Critics Rate Brasserie Max, Monarch

IN THE NEWS: The Houston Press' Robb Walsh reviews Brasserie Max and Julie (4315 Montrose Blvd., 713-524-0070), Paul Galvani notes Fernando's Latin American Cuisine (14135 SW Fwy., 281-494-9087). houstonpress.com ... The Chronicle's Alison Cook reviews Monarch Restaurant in Hotel ZaZa (5701 Main, 713-526-1991, www.hotelzaza.com) and J's Bistro (4502 Highway 6 North, 281-861-9940), as well as blogging about a visit to Stafford's Tornado Burger. chron.com ... Blogger Food In Houston raves about Bluefin, a Japanese fusion restaurant on Westheimer in far west Houston, and also visits Da Marco. foodinhouston.blogspot.com

Compiled by Pat Embry, WhereTheLocalsEat.com

Triola's Azzarelli's Plans Another Location

IN THE NEWS: The Houston Business Journal features Rainbow Lodge, which moved in late 2006 to a 100-year-old log cabin on a creek off White Oak Bayou (2011 Ella Blvd.) that formerly housed the French restaurant, La Tour d'Argent. ... The Journal also reports that Frank Triola, owner of Azzarelli's, is planning to open a second full-service location of his Italian-American restaurant on Nov. 1. The new location at 22764 Westheimer Parkway in Katy will be larger than the original and will offer a full bar and serve as a target market for Triola's take-away business. houston.bizjournals.com ... ... The Houston Press' Robb Walsh reviews Tofu Village (9889 Bellaire Blvd., 713-777-9889), while Paul Galvani notes Segari's (1503 Shepherd, 713-880-2470). houstonpress.com ... The Houston Chronicle's Alison Cook reviews J's Bistro (4502 Highway 6 North, 281-861-9940) and the brunch at Catalan Food & Wine (5555 Washington, 713-426-4260), and also takes a first look at Alison Cook takes a first look at Rafael Galindo's new Red Onion Taco Cantina. chron.com ... FoodInHouston.com considers Pan-Asian bistros. ... Zagat Buzz reports that to celebrate its 20th anniversary, the James Beard Foundation is hosting a series of food festivals and special dinners in 20 cities nationwide. The events kick off on September 18th in New York with a lavish menu inspired by Beard at Four Seasons. The celebrations continue the next week with elaborate dinners cooked by first-rate toques in Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Portland, San Francisco, Seattle, Short Hills, NJ and Washington, DC. All of the events are unique, with different chef lineups and dining formats ranging from gala dinners to walk-around tastings, so check the individual city pages for details. Though prices for the dinners vary, all of them will be followed up on September 29th with special events at local Williams-Sonoma stores where chefs will be offering cooking demos, book signings, specialty food tastings and kids' educational activities free of charge. For more information about the event, logon to www.jbftasteamerica.com. zagat.com

Compiled by Pat Embry, WhereTheLocalsEat.com

Restaurants Cope With New Smoking Ban

IN THE NEWS: Cleverley's newsletter and blog report that Monica Pope and Andrea Lazar are opening a new venue in late September-early October called Beaver's at 2310 Decatur, Houston. (www.BeaversHouston.com) and also reports how some restaurants are accommodating patrons as the smoking ban in Houston's restaurants and bars took effect on Sept. 1. cleverleysnewsletter.com ... Kansas-based Houlihan's restaurant chain has again abandoned the Houston market, closing its only area location at 2800 Sage Road, which is being replaced by Maggie Rita's Bar & Grill, a new upscale Mexican food concept, the Houston Business Journal reports. ... The Journal also reports that Boudreaux's Cajun Kitchen will expand out of the Houston market for the first time with plans to open two company-owned locations in the Dallas market in 2008. The first unit will open in Richardson in June and the second will open in the Arlington Highlands shopping center by the end of the year. houston.bizjournals.com ... The Houston Press' Robb Walsh reviews Reef (2600 Travis, 713 526-8282, reefhouston.com), while Paul Galvani considers the oysters T-Beax at T-Beaux (5050 N. Highway 6, 281-345-4478). houstonpress.com ... The Houston Chronicle's Alison Cook also reviews Reef, as well as comparing the Sunday brunches at Catalan Food & Wine (5555 Washington, 713-426-4260) and Indika (516 Westheimer, 713-984-1725). ... Cook also blogs about the opening of a second location for The Original Marini's Empanada House (in the Carillon shopping center at 10001 Westheimer) chron.com ... H Texas magazine reviews Cafe Red Onion (3910 Kirby, 713-807-1122) and Piatto Ristorante (4925 W. Alabama; 11693 Westheimer. 713-871-9722, www.caferedonion.com). htexas.com ... Food in Houston considers Istanbul Grill, and Pasha. foodinhouston.blogspot.com

Compiled by Pat Embry, WhereTheLocalsEat.com

Longstanding Mykonos Island Closes

IN THE NEWS: The Houston Chronicle's Dai Huynh reports on the Aug. 31 closing of 27-year-old Greek eatery Mykonos Island Restaurant on Richmond. Huynh reports that H-E-B, which controls the lease, chose not to extend it with the restaurant. ... The Chronicle's Eyder Peralta features Moo Hive Honey Ice Cream (6285 Bissonnet, 713-774-4200), while Alison Cook reviews Reef (2800 Travis, 713-526-8282, reefhouston.com) and Café Pita + (10890 Westheimer, 713-953-7237) and reports the closing of Craiganale's Little Italy. chron.com ... The Houston Business Journal features the growing restaurant developments along Washington Avenue, with chef Monica Pope, owner of T'afia restaurant in Midtown, the latest restaurateur to land there. Pope and a group of investors are planning to open a new concept called Beaver's in October at Sawyer and Washington Avenue, just south of the former Pig Stand restaurant. Benjy's, the trendy West University-area restaurant at 2424 Dunstan, is also expanding to the area with a two-story restaurant at 5922 Washington Ave. set for next June. And Rice Village-area tenant, Azuma Sushi & Robata Bar, will open an eatery on Washington Avenue in the Washington Square shopping center later this year. Meanwhile, Catalan Food & Wine Bar, Cova Hand-Selected Wines, El Tiempo Cantina, Molina's Cantina, Max's Wine Dive and Cyclone Anaya's have all recently set up shop on the busy street. ... The Journal also reports that Jenni's Noodle House has opened its second location at the corner of Shepherd and West Alabama. houston.bizjournals.com ... The Houston Press' Jason Kerry reviews Genji Japanese Restaurant and Karaoke Bar (7964 Westheimer, 713-780-0827), while Paul Galvani visits Fonda Doña Maria (120 Tidwell, 713-695-5540). houstonpress.com ... Ruggles Restaurant Group LP, a company formed in 2005 to expand the Houston-born Ruggles restaurant concept into Austin, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the Austin Business Journal reports. The bankruptcy does not include three Houston restaurants owned by Molzan Inc.: Ruggles Grill at 903 Westheimer, Ruggles Grille 5115 in the Galleria, and Ruggles Cafe & Bakery at 2365-A Rice Blvd. austin.bizjournals.com ... The third edition of the guidebook Houston Dining on the Cheap – A Guide to the Best Inexpensive Restaurants in Houston by Mike Riccetti (a Where the Locals Eat contributor) has recently been released. The third edition has been completely revised, updated and thoroughly researched to provide profiles of the best 300 inexpensive restaurants in the Houston area, plus restaurant-related asides, and helpful indices such as listings by cuisine and area. It is available in bookstores around town, selected gift stores and Amazon.com

Compiled by Pat Embry, WhereTheLocalsEat.com