From donuts and empanadas to famous NYC bagels, check out six dining updates across the Greater Houston area, as reported by Community Impact.
Impacts of the week
Donut Block & Cafe now open in Spring
Donut Block & Cafe held its soft opening in mid-September and is now serving the Spring area, per the business’s Facebook Page.
The details
Donut Block & Cafe offers a variety of donut flavors, coffee, croissant sandwiches and kolaches, according to the business’s Facebook page. The shop is open seven days a week from 4:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
La Placita now serving Bolivian-inspired cuisine in Sugar Land
La Placita, a family-run halal Bolivian cafe, opened its doors in Sugar Land over the summer, owner Susan Barrientos said.
On the menu
The cafe’s signature drink is the humita latte—made with corn milk, cinnamon syrup and salted cold foam—meant to mimic the Bolivian corn-based dessert, Barrientos said.
Other popular items include empanadas and salteñas, a type of baked Bolivian empanada. La Placita also offers marraquetas and cherimoya matcha, per its Instagram.
La Placita opened in July in Sugar Land and serves salteñas, empanadas, and various drinks. Courtesy La Placita
Casa Nueva Mexican Grill and Bar now open in Spring
Casa Nueva Mexican Grill and Bar officials said the eatery soft-opened a new location in Spring on Sept. 16.
The details
Casa Nueva Mexican Grill and Bar offers a variety of Mexican dishes from nacho plates and fajita plates to enchiladas and seafood dishes. The eatery also boasts a full bar, specialty cocktails, margaritas and beer.
Casa Nueva Mexican Grill and Bar now open in Spring. Courtesy Casa Nueva Mexican Grill and Ba
Nikubol opens 2nd Greater Houston location in Katy Asian Town
Fast-casual Japanese restaurant Nikubol has opened its second Greater Houston location in Katy Asian Town, restaurant representatives confirmed.
What’s on the menu?
The eatery specializes in customizable Japanese-inspired bowls in which customers can choose a base of rice, salad or udon before picking a protein such as chicken, beef or pork, according to its website. Bowls are finished with fresh toppings and signature sauces.
Dining Spotlight
The Rusty Buckle to debut new restaurant in New Caney following 2023 fire
Nearly three years after a Thanksgiving Day fire destroyed most of the restaurant’s cooking areas, The Rusty Buckle Craft BBQ and Texas Cuisine is set to debut a new space in New Caney on Sept. 25, according to a Sept. 23 news release from the East Montgomery County Improvement District.
The backstory
Originally opened in 2018, The Rusty Buckle is owned by New Caney native Allen Rhoden.
Located behind its original site, the new restaurant will open with expanded seating, food options and live music. Per the release, work has been underway on the new building since December.
In addition to barbecue, the eatery will offer burgers, country fried steaks, fish tacos, nachos and steaks, according to information on The Rusty Buckle’s Facebook page. The new venue features indoor seating for up to 125 guests plus an outdoor patio.
Quote of note
“I’m looking forward to being open,” Rhoden said in a statement. “I just want to hear that bell on the door ring as our customers come in to eat and cut whatever meats we have ready for that day.”
The Rusty Buckle Craft BBQ and Texas Cuisine is set to reopen in New Caney on Sept. 25.Courtesy East Montgomery County Improvement District
Famous NYC-based bagel company H&H Bagels opens in Houston
H&H Bagels, one of New York City’s most famous bagel brands, has opened its first Texas location in River Oaks.
The Houston franchise is owned by Noman Khan, a native New Yorker who has lived in Houston for more than a decade.
What’s special about it?
H&H Bagels, which has a reputation for being the “quintessential New York City bagel,” has made appearances in shows including “Seinfeld,” “Sex and the City” and “The Office.”
The bagel shop was founded in 1972 on the Upper West Side of Manhattan and now has seven locations in NYC, as well as franchises in Illinois, Florida, California, Washington, D.C., Tennessee and North Carolina. The River Oaks location is the first franchise to open in Texas.
Respecting the craft
The H&H Bagels website states the business has maintained its original recipe for over 50 years. Its bagels are proofed—letting the yeast dough rest and rise long enough to become light and puffy—kettle-boiled, then oven-baked. Bagels are baked on-site all day.
The menu will feature the company’s signature items, including the classic bacon, egg and cheese and the Nova salmon with “the works.” The shop will also offer its cream cheese spreads in flavors such as scallion, veggie and strawberry.
AloJapan.com