Every month our paper shares news and updates about restaurants in Spring and Klein, including new openings and anniversaries. Here are 6 notable restaurants we featured in 2016:
  1. Ambriza Social Mexican Kitchen opened at 10115 Louetta Road, Houston, in October, featuring tapas-style sharable dishes and a daily happy hour. The restaurant focuses on authentic Mexican dishes, and includes fajitas, burgers, tacos, enchiladas and quesadillas. 281-205-1240 www.ambriza.com
  2. The owners of Banh Mi Houston left the insurance industry to open the restaurant at 3835 FM 2920, Spring in December 2015, serving a variety of Vietnamese sandwiches, consisting of grilled meat, cucumber, mayonnaise, cilantro and other vegetables such as pickled carrots. 281-651-2263. www.banhmihouston.com
  3. Oooh La La Elite Cupcakes, located at 5203 FM 1960 W., Houston, initially offered cupcakes and cake pops for purchase individually and for group orders and events and expanded its services to include custom cakes and wedding cakes this year. 281-781-7437. www.ooohlalaelitecupcakes.com
  4. Martini Blu opened in January at 5060 FM 1960 W., Houston. This live jazz and dinner club opened in January. The dinner menu features American cuisine, including salads, chicken, seafood, steak and desserts. It features an all-you-can-eat lunch buffet on Sundays. 832-965-5580. www.martiniblu1.com
  5. We reported in January that Pasta e Pesto opened at 1640 FM 1960, Ste. 1678, Houston. The family-owned and -operated Italian restaurant provides catering and delivery services as well as refrigerated items that customers can cook at home. The menu includes antipasto, salads, panini and Italian pasta entrees. 281-580-7797. www.pastaepestotx.com
  6. Ellen’s Cafe celebrated its first year under the ownership of Jessica and Matthew Lynn in May at 307 Gentry St., Spring. It offers American cuisine including soups, salads, five kinds of quiche and 21 kinds of fudge. 281-353-9229. www.facebook.com/ellenscafe