or the lower region, remained part of Mexico. It is the bounty of produce and abundance of seafood in these beautiful areas that inspires the menu at Zaranda.

Hugo Ortega says, “ I wanted to reimagine the region as one vast, natural expanse, without consideration of borders.” And it’s not only the food that inspired Ortega, but also his family’s immigration to California, though Hugo himself settled in Houston instead. Over the years, he has traveled around Mexico extensively to bring back to his adopted city authentic Mexican flavors and traditional techniques. Even the name itself, Zaranda, is based on the traditional wire basket used to cook seafood over open flames. 

The zarandeado technique will be used to showcase fresh seafood like lobster, octopus, shrimp and fish, plus more exotic aquatic treasures like abalone, geoduck and sea urchin. There will also be dishes that pay homage to the Mexican vaqueros who helped to create a thriving ranching culture in the region. Guests will find premium beef cuts along with plates like Borrego Tatemado, charred, slow-cooked lamb. Paella-like dishes will highlight seafood, meat and vegetables as well. 

The wine list at Zaranda, curated by sommelier Elvis Espinoza, will introduce guests to wines they may not be very familiar with, including varietals from both the Alta and Baja areas. In addition to more well-known regions like Napa, Sonoma, Russian River and Cisneros, the offerings will include Mexican wines from the Valle de Guadalupe. 

Carlos Serrano will lead the craft cocktail program. With over 20 years of experience with H Town Restaurant group, his expertise means guests will find unique flavor profiles and unexpected ingredients. 

The restaurant’s interior was designed by Christina Wilburn of gin design group and takes advantage of its park setting. With floor-to-ceiling windows and light wood finishes, the dining room is bright and airy, giving diners a feel that they have been transported to the California coast. There is an outdoor patio for watching the action at Discovery Green as well as two private dining spaces. 

Houston This is It, 2712 Blodgett, closed its doors October 12 in the Third Ward. It is slated to reopen as Mikki’s Soul Food Cafe October 26 with a grand opening celebration. Owner Craig Joseph Sr. is passing This is It to his son Craig Joseph Jr. who, along with his sister Jeanelle Williams, owns and operates two locations of Mikki’s in Houston and in Pearland. The duo took over the restaurant after the passing of their mother and its founder, Jeanette Williams, in 2019. The legacy is simply changing hands and names, but will still remain part of the family’s culinary portfolio.

The surprising announcement was made via its Facebook page with many devoted customers bemoaning the shuttering. However, locals will still be able to find satisfying soul food when Mikki’s opens. Also, the Humble location of This is It, which opened in 2023, remains in operation.

Founded in 1959 in the Fourth Ward originally, the restaurant made a move to its Blodgett location in 2010. It has continued in the family for four generations and many members of the extended family hold various positions in the business. 

Known for its oxtails, smothered pork chops and fried chicken, the restaurant was popular among locals, but also celebrities. Houston natives Beyonce and her former band mate, Kelly Rowland, were fans and former First Lady Jill Biden made a visit to the iconic comfort food eatery in November 2022, accompanied by Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and the late congresswoman, Sheila Jackson Lee. 

Charm Taphouse & BBQ, 525 Woodlands Square Boulevard, will celebrate its grand opening October 25 in Conroe, after launching last month. Owners Wanalee and Adam Gorelick already operate several local concepts including Charm Thai Kitchen & Bar in The Woodlands, as well as Charm Thai Bistro and Noe’s Cafe in Spring. 

The restaurant has an extensive menu of traditional barbecue like slow-cooked brisket and pulled pork, as well as traditional Thai dishes, including pad see ew and pad kee mao. Some of the menu items are fusions of both cuisines with plates like Tex-Thai BBQ Fried Rice and Charm Special Red Curry Brisket. The red curry even shows up in that barbecue staple, mac and cheese. Green beans are served tom yum-style and there are appetizers such as chicken satay and pork belly bao buns. The house-made sausages are infused with Thai flavors like basil and peanuts. 

True to its taphouse name, there is a wide selection of Texas craft beers, plus an impressive whiskey list and signature cocktails. 

The Bell and Crane, 908 Henderson, is having a grand opening celebration October 18, starting at 7 p.m. Guests can order tickets for custom bbq plates, provided by nearby shop and restaurant, Henderson & Kane. The tickets include a swag pack, reserved seating and three cocktails. There will also be music from DJ Waldo. Tickets are not necessary to enter the bar, but then you don’t get any barbecue or swag.

The new concept is a rebrand for owner and bartender Ashley Bell. The space once housed Henderson Heights, but Bell bought the bar in 2023 and operated it as Hendo’s for a couple of years, according to CulturemapHouston.

Guests can expect neon lights, craft cocktails and a spacious outdoor patio.

7 Brew, 16968 Concord, will open in Conroe November 3. It’s the 8th stand-alone stand in the Greater Houston area, if you count that bustling city north of us as part of the Houston sprawl. There will be a ribbon cutting at 10 a.m., along with a $10,000 check presentation to Texas Children’s Hospital Woodlands Campus. 

Located in the Harpers Preserve enclave, the drive-thru coffee stand offers a multitude of beverage options for thirsty travelers or commuters looking for a caffeine buzz. It has a variety of coffee and espresso drinks, teas, sodas and its signature chillers and energy-infused drinks, plus smoothies and shakes. 

The opening week will host “Friends and Family” hours, followed by a Swag Day on November 13 from 5:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.. Check its website for more information for dates and times. 

Owned and operated by franchise group Texas Coffee partners, the new location is part of the group’s expansion across Texas. In addition to Houston, Texas Coffee Partners has opened successful stands in Austin and San Antonio.

Raising Cane’s is having grand reopening celebrations for three of its Greater Houston locations. Each store underwent a complete transformation with new signage, updated colors and refreshed design details like new seating and artwork.

The first is the newly remodeled location at 7531 Westheimer October 18. Beginning at 10 a.m., the first 50 customers in line will receive a swag bag and a box combo card. The card is limited to one per combo purchase and does not include the kids combos. The same deal will be offered at 1501 Research Forest in Shenandoah October 25, while Pearland’s grand reopening, 1601 Broadway, will take place November 1 with the same giveaway offers, plus a fundraiser from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for the Pride of Pearland Marching Band.

The chicken finger restaurant now has 52 Houston area locations after making its debut in the city in 2005.

A Cheese Affair, 5302 Morningside, opened September 13 in Rice Village. The cheese shop is modeled on a French fromagerie, full of glass cases displaying cheeses from the United States, Italy, England, and of course, France. In fact, the shop is the first U.S. member of La Federation des Fromagerie de France.

Owner Randolph Daniels-Kolin says that the shop stocks more than 100 cheeses and there are plans to add even more. But humankind cannot live on cheese alone, though some of us may try. The store also offers all the necessary treats to create a stunning charcuterie board including salumi, jams, local honey and crackers. There is also a selection of wine to pair with the meats and cheese.

Daniels-Kolin and his crew have also begun creating pre-designed boards and now have six on offer, from a truffle-centric option to a board curated for blue cheese aficionados. For Daniels-Kolin, the shop is a dream come true and he wants to share his joy. He said, “The beautiful thing is everyone that comes by leaves with a smile on their face.”

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