Toga, from the Neo and Kira team, brings charcoal-grilled yakitori and a highball-focused bar to Arrive River Oaks on April 21. Expect small plates and a 12-cut chicken program.

Mimi Garden opened a Spring outpost at 202 Sawdust Road, bringing its signature dumplings to the neighborhood and adding Peking duck and rotating specials.

Iza Robata has opened a Humble location, bringing ramen, poke and boba to The Groves. The chain celebrated a Jan. 16 opening and early reviews praise the ramen.

Dum N Grill soft-opened in Pearland last week with a halal-based menu of biryanis, kebabs and Irani chai. The new spot adds more South Asian choices to the suburb.

McCormick & Schmick's quietly closed its Town & Country Village location after 16 years; the company says it sold the lease and is relocating staff to nearby sister restaurants.

Houston earned multiple nods on the James Beard Awards finalist list announced March 31, from Hugo Ortega’s group to promising newcomers.

Be More Pacific, a Heights staple known for its spicy coconut-curry fried rice and karaoke rooms, closed after final service on March 29. Owners posted a farewell calling it "14 unforgettable years."

Mean Grille, a Richmond Avenue Mediterranean spot, closed Monday after about two years. Owner Onur Palamut posted a social-media farewell and cited weak small‑business support.

Cedar Park‑born Smokey Mo’s says it will open about 30–40 restaurants across Greater Houston in a multi‑year push. The chain currently has a single Houston‑area outlet in Conroe.

City inspectors closed Northside bar Rabbit's Got The Gun after finding it lacked food permits; owners say they’ll move events and keep the free-crawfish tradition alive.

Texas Roadhouse is hiring about 250 workers for a new Cypress restaurant on West Road. Interviews run most days and applications are available on the company's careers site.

An all-you-can-eat wagyu restaurant called Wagyu House is coming to the Houston Galleria, promising tiered wagyu menus and tabletop grilling. No official opening date has been announced.

The Barker Cypress Taco Casa that many Houstonians counted as the city's only outpost appears closed; fans and listing pages are giving mixed signals about a reopening.