Healthier Schlotzsky's Eyes Area Growth

IN THE NEWS: Houston Business Journal reviews Bamboo House (540 Waugh Drive,www.bamboo-house.org). ... The Journal also reports that just three years after filing for bankruptcy and closing many of its local stores, Schlotzsky's Ltd. is ready to take a bigger bite of Houston. The sandwich restaurant chain is planning to open 12 new local restaurants over the next five years. The Houston expansion is part of an aggressive national growth strategy that calls for Atlanta-based Schlotzsky's to open 50 new restaurants a year. ... A $25 million expansion of Town & Country Village will bring two new upscale eateries to west Houston for the first time -- Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar and McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurant, the Journal reports. ... The Journal also reports that local restaurateur Michael Cordúa is teaming up with the Hobby Center to form an entertainment company that will bring Grammy-winning Peruvian singer Gianmarco to Houston. The project is the outcome of a long-standing alliance between the Hobby Center and Cordúa Restaurants, which operates restaurant Artista, located in the Hobby Center. ... The Houston Press' Robb Walsh reviews Red Basil Thai Fusion Cuisine on Westheimer, while Paul Galvani notes Myles J (4304 Westheimer). houstonpress.com ... The Chronicle's Alison Cook reviews Teotihuacan Mexican Cafe (1511 Airline) and Seco's Latin Cuisine (2536 Nottingham). chron.com ... From blogger Food In Houston: "REEF is the most exciting restaurant to open in Houston within the past year." foodinhouston.blogspot.com

Compiled by Pat Embry, WhereTheLocalsEat.com

Reviewer Visits Sandy's Produce Market

IN THE NEWS: The Houston Press' Robb Walsh reviews Sandy's Produce Market (12171 Katy Freeway), while Paul Galvani notes Kuala Lumpur (7818 Bellaire). houstonpress.com ... The Chronicle's Alison Cook reviews Seco's Latin Cuisine (2536 Nottingham) and Dhakshin Indian Cuisine (19752 Texas 249), and blogs about a recent visit to what she says may be the best restaurant in Texas, York Street restaurant in Dallas. chron.com

Compiled by Pat Embry, WhereTheLocalsEat.com

'Bon Appetit' Features The Inn at Dos Brisas

The August 2007 Bon Appetit magazine's Top Tables feature includes: Seattle's Brasa (2107 Third Avenue, brasa.com); Boulder, Co.'s The Kitchen (1039 Pearl St., thekitchencafe.com); Brenham, Texas' The Inn at Dos Brisas (9400 Champion Drive, dosbrisas.com); Kansas City's Bluestem (900 Westport Road, bluestemkc.com); Chicago's Crust (2056 W. Division St.); Atlanta's The Farmhouse (10950 Hutcheson Ferry Road, Palmetto, serenbe.com); and San Francisco's PlumpJack Cafe (3127 Fillmore St., plumpjack.com). epicurious.com/bonappetit

IN THE NEWS: The Houston Business Journal profiles the Irish pub chain The Firkin & Phoenix, which opened about the first of the year at Westheimer-at-McDuffie in space previously occupied by a parade of restaurants. The chain of British-style pubs created in 1987 by a Canadian outfit has 33 franchise outlets in Canada and eight in America. Plans call for developing 120 more -- including seven in the Houston area. ... The Austin Business Journal reports that Carmelo Mauro of Carmelo's Italian Restaurant in Austin and Houston has been elected the new president of the Austin-based Texas Restaurant Association. ... Houston Press' Robb Walsh reviews Nirvana Indian Restaurant (14543 Memorial Drive), while Paul Galvani stops by Amedeo's Italian Restaurant & Bar (22704 Loop 494, Kingwood). houstonpress.com ... The Chronicle's Alison Cook reviews Dhakshin Indian Cuisine (19752 Texas 249) and China Sichuan Cuisine (3758 S.Gessner). chron.com

Compiled by Pat Embry, WhereTheLocalsEat.com

Dessert Gallery Expands to Sugar Land

IN THE NEWS: The Dessert Gallery Bakery & Cafe has opened its doors in Sugar Land. Located at 2260 Lone Star Drive in Sugar Land Town Square, it is the first Dessert Gallery store outside of the Houston city limits and the third in the Houston area, the Houston Business Journal reports. ... The Chronicle's Mary Vuong reports that even though he's working at Krafts'men Baking, chef Scott Tycer misses running his own kitchen. ... Alison Cook reviews China Sichuan Cuisine (3758 S.Gessner). chron.com ... The Houston Press' Robb Walsh reviews T-Bone Tom's Steakhouse Restaurant (707 Highway 146 in Kemah), while Paul Galvani considers Alfreda's Cafeteria (5101 Almeda). houstonpress.com

Compiled by Pat Embry, WhereTheLocalsEat.com

Rudy's Bar-B-Q Eyes Houston Location

IN THE NEWS: Rudy's Country Store & Bar-B-Q has long been a Texas Hill Country mecca for barbecue buffs. Houstonians who have made the pilgrimage to Austin and San Antonio for a fix of Rudy's ribs could soon have a shorter trip, the Houston Business Journal reports. The company's Web site proclaims a new restaurant is "Coming Soon" to Interstate 45 North in the town of Spring. Rudy's has served as a popular pit stop since it was founded in 1989 in the small community of Leon Springs. ... The Journal also reviews North China Restaurant. houston.bizjournals.com ... In Cleverley's Newsletter, Cleverley visits Reef, and reports that Corleone opens and Marini's to open a second location of their legendary empanada house. cleverleysnewsletter.com ... Houston Press' Robb Walsh reviews La Fiesta Mexican Restaurant, while Paul Galvani stops by Picazo Restaurant (1421 Preston) and Jason Kerr visits Shiloh Club (1321 Studewood St.) houstonpress.com ... The Chronicle's Alison Cook reviews China Sichuan Cuisine (3758 S.Gessner) and chef Jared Estes' Vin (530 Texas, in Bayou Place), chron.com ... Food In Houston foodinhouston.blogspot.com samples the soul food at Alfreda's Cafeteria.

Compiled by Pat Embry, WhereTheLocalsEat.com