An abundance of new businesses have opened or are making their way to the Heights, Washington Corridor and Montrose area, including a new Mediterranean-style restaurant on West 20th Street, Cava, and a new steakhouse by chef Don Bowie.
1. The soft opening phase is underway for Native Coffee at 1712 W. Dallas St., Houston, with a grand opening potentially taking place in late March. Paiam Alavi, who founded the business with his mother, May, and brother Pouya said the focus is on serving locally sourced coffee drinks, teas and a selection of pastries and other foods. Paiam said he hopes to add a deli counter as well as local beer and wine options in the near future. After working for 12 years in the Austin area, he said he hopes to bring the neighborhood coffee shop vibe of Austin to the Houston area. 281-561-6068. www.instagram.com/nativecoffeehtx
2. The latest dining concept by chef Don Bowie, Rare Restaurant and Lounge, is opening March 17 at 4105 Washington Ave., Houston. The steakhouse will serve U.S. Department of Agriculture prime steaks, such as a New York strip and a tomahawk, along with seafood and other Southern-inspired dishes and appetizers, according to a March 16 press release. Some menu items guests can choose from include charbroiled oysters; crispy Cajun calamari; sweet potato souffle; blanco mac and cheese topped with lobster, crab or bacon; and warm lemon pudding cake. 713-684-7129. www.instagram.com/rarehtx
3. New dance venue and nightclub Citizen is opening in mid- to late April at 5922 Washington Ave., Houston. Milkshake Concepts hospitality group opened the first location of the nightclub in Dallas in 2015. According to Milkshake’s Chief Marketing Officer Meredith Vachon, the nightclub will be made to feel like home with wallpapers, chandeliers and a service-oriented feel. Citizen is heavily focused on bottle service but has house-branded Pedialyte—Citi Water and Citilyte—to keep guests hydrated. www.citizenhtx.com
4. Austin-based eatery Clark’s Oyster Bar is coming soon to the Montrose area in late 2022. Located at 3807 Montrose Blvd., Houston, the restaurant will be MML Hospitality’s first Houston location, according to an Instagram post. The restaurant will be serving favorites from its Austin location, such as caviar, shrimp cocktail, lobster rolls, cioppino, grilled Gulf fish, gruyere-topped burgers, shoestring fries and martinis. www.mmlhospitality.com
5. Cava opened its Heights location Feb. 25 at 250 W. 20th St., Unit 400, Houston. The Mediterranean eatery allows guests to make their own bowls, salads or wraps with a base, dip or spread, protein, toppings and dressing. The restaurant also offers seasonal housemade drinks, fountain sodas and curated bottled beverages. 346-327-1527. www.cava.com
6. Family-owned restaurant and bar Doña Leti’s will be making its debut at 7340 Washington Ave., Houston, in the summer. According to an email from restaurant officials to Community Impact Newspaper, the concept will offer new menu items while also keeping the same items from its first location on South Post Oak Road, such as the birria tacos, street tacos, pupusas and burritos. The new location will also offer different hours to better serve as a fun and comfortable hangout spot for customers, officials said. 832-858-3917. www.frutasdonaleti.com
