Peli Peli, the Houston-based South African fusion restaurant, launched its first North Houston location Sept. 3 at The Woodlands Mall. Located at 1201 Lake Woodlands Drive, Ste. 304, The Woodlands, Peli Peli's 6,822-square-foot space was recently redesigned in the Cape Dutch architectural style, and now features 215 seats for indoor and outdoor dining, a private event room and a full-service bar.

"We’ve wanted to open in The Woodlands for a long time," Peli Peli Chief Marketing Officer Thomas Nguyen said in a Sept. 3 statement. "It’s a dream scenario that we’ve found a location that will have everything we’ve always wanted in one space—a private dining room, beautiful patio and bar—all in a community similar to that of Vintage Park, where we got our start and have developed lasting relationships."

Peli Peli—a Portuguese name for South Africa's bird's-eye chili pepper—opened its first eatery in Vintage Park in 2009, and has since added restaurant locations at the Galleria in Houston and LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch in Katy, as well as a fast-casual kitchen off I-10 in Katy. Peli Peli in The Woodlands will serve lunch and dinner daily along with weekend brunch and weekday happy hours. 281-257-9500. www.pelipeli.com