6 Exciting Updates To Houston's Restaurant Scene This Summer

Featuring one of the region’s largest raw bars, Loch Bar (4444 Westheimer Road, 713.904.1310, lochbar.com) will soon settle in River Oaks District as sidekick to Ouzo Bay from Baltimore’s Atlas Restaurant Group. The upscale seafood tavern will offer oyster varieties from coast to coast, Maryland crabcakes and meatier entrees (bone-in pork chops with braised kale, pommes Anna and pork au jus sauce, pepper-encrusted ribeye, whole lobster) along with an extensive roster of whiskeys. … Houston will gain a star this September when celebrity chef Chris Cosentino opens Rosalie Italian Soul (400 Dallas St., cbaldwinhotel.com) in the new multimillion-dollar C. Baldwin Hotel downtown. The concept is old-school Italian, with a nod to his grandmother’s cooking, spotlighting housemade pastas and classics, including eggplant Parmesan, manicotti stuffed with blue crab, and Gulf shrimp fra diavolo fired in a wood oven. Designed by ROHE Creative, the restaurant will sport a chic midcentury Italian ambiance. Cosentino was a winner of Top Chef Masters and is co-owner of San Francisco’s Cockscomb, Portland’s Jackrabbit and Napa Valley’s Acacia House. … Healthcentric Sweetgreen is finally opening up shop in Rice Village and Montrose (1303 Westheimer Road; 2551 Amhurst St., sweetgreen.‌com). The same ethos as its D.C. original—sustainability, scratch-cooking and local sourcing—applies. Expect robust spicy Thai and hummus tahini salads, signature bowls such as chicken pesto Parm and shroomami bowls, and make-your-own bowls brimming with protein options and nutritious greens. … Julep (1919 Washington Ave., 713.869.4383, julephouston.com) is celebrating its fifth anniversary this August. The nationally acclaimed bar owned by cocktail superstar Alba Huerta has been named one of the best bars in Houston, and the U.S. by Esquire and Bon Appétit. … The Tuck Room (4444 Westheimer Road, 832.709.2146, thetuckroom.com) in River Oaks District has rolled out new dishes for the season. Look for a new keto-friendly menu in some locations and a happy hour with dishes like ahi tuna poke with edamame and macadamia nut crunch; the avocado with shallot mousse and finger lime pearls; and Gochujang glazed sticky ribs. Signature cocktails include the Norma Jeane, Tuck Mule and more. … Mastrantos (927 Studewood St., Ste. 100, 346.202.7392, mastrantosintheheights.com) recently bowed in the Heights by husband-and-wife Mari and Xavier Godoy. The intimate cafe features globally inspired fare by executive chef Tony Castillo (formerly with Tiny Boxwoods) like Venezuelan arepas, pastas, pozole verde, seafood crudos and sinful desserts.Featuring one of the region’s largest raw bars, Loch Bar (4444 Westheimer Road, 713.904.1310, lochbar.com) will soon settle in River Oaks District as sidekick to Ouzo Bay from Baltimore’s Atlas Restaurant Group. The upscale seafood tavern will offer oyster varieties from coast to coast, Maryland crabcakes and meatier entrees (bone-in pork chops with braised kale, pommes Anna and pork au jus sauce, pepper-encrusted ribeye, whole lobster) along with an extensive roster of whiskeys. … Houston will gain a star this September when celebrity chef Chris Cosentino opens Rosalie Italian Soul (400 Dallas St., cbaldwinhotel.com) in the new multimillion-dollar C. Baldwin Hotel downtown. The concept is old-school Italian, with a nod to his grandmother’s cooking, spotlighting housemade pastas and classics, including eggplant Parmesan, manicotti stuffed with blue crab, and Gulf shrimp fra diavolo fired in a wood oven. Designed by ROHE Creative, the restaurant will sport a chic midcentury Italian ambiance. Cosentino was a winner of Top Chef Masters and is co-owner of San Francisco’s Cockscomb, Portland’s Jackrabbit and Napa Valley’s Acacia House. … Healthcentric Sweetgreen is finally opening up shop in Rice Village and Montrose (1303 Westheimer Road; 2551 Amhurst St., sweetgreen.‌com). The same ethos as its D.C. original—sustainability, scratch-cooking and local sourcing—applies. Expect robust spicy Thai and hummus tahini salads, signature bowls such as chicken pesto Parm and shroomami bowls, and make-your-own bowls brimming with protein options and nutritious greens. … Julep (1919 Washington Ave., 713.869.4383, julephouston.com) is celebrating its fifth anniversary this August. The nationally acclaimed bar owned by cocktail superstar Alba Huerta has been named one of the best bars in Houston, and the U.S. by Esquire and Bon Appétit. … The Tuck Room (4444 Westheimer Road, 832.709.2146, thetuckroom.com) in River Oaks District has rolled out new dishes for the season. Look for a new keto-friendly menu in some locations and a happy hour with dishes like ahi tuna poke with edamame and macadamia nut crunch; the avocado with shallot mousse and finger lime pearls; and Gochujang glazed sticky ribs. Signature cocktails include the Norma Jeane, Tuck Mule and more. … Mastrantos (927 Studewood St., Ste. 100, 346.202.7392, mastrantosintheheights.com) recently bowed in the Heights by husband-and-wife Mari and Xavier Godoy. The intimate cafe features globally inspired fare by executive chef Tony Castillo (formerly with Tiny Boxwoods) like Venezuelan arepas, pastas, pozole verde, seafood crudos and sinful desserts.