I arrived uncharacteristically fifteen minutes early for dinner yesterday with my family at Palinuro, an Italian restaurant my brother and sister-in-law like near their house in Cinco Ranch, and so had ample time to peruse the short, simple wine list. Looking for a glass then I thought a bottle of white wine to start, as it was hot outside and we were six adults, I did a double-take when I saw Pieropan La Rocca for just $65 in the two-page booklet that was filled with mostly uninteresting choices. This Soave is a terrific wine and consistently one of Italy’s most acclaimed whites.
 
Made with entirely with Garganega grown in a single vineyard with clay and limestone soils, fermented in wood and aged for around fifteen months in 500-liter tonneaux, La Rocca offers a different, more deeply flavored expression of Soave. These are serious wines.
 
Though not indicated on the list, it turned out to be the 2021 vintage, which James Suckling gave 95 points. It was delicious. A bit of fruit on the nose and a taste that was easy and savory and very long-lasting, with a mouth-filling body. The wine worked well before dinner and throughout, especially with my very enjoyable, sturdy house-made ravioli filled with lobster and served in a light tomato, cream and crab sauce. We went through three bottles of La Rocca by the end of the meal.
 
Certainly a surprise to find it on Palinuro’s list – I keep my eye out for Pieropan having visited its dramatic new winery last summer – what was also unexpected was its price. You can find La Rocca at Total Wine for $38 now, which is almost ten dollars cheaper than elsewhere. Using the rule of thumb of a 200% to 300% markup over retail, most restaurants would price this from between $90 to $150, and it would certainly be fair.
 
I’ll wager that you won’t find a wine as good at any Houston restaurant as Pieropan La Rocca at Palinuro.

“Elro is a neighborhood pizzeria and crudo bar located in a bungalow house at the confluence of the Montrose and Midtown neighborhoods” proclaims its website, quite accurately. One might think at the outset that a “pizzeria and crudo bar” is an odd thing, but unpretentious Elro makes terrific sense, and it’s been a wonderful addition to the local dining scene since opening in June and that’s even before the fairly prominent patio can be of a full use during this even-more-brutal-than-usual summer.
 
This is largely because its headed Terrance Gallivan, who was one of the principals at the acclaimed Pass & Provisions once nearby – in the space now housing Bludorn – that turned out some good pizzas among its many adept preparations. The pizzas here are different than what I remember from Provisions, but superb. Better, in fact. It begins with the crust, of course, the platform for each of the individually sized pizzas. These are puffy, with a slightly raised crown at its edges and a bottom that is nicely charred even though cooked in a gas oven. The crusts are light and flavorful throughout, with a welcome fresh taste that is delicious to the last bite, something that’s not true for most pizzas. These have had the nimbleness and similar quality to a number of top-notch pizzas I had in Italy last summer, if in a different style from those.
 
The pizzas come in a choice among a half-dozen intelligent and enticing topping combinations. The minimalist Mozzarella, also with tomato sauce and basil leaves, is its version of the classic margherita that’s an easy order. The Guanciale featuring thin slices of that cured pork jowl complemented by plenty of caramelized red onions and black pepper is another star. Another one is the seemingly popular Chorizo that’s a bit of a taste of Spain, with the Spanish sausage, Mahon cheese and piquillo peppers all under a bed of bitter arugula. There’s one centered around smoked mushrooms, and another with tomatoes both sliced and sauced with Calabrian chiles. It’s tough to go wrong with any of the six options, though the Mortadella, with vinegared onions and a pistachio pesto, mozzarella and tomato sauce was wetter than it should have been on a recent visit, though still very enjoyable.
 
In a big city with a deficit of quality pizzerias, the terrific pizzas are a start and a draw for many, but this, a smart, comfy place will appeal to frequent diners even when not in the mood for pizza. The cooling crudos are mostly seafood including East Coast oysters on the half-shell and four appealing and unique combinations: tuna with pistachio and ‘nduja spice; smoked kampachi with pumpkin seeds and a Japanese flavors; snapper with pickled mangos, olives and chile peppers; and the Italian mint nepitella-cured salmon with apples and hazelnut. And also a take on steak tartare, a dish that has become more commonly seen here again.
 
The third section of the succinct main menu, Starters, have proven to be useful complements to the pizzas on many tables, a gorgeous Caesar salad, spicy cucumbers, arancini, and sausage done saltimbocca-style with prosciutto and sage. It also has the one sandwich, The Hoagie, a New York-inspired sub with the Philly name, charmingly arrives wrapped in paper, cut in half and served on a small plate. It’s mortadella, spicy hot coppa, slices of provolone and pickled vegetables, with the liquid seeping into the fresh and terrific house-made bun that’s densely topped with sesame seeds. It’s the best sandwich I’ve had in the while, and making for a near-perfect lunch the other weekday. There’s also a trio of desserts, if you’ve got room, takes on tiramisu and panna cotta along with a very fun, chocolate-shelled soft serve.
 
Near where Montrose blends into Midtown and just a block or so from Cuchara and where Fairview’s lane widen and then double in number and turn into Tuam – be careful when crossing the street from its parking lot – the small L-shaped interior with banquettes, small tables and a bar area is filled with tight spaces, but the vibe is definitely comfortable, but more. There’s a greenish hue to the place and amusing wallpaper festooned with silhouettes of jumping rabbits, swallows, turtles and butterflies amidst dangling vines. Quaint and attractive.
 
You can enjoy yourself here without even partaking in the output of its serious kitchen. There’s a full bar and an earnest cocktail program led by a slew of house creations all bearing the name of a Springsteen song. The wine program is Italian-heavy and very food friendly. Of the almost thirty wines, two dozen are Italian including a half-dozen from Piedmont, four Nebbiolos and a Sauvignon from the Collio There is even the current vintage of the usually good, Ampeleia Unlitro, a tart, Grenache-heavy blend from the Tuscan coast that pleasingly comes with a third more wine than the typical bottling. Most bottles are priced in the $50 to $60 range with nothing reaching three digits, something welcome these days. There’s also some choices of amaro if you’ve happened to eat too many slices of pizza.
 
There’s noticeable Italian subtext throughout, Italian done well. In addition to the pizzas and pastas Gallivan once created at Pass & Provisions, he worked kitchens at acclaimed Italian restaurants in Manhattan that had three stars (out of four) from The New York Times, Fiamma and Alto, following in the shoes of top chefs Scott Conant and then Michael White in heading the kitchen of the latter. The New York roots are evident, too. If you look hard, you can spot a small figurine of Don Mattingly that’s mounted in a place of honor in a case at the end of the bar.
 
Elro is an easy place to like, especially if you like good pizza, that’s bound to be even more likeable once food and drink can comfortably be consumed in its outside.
 
Elro
2405 Genesee (at Fairview), 77006
elrohtx.com

The Guanciale pizza at Elro

As someone with a keen interest in the history of Italian restaurants in this country – and history, generally – I happened to be curious yesterday about how demographics likely affected the location, density or paucity of Italian restaurants around the country after the Second World War, when dining out became more popular with a growing and more prosperous population.
 
I was quickly able to find what I was looking for with the 1950 census in a report about those who were born abroad or who had at least one parent who was foreign born. Then, there were 4.6 million American residents who listed as from Italy, then second highest country of origin, just behind Germany’s 4.7 million with the most people of “foreign white stock,” as the Bureau of Census phrased it back then.
 
Italian restaurants midcentury were where the Italians were, both those born in Italy and their offspring. These were the people then running Italian restaurants. The twenty cities with the most Italians in 1950 were:
 

• New York – 684,865
• Chicago – 116,595
• Philadelphia – 115,205
• Boston – 53,335
• Newark – 49,275
• Detroit – 43,580
• Buffalo – 36,615
• Rochester, NY – 34,555
• Providence – 34,370
• San Francisco – 32,960
• Cleveland – 32,340
• Pittsburgh – 31,635
• Los Angeles – 31,185
• Jersey City – 27,950
• New Haven – 26,290
• Baltimore – 16,795
• Waterbury, CT – 16,090
• Syracuse – 15,650
• New Orleans – 15,340
• Hartford, CT – 14,570

 
This might not be too surprising, but I found it interesting. These are the cities that have among the deepest Italian-rooted dining traditions.

Charles Ruggiero, clerk in a grocery store in New York's Italian section, wishes the handful of spaghetti he is breaking were Mussolini's neck. July 1942; Library of Congress

Since today, August 21, would have been the 71st birthday of Joe Strummer, the legendary frontman for The Clash, I thought it would be appropriate to post a passage from the terrific, infectious "Bhindi Bhagee" by Strummer and his band the Mescaleros from 2001, about eating in London’s eclectic, ethnic neighborhoods, which is easily relatable to our at-least-as-diverse and also very vibrant dining landscape:
 
Well, I was walking down the highroad,
And this guy stops me,
He’d just got in from New Zealand,
And he was looking for mushy peas
I said, “no, we hadn’t really got them ‘round here
I said, but we do got…
Balti, Bhindi, strictly Hindi,
Dal, halal, and I’m walking down the road,
We got rocksoul, okra, Bombay duck-ra,
Shrimp bean sprout, comes with or without,
Bagels soft, or simply harder,
Exotic avocado or toxic empanada,
We got ackee, lassi, Somali waccy baccy,
I’m sure back home you know what tikka’s all about…
Welcome stranger…to the humble neighborhoods,
You can get inspiration on the highroad,
Hommus, cous cous, in the jus of octopus,
Pastrami and salami and lasagne on the go,
Welcome stranger, there’s no danger
Welcome to this humble neighborhood…”
 
Not that we have any highroads in Houston, nor hills, much less too many pedestrians or mushy peas on menus, though there are some New Zealanders (and an Humble).  As fun as it is to dine globally and (somewhat) affordably in and around London, I believe that we have it better here in Houston, at least for my palate; good Mexican and Tex-Mex food is a little more prevalent, for starters.
 
The lyrics are reprinted courtesy of the band’s label, Epitaph Europe, or at least it gave me permission a number of years ago when I asked to use it for the last edition of my Houston Dining on the Cheap.

As someone who dines out very frequently, maybe too frequently, and having a desire to try new places or revisit ones that I haven’t been in a while, I often have to check if a particular restaurant is open during those times when many might be closed: Saturday for lunch; Sunday for dinner; Monday lunch and Monday dinner.  So, I put together a list of Houston restaurants – notable and not – about 750 different locations in all, highlighting whether or not each is open during those times.
 
It might be useful.
 
The restaurants are listed alphabetical within each letter.
 
# – 100% Taquito,  51Fifteen
 
A – a'Bouzy,  Acme Oyster House,  Aga's,  Aiko,  Al Aseel,  Aladdin (both locations),  Alice Blue,  Al's Quick Stop (both locations),  Ambrosia,  Amore,  Andes Café (Post Market),  Andiron,  Armandos,  Artisans,  Avesta Persian Grill,  Azuma
 
B – B&B Butchers,  B.B. Lemon,  B.B. Italia,  Baguette and Tea (Montrose),  Banana Leaf,  Bari,  Barnaby's (Fountainview),  Barnaby's (Heights),  Barnaby's (Midtown),  Barnaby's (Montrose),  Barnaby's (Museum District),  Barnaby's (River Oaks),  Barnaby's (Spring Branch),  Bayou City Seafood & Pasta,  BB's (all locations),  BCN,  Becks Prime (all locations but Downtown),  Benny Chows,  Better Luck Tomorrow,  Bijan,  Birraporetti's (both locations),  Bistro Le Cep,  Black Walnut Café (all locations),  Blind Goat,   Bloom & Bee,  Bludorn,  Blue Nile,  Blue Onyx,   Boheme,  Bori,  Bosscat,  Brasil,  Brasserie 19,  Brasserie du Parc,  Brenner's (both locations),
 
C –  Cadillac Bar,  Café Express (all locations),  Café Lili,  Café Piquet,  Cali,  Candente,  Cantina Barba,  Capital Grille (both locations),  Carrabba's (Kirby),  Carrabba's (Voss),  Chama Gaucha,  Chavez,  ChopnBlok (Post Market),  Christian's Tailgate (all locations),  Churrascos (all locations),  Chuy's (all locations)  Ciro's,  Coltivare,  Common Bond (19th Street),  Common Bond (Dunlavy),  Cooking Girl (all locations),  Coppa,  Craft Pita (both locations),  Crawfish & Noodles (Chinatown),  Crisp,  Cultivated
 
D – Da Gama,  Dak & Bop,   D'Amico's,  Darband Shihkabob,  Davanti,  Del Frisco's,  Diana Grill,   Dimassi's Mediterranean Buffet,  Dish Society (Heights),  Dish Society (Katy),  Dish Society (Memorial),  Doris Metropolitan,  Duck N Bao (both locations)
 
E – East Side King (Post Market),  Eddie V's (both locations),  Eight Row Flint (both locations),  El Big Bad,  El Charro Bar & Grill,  El Meson,  El Patio,  El Rey (all locations),  El Tiempo (all locations),  Eloise Nichols,  Ember & Greens,  Empire Café,  Empire Turkish Grill,  Escalante's (all locations),  Etoile,  Eugene's,  Eunice
 
F – Fadi's (all locations),  Fat Bao,  Federal Grill (all locations),  Fields & Tides,  Figo Sugo (Bravery Chef Hall),  Fiore,  Fleming's (all locations),  Flora,  FM Kitchen,  Fogo de Chau,  Fratelli's,  Fuad's,  Fufu Café
 
G – Gen Korean BBQ (both locations),  Georgia James,  Golfstrømmen (Post Market),  Good Dog,  Goode Co. BBQ (all locations),  Goode Co. Cantina (all locations),  Goode Co. Seafood (both locations),  Goode Co. Taqueria,  Gorditas Aguascalientes (both locations),  Govinda's,  Grace's,  Graffiti Raw,  Grimaldi's (all locations),  Grotto (both locations),  Guadalajara (all locations),  Gus's Famous Fried Chicken (both locations)
 
H – Hai Cang Harbor,  Handie's Douzo (both locations),  Hando,  Harold's in the Heights,  Hawker Street Food (Post Market),  Hearsay (all locations),  Hem,  Henderson & Kane,  Hillstone,  Hobbit Café,  Home Slice Pizza,  Hughie's (both locations),  Hu's Cooking,  Huynh
 
I – India's,  Irma's Southwest
 
J – Jasmine,  Joey Uptown,  Jonathan's The Rub (both locations,  Josephine's,  Jun
 
K – Karbach Brewing and Restaurant,  Karne,  Kasra,  Kata Robata,  Katz's (all locations),  Kenny & Ziggy's,  Killen's STQ,  Kim Son (all locations),  Kokoro (Bravery Chef Hall),  Kuu
 
L – La Calle (both locations),  La Fisheria,  La Griglia,  La Hacienda (both locations),  La Lucha,  La Mexicana,  Lao Sze Chuan (both locations),  Laurenzo's,  Le Colonial,  Le Jardinier,  Lea Jane's Hot Chicken (Post Market),  Lee's Sandwiches,  Liberty Kitchen (both locations),  Local Foods (all locations),  Loch Bar,  Lopez (both locations),  Loro,  Lost & Found,  Low Tide,  Lulu's,  Luna Pizza (all locations),  Lupe Tortilla (all locations),  Lynn's Steakhouse
 
M – MAD,  Maderas,  Maine-ly Sandwiches,  Mai's,  Mala Sichuan (all locations),  Mama's Kitchen,  argaux's Oyster Bar (Bravery Chef Hall),  Marmo,  Mary'z (both locations),  Masraff's,  Mastro's,  McCormick & Schmick's (all locations),  McGonigel's Mucky Duck,  Melange Creperie,  Mia's Table (all locations),  Molina's (all locations),  Money Cat,  Morton's (both locations),  Mucho Mexico,  Musafeer
 
N – Navy Blue,  Niko Niko's (all locations),  Ninfa's (both locations),  Nirvana,  Nobu,  North Italia
 
O – Oceanaire,  Oheya,  Oishii,  On the Kirb (all locations),  Oporto,  Osso & Kristalla,  Ouisie's Table
 
P – Palazzo's (both locations),  Pappa Geno's (all locations),  Pappadeaux (all locations),  Pappas Bros. Steakhouse (both locations),  Pappas Burgers,  Pappasito's (all locations),  Pastore,  Peaky Grinders,  Peking Cuisine,  Peking Impression,  Pepper Twins (all locations),  Perry's (all locations),  Phat Eatery,  Pho Binh (Galleria),  Pho Binh (Heights),  Pho Diem,  Piola (both locations),  Pizzitola's,  Ploughman's Deli & Café,  Pondicheri,  Porta'Vino (Washington),  Post Oak Grill (Galleria),  Potente,  Prego
 
R – RA Sushi (both locations),  Ragin' Cajun (both locations),  Ramen Tatsu-ya,  Red Lion,  Relish,  Reza Persian Grill,  Riel,  Rim Tanon,  Roma,  Romano's Pizza,  Roost,  Roostar (all locations),  Rosalie, Rudyard's,  Ruggles Black,  Ruth's Chris
 
S – Saint Arnold Beer Garden & Restaurant, Sal y Pimienta, Saldivia's, Saltillo, Sao Lao Thai Café, Seco's Latin Cuisine,  Segari's,  Seoul Garden,  Shake Shack (all locations),  Shandy's,  Shawarma King,  Sinh Sinh,  Soma,  Songkran,  Soto,  Soto's Cantina (both locations),  Southern Yankee Crafthouse,  Southwell's (all locations),  Spanish Flowers (all locations),  State Fare,  State of Grace,  Steak 48,  Street to Kitchen Thai,  Superica,  Sushi by Hidden,  Sylvia's Enchilada Kitchen (both locations)
 
T – Taco Fuego (all locations),  Tacodeli,  Tacos A Go Go (all locations but Downtown),  Tacos del Julio (both locations),  Tan Tan,  Taqueria Arandas (all locations),  Taqueria Cancun,  Taste of Nigeria,  Taste of Texas,  Thai Kun (Post Market),  The Annie,  The Burger Joint (all locations),  The Grove,  The Halal Guys (all locations),  The Lemon Tree,  The Nash,  The Palm,  The Pit Room,  The Rice Box (all but Greenway Plaza),  The Taco Stand,  The Union Kitchen (all but Garden Oaks),  The Warwick,  Theodore Rex,  Thirteen,  Tim Ho Wan,  Tonight & Tomorrow,  Torchy's Tacos (all locations),  Toro Toro,  Toulouse,  Trattoria Sofia,  Traveler's Table,  Tres Tacos,  Trill Burgers,  Truluck's
 
U – Uberrito (all locations),  Uchi,  Uchiko,  Urbe
 
V – Velvet Taco (all locations),   Verde Garden,  Vic & Anthony's,  Vieng Thai,  Vietopia
 
W – Wanna Bao,  Willie G's,  Winnie's
 
Y – Yi Peng
 
Z – Zanti,  Zutro

A dramatic dish at BCN

This is the third of four.  As someone who dines out very frequently, maybe too frequently, and having a desire to try new places or revisit ones that I haven’t been in a while, I often have to check if a particular restaurant is open during those times when many might be closed: Saturday for lunch; Sunday for dinner; or Monday for either lunch and dinner.  So, I put together a list of Houston restaurants, about 750 different locations in all, highlighting whether or not each is open during those times. 
 
I thought that this might be of interest to others and posted this – the spreadsheet I created didn’t work with my simple website – with the last one coming soon.
 
The restaurants are listed alphabetical within each letter.
 
# – 100% Taquito,  51Fifteen,  7Taco
 
A – a'Bouzy,  Acme Oyster House, Aga's,  Al Aseel,  Aladdin (both locations),  Alice Blue,  Al's Quick Stop (both locations),  Amore,  Andes Café (Post Market),  Angelo'z,  Anonymous Café,  Artisans,  Avalon Diner (Memorial),  Avalon Diner (River Oaks),  Avalon Diner (Stafford),  Avesta Persian Grill,  Azuma
 
B – B&B Butchers,  B.B. Lemon,  B.B. Italia,  Baguette and Tea (both locations), Banana Leaf,  Bari,  Barnaby's (all locations),  Bayou City Seafood & Pasta,  BB's (all locations),  Becks Prime  (all locations),  Benny Chows,  Better Luck Tomorrow,  Bijan,  Birraporetti's (both locations),  Bistro Le Cep,  Black Walnut Café (all locations),  Bloom & Bee,  Blue Nile,  Blue Onyx,  Bori,  Bosscat,  Brasil,  Brasserie 19,  Brasserie du Parc,  Brown Bag Deli (all locations)
 
C – Cadillac Bar,  Café Express (all locations),  Café Leonelli (Glassell School),  Café Lili,  Café Piquet,  Cali,  Candente,  Cantina Barba,  Capital Grille (CityCentre),  Carrabba's (Kirby),  Carrabba's (Voss),  Chama Gaucha,  Champ Burger,  Chavez,  ChopnBlok (Post Market),  Christian's Tailgate (all locations),  Churrascos (all locations),  Chuy's (all locations),  Ciro's,  Common Bond (all locations),  Cooking Girl (all locations),  Coppa,  Craft Pita (both locations),  Crisp,  Cultivated
 
D – Da Gama,  Dak & Bop,  D'Amico's,  Dandelion Café,  Darband Shihkabob,  Davanti,  Del Frisco's,  Dimassi's Mediterranean Buffet,  Dish Society (all locations),  Don Café (both locations),  Duck N Bao (both locations)
 
E – East Side King (Post Market),  Eight Row Flint (Heights),  El Charro Bar & Grill,  El Meson,  El Patio,  El Rey (all locations),  El Tiempo (all locations),  Eloise Nichols,  Ember & Greens,  Empire Café,  Empire Turkish Grill,  Escalante's (all locations),  Etoile,  Eugene's,  Eunice
 
F – Fadi's (all locations),  Fat Bao,  Federal Grill (all locations),  Feges BBQ (Greenway Plaza),  Fields & Tides,  Figo Sugo (Bravery Chef Hall),  Flora,  FM Kitchen,  Fogo de Chau,  Fratelli's,  Fuad's,  Fufu Café
 
G – Gatlin's BBQ,  Gen Korean BBQ (both locations),  Golfstrømmen (Post Market),  Good Dog,  Goode Co. BBQ (all locations),  Goode Co. Cantina (all locations),  Goode Co. Seafood (both locations),  Goode Co. Taqueria,  Gorditas Aguascalientes (both locations),  Govinda's,  Grace's,  Graffiti Raw,  Grimaldi's (all locations),  Grotto (both locations),  Guadalajara (all locations),  Guard and Grace,  Gus's Famous Fried Chicken (both locations)
 
H – Hai Cang Harbor,  Handie's Douzo (both locations),  Hando,  Harold's in the Heights,  Hawker Street Food (Post Market),  Hearsay (all locations),  Hem,  Henderson & Kane,  Hillstone,  Hobbit Café,  Home Slice Pizza,  Hughie's (both locations),  Hull & Oak,  Hu's Cooking,  Huynh
 
I – India's,  Irma's,  Irma's Southwest
 
J – Jasmine,  Joey Uptown,  Jonathan's The Rub (both locationsm),  Josephine's
 
K – Karbach Brewing and Restaurant,  Kasra,  Kata Robata,  Katz's (all locations),  Kenny & Ziggy's,  Killen's,  Kim Son (all locations),  Kokoro (Bravery Chef Hall),  Kuu
 
L – La Calle (both locations),  La Carreta,  La Chingada,  La Fisheria,  La Griglia,  La Hacienda (both locations),  La Mexicana,  La Plaza,  Lao Sze Chuan (both locations),  Latin Bites,  Laurenzo's,  Le Colonial,  Lea Jane's Hot Chicken (Post Market),  Lee's Sandwiches,  Liberty Kitchen (both locations),  Local Foods (all locations),  Loch Bar,  Lopez (both locations),  Loro,  Lost & Found,  Low Tide,  Lulu's,  Luna Pizza (all locations),  Lupe Tortilla (all locations),  Lynn's Steakhouse
 
M – Maderas,  Maine-ly Sandwiches,  Mai's,  Maison Pucha Bistro,  Mala Sichuan (all locations),  Mama's Kitchen,  Margaux's Oyster Bar (Bravery Chef Hall),  Marmo,  Mary'z (both locations),  Masraff's, McCormick & Schmick's (all locations),  McGonigel's Mucky Duck,  Melange Creperie,  Mia's Table (all locations),  Molina's (all locations),  Money Cat,  Monkey's Tail,  Morton's (Downtown),  Mucho Mexico
 
N – Nielsen's Delicatessen,  Niko Niko's (all locations),  Ninfa's (both locations),  Nippon,  Nirvana,  North Italia
 
O – Ocean Palace,  Oceanaire,  Oishii,  On the Kirb (all locations),  Oporto,  Osso & Kristalla,  Ouisie's Table
 
P – Palazzo's (both locations),  Pappa Geno's (all locations),  Pappadeaux (all locations),  Pappas Burgers,  Pappasito's (all locations),  Paulie's Poboys (both locations),  Peking Cuisine,  Peking Impression,  Pepper Twins (all locations),  Perbacco,  Perry's (Memorial City),  Phat Eatery,  Pho Binh (Galleria),  Pho Binh (Heights),  Pho Binh (Southwest Freeway),  Pho Diem, Piatto,  Piola (both locations),  Pizzitola's,  Ploughman's Deli & Café,  Pondicheri,  Post Oak Grill (both locations),  Prego
 
R – RA Sushi (both locations),  Ragin' Cajun (both locations),  Ramen Tatsu-ya,  Rays Real Pit BBQ Shack,  Relish,  Reza Persian Grill,  Rim Tanon,  Roegel's,  Romano's Pizza,  Roostar (all locations),  Rosalie,  Rudyard's,  Ruggles Black,  Rustika Café
 
S – Saint Arnold Beer Garden & Restaurant,  Sal y Pimienta,  Saldivia's,  Saltillo,  Sao Lao Thai Café,  Segari's,  Seoul Garden,  Shake Shack (all locations),  Shandy's,  Shawarma King,  Sinh Sinh,  Solecita,  Soma,  Songkran,  Soto,  Soto's Cantina (both locations),  Southern Yankee Crafthouse,  Southwell's (all locations),  Spanish Flowers (all locations),  State Fare,  Street to Kitchen Thai,  Superica,  Sylvia's Enchilada Kitchen (both locations)
 
T – Taco Fuego (all locations),  Tacodeli,  Tacos A Go Go (all locations,  Tacos del Julio (both locations),  Tan Tan,  Taqueria Arandas (all locations),  Taqueria Cancun,  Taste of Mulan,  Taste of Nigeria,  Taste of Texas,  Thai Kun (Post Market),  The Annie,  The Breakfast Klub,  The Burger Joint (all locations),  The Grove,  The Halal Guys (all locations),  The Lemon Tree,  The Nash,  The Nickel Sandwich Grill,  The Palm,  The Pit Room,  The Rice Box (all locations),  The Taco Stand,  The Union Kitchen (all but Garden Oaks),  The Warwick,  Thien An,  Tim Ho Wan,  Tonight & Tomorrow,  Torchy's Tacos (all locations),  Toro Toro,  Toulouse,  Trattoria Sofia,  Tres Tacos,  Trill Burgers,  Truluck's
 
U – Uberrito (all locations),  Urban Eats,  Urbe
 
V – Velvet Taco (all locations),   Verde Garden,  Vieng Thai,  Vietopia
 
W – Wanna Bao,  Willie G's,  Winnie's
 
Y – Yi Peng
 
Z – Zen Izakaya,  Zutro,  Zydeco

Why not start the work week off with some delicious fried chicken at Gus's

This is the second of four.  As someone who dines out very frequently, maybe too frequently, and having a desire to try new places or revisit ones that I haven’t been in a while, I often have to check if a particular restaurant is open during those times when many might be closed: Saturday for lunch; Sunday for dinner; or Monday for either lunch and dinner.  So, I put together a list of Houston restaurants, about 750 different locations in all, highlighting whether or not each is open during those times. 
 
I thought that this might be of interest to others and wrote this post – the spreadsheet I created didn’t work with my simple website – with the other two coming.
 
The restaurants are listed alphabetical within each letter. 
 
# – 100% Taquito,  5Kinokawa,  93 Till
 
A – a'Bouzy,  Acme Oyster House,  Aga's,  Aiko,  Al Aseel,  Aladdin (both locations),  Al's Quick Stop (both locations),  Ambrosia,  Amore,  Andes Café (Post Market),  Andiron,  Armandos,  Arturo Boada Cuisine,  Avesta Persian Grill,  Aya Sushi,  Azuma
 
B – B&B Butchers,  B.B. Lemon,  B.B. Italia,  Baguette and Tea (Montrose),  Banana Leaf,  Bari,  Barnaby's (Fountainview),  Barnaby's (Heights),  Barnaby's (Midtown),  Barnaby's (Montrose),  Barnaby's (Museum District),  Barnaby's (River Oaks),  Barnaby's (Spring Branch),  Bayou City Seafood & Pasta,  BB's (all locations),  Be More Pacific,  Becks Prime (all locations but Downtown ),  Benny Chows,  Better Luck Tomorrow,  Bijan,  Birraporetti's (both locations),  Bisou,  Bistro Menil,  Black Walnut Café (all locations),  Blind Goat,  Bloom & Bee,  Bludorn,  Blue Nile,  Blue Onyx,  Boheme,  Bori,  Bosscat,  Brasil,  Brasserie 19,  Brennan's,  Brenner's (both locations),  Brett's BBQ Shop,  Buffalo Bayou Brewing Restaurant,  Burger Bodega
 
C – Cadillac Bar,  Café Express (all locations),  Café Lili,  Cali,  Candente,  Cantina Barba  Capital Grille (both locations),  Carrabba's (Kirby),  Carrabba's (Voss),  Chama Gaucha,  Chavez, ChopnBlok (Post Market),  Christian's Tailgate (all locations),  Churrascos (all locations),  Chuy's (all locations),  Ciel,  Ciro's,  Coltivare,  Common Bond (19th Street),  Common Bond (Dunlavy),  Cooking Girl (all locations),  Coppa,  Craft Pita (both locations),  Crawfish & Noodles (both locations),  Crisp,  Cuchara,  Cultivated
 
D – Dak & Bop,  D'Amico's,  Darband Shihkabob,  Davanti,  Davis Street,  Del Frisco's,  Diana Grill,  Dimassi's Mediterranean Buffet,  Dinette,  Dish Society (Heights),  Dish Society (Katy),  Dish Society (Memorial),  Duck N Bao (both locations)
 
E – East Side King (Post Market),  Eddie V's (both locations),  Eight Row Flint (both locations),  El Big Bad,  El Charro Bar & Grill,  El Meson,  El Patio,  El Polanquito,  El Rey (all locations),  El Tiempo (all locations),  El Venado,  Eloise Nichols,  Elro,  Ember & Greens,  Empire Café,  Empire Turkish Grill,  Escalante's (all locations),  Etoile,  Eunice
 
F – Fadi's (all locations),  Fat Bao,  Federal Grill (all locations),  Fields & Tides,  Figo Sugo (Bravery Chef Hall),  Fiore,  Fleming's (all locations),  Flora,  FM Kitchen,  Fogo de Chau,  Fuad's,  Fufu Café,  Fung's Kitchen,  Fusion Taco
 
G – Gatsby's Seafood,  Gatsby's Steakhouse,  Gen Korean BBQ (both locations),  Georgia James,  Golfstrømmen (Post Market),  Good Dog,  Goode Co. BBQ (all locations),  Goode Co. Cantina (all locations),  Goode Co. Seafood (both locations),  Goode Co. Taqueria,  Gorditas Aguascalientes (both locations),  Govinda's,  Grace's,  Graffiti Raw,  Gratify,  Grimaldi's (all locations),  Grotto (both locations),  Guadalajara (all locations but Downtown),  Gus's Famous Fried Chicken (both locations)
 
H – Hai Cang Harbor,  Hamsa,  Handie's Douzo (both locations),  Hando,  Harold's in the Heights,  Hawker Street Food (Post Market),  Hearsay (all locations),  Helen Greek,  Hem,  Henderson & Kane,  Hidden Omakase,  Hillstone,  Himalaya,  Hobbit Café,  Home Slice Pizza,  Hugo's,  Hu's Cooking
 
I – Impero Italiano,  India's,  Istanbul Grill,  Izakaya Wa (both locations)
 
J – Jasmine,  Jay's Burgers,  Joey Uptown,  Jonathan's The Rub (I-10),  Josephine's,  Jun
 
K – Karbach Brewing and Restaurant,  Karne,  Kasra,  Kata Robata,  Katz's (all locations),  Kau Ba,  Kenny & Ziggy's,  Khyber,  Killen's,  Kim Son (all locations),  Kiran's,  Kokoro (Bravery Chef Hall),  KP's Kitchen,  Kuu
 
L – La Calle (both locations),  La Chingada,  La Fisheria,  La Griglia,  La Hacienda (both locations),  La Lucha,  La Mexicana, Lao Sze Chuan (both locations),  Laurenzo's,  Le Colonial,  Le Jardinier,  Lea Jane's Hot Chicken (Post Market),  Lee's Sandwiches,  Liberty Kitchen (both locations),  Little's Oyster Bar,  Local Foods (all locations),  Loch Bar,  London Sizzler,  Loro,  Lost & Found,  Low Tide,  Lucy,  Lulu's,  Luna Pizza (all locations),  Lupe Tortilla (all locations)
 
M – MAD,  Maderas, Maine-ly Sandwiches, Maison Pucha Bistro,  Mala Sichuan (all locations),  Mama's Kitchen,  Mapojeong,  Margaux's Oyster Bar (Bravery Chef Hall),  Marmo,  Mary'z (both locations),  Mastrantos,  Mastro's,  McCormick & Schmick's (both locations),  Mein,  Melange Creperie,  Mexico's Deli,  MF Sushi,  Mia's Table (all locations),  Molina's (all locations),  Money Cat,  Monkey's Tail,  Moon Rabbit,  Morton's (Downtown),  Morton's (Galleria),  Mucho Mexico,  Musafeer,  Muse,  Mutiny Wine Room
 
N – Nancy's Hustle,  Navy Blue,  Niko Niko's (all locations),  Ninfa's (both locations),  Nippon,  Nirvana,  Nobie's,  Nobu,  Nonno's,  North Italia
 
O – Oceanaire,  Oheya,  On the Kirb (all locations),  One Dragon,  Oporto,  Osso & Kristalla,  Ostia,  Ouisie's Table
 
P – Palinuro,  Pappadeaux (all locations),  Pappas Burgers,  Pappasito's (all locations),  Pasha,  Pastore,  Peaky Grinders,  Peking Cuisine,  Peking Impression,  Pepper Twins (all locations),  Perry's (all locations),  Phat Eatery,  Pho Binh (Galleria),  Pho Binh (Heights),  Pho Binh (Katy),  Pho Binh by Night,  Piola (both locations),  Pondicheri,  Porta'Vino (Washington),  Poscol,  Prego,  PS-21
 
R – RA Sushi (both locations),  Ragin' Cajun (both locations),  Rainbow Lodge,  Ramen Tatsu-ya,  Red Lion,  Reza Persian Grill,  Roka Akor,  Romano's Pizza,  Roostar (all locations),  Rosalie,  Rosie Cannonball,  Ruth's Chris
 
S – Saigon Pagaloc,  Saint Arnold Beer Garden & Restaurant,  Sal y Pimienta,  San Dong,  Sao Lao Thai Café,  Savoir,  Seco's Latin Cuisine,  Seoul Garden,  Shake Shack (all locations),  Shawarma King,  Sinh Sinh,  Solecita,  Soma,  Songkran,  Soto,  Soto's Cantina (Cypress),  Southern Yankee Crafthouse,  Southwell's (all locations),  Spanish Flowers (all locations),  Squable,  State Fare,  State of Grace,  Steak 48,  Superica,  Sushi by Hidden,  Sylvia's Enchilada Kitchen (both locations)
 
T – Taco Fuego (all locations),  Tacodeli,  Tacos A Go Go (all locations but Downtown),  Tacos del Julio (both locations),  Tan Tan,  Taqueria Arandas (all locations),  Taqueria Cancun,  Taste of Mulan,  Taste of Nigeria,  Taste of Texas,  Thai Kun (Post Market),  The Annie,  The Boot,  The Burger Joint (all locations),  The Gypsy Poet (both locations),  The Halal Guys (all locations),  The Lemon Tree,  The Palm,  The Pit Room,  The Raven Grill,  The Rice Box (all but Greenway Plaza),  The Taco Stand,  The Union Kitchen (all locations),  The Warwick,  Theodore Rex,  Thirteen,  Tim Ho Wan,  Tiny Champions,  Toasted Coconut,  Tonight & Tomorrow,  Torchy's Tacos (all locations),  Toro Toro,  Toulouse,  Trattoria Sofia,  Traveler's Table,  Tres Tacos,  Trill Burgers,  Truluck's,  Turkey Leg Hut
 
U – Uberrito (all locations),  Uchi,  Uchiko,  Ume
 
V – Velvet Taco (all locations),  Verandah,  Verde Garden,  Vic & Anthony's,  Vieng Thai,  Vietopia
 
W – Wanna Bao,  Warehouse 72,  Willie G's,  Winnie's
 
X – Xin Chao
 
Y – Yi Peng
 
Z – Zanti,  Zen Izakaya,  Zutro

The osso buco at Carrabba's

As someone who dines out very frequently, maybe too frequently, and having a desire to try new places or revisit ones that I haven’t been in a while, I often have to check if a particular restaurant is open during those times when many might be closed: Saturday for lunch; Sunday for dinner; or Monday for either lunch and dinner.  So, I put together a list of Houston restaurants, about 750 different locations in all, highlighting whether or not each is open during those times. 
 
I thought that this might be of interest to others and wrote this post – the spreadsheet I created didn’t work with my simple website – with ones about the other three coming.
 
The restaurants are listed alphabetical within each letter.  The nicer restaurants are likely serving brunch.
 
# – 100% Taquito,  51Fifteen,  7 Taco, 93 Till
 
A –  a'Bouzy,  Acme Oyster House,  Aga's,  Al Aseel,  Aladdin (both locations),  Alice Blue,  Al's Quick Stop (both locations),  Amalfi,  Ambrosia,  Amore,  Andes Café (Post Market),  Angelo'z,  Anonymous Café,  Armadillo Palace,  Avalon Diner (all locations),  Avesta Persian Grill,  Aya Sushi,  Azuma
 
B – B&B Butchers,  B.B. Lemon,  B.B. Italia,  Backstreet Café (Montrose),  Badolina Bakery & Café,  Baguette and Tea (both locations),  Banana Leaf,  Bari,  Barnaby's (all locations),  Bayou City Seafood & Pasta,  BB's (all locations),  Be More Pacific,  Becks Prime  (all locations but Downtown ),  Benny Chows,  Better Luck Tomorrow,  Bijan,  Birraporetti’s (both locations),  Bisou,  Bistro Menil,  Black Walnut Café (all locations),  Blood Bros. BBQ,  Bloom & Bee,  Blue Nile,  Blue Onyx,  Boheme,  Bori,  Bosscat,  Brasil,  Brasserie 19,  Brasserie du Parc,  Brennan's,  Brett's BBQ Shop,  Brisket & Rice,  Brown Bag Deli (Heights),  Brown Bag Deli (Medical Center),  Brown Bag Deli (Rice Village),  Buffalo Bayou Brewing Restaurant,  Burger Bodega,  Burger-Chan,  Burn's Burger Shack,  Burn's Original BBQ
 
C – Cadillac Bar,  Café Brussels,  Café Express (all locations),  Café Leonelli (Kinder Building),  Café Lili,  Café Piquet,  Café Rabelais,  Cali,  Candente,  Cantina Barba,  Caracol,  Carrabba's (Kirby),  Carrabba's (Voss),  Chama Gaucha,  Chavez,  ChopnBlok (Post Market),  Christian's Tailgate (all locations),  Churrascos (all locations),  Chuy's (all locations),  Ciel,  Ciro's,  Common Bond (19th Street),  Common Bond (Dunlavy),  Common Bond (Garden Oaks),  Common Bond (White Oak),  Cooking Girl (all locations),  Coppa,  Craft Pita (both locations),  Crawfish & Noodles (both locations),  Crisp,  Cuchara,  Cucharita,  Cultivated
 
D – Da Gama,  Dak & Bop,  D'Amico's,  Dandelion Café,   Darband Shihkabob,  Davanti,  Dimassi's Mediterranean Buffet,  Dinette,  Dish Society (all locations),  Don Café (both locations),  Duck N Bao (both locations),  Dumpling Haus,
 
E – East Side King (Post Market),  Eight Row Flint (both locations),  El Charro Bar & Grill,  El Meson,  El Patio,   El Polanquito,  El Rey (all locations),  El Tiempo (all locations),  El Topo,  El Venado,  Eloise Nichols,  Elro,  Ember & Greens,  Empire Café,  Empire Turkish Grill,  Escalante's (all locations),  Etoile,  Eugene's,  Eunice
 
F – Fadi's (all locations),  Fat Bao,  Federal Grill (all locations),  Feges BBQ (Spring Branch),  Fields & Tides,  Figo Sugo (Bravery Chef Hall),  Fiore,  Flora,  FM Kitchen,  Fogo de Chau,  French Riviera Bakery Café,  Fufu Café,  Fung's Kitchen,  Fusion Taco
 
G – Gatlin's BBQ,  Gen Korean BBQ (both locations),  Golfstrømmen (Post Market),  Good Dog,  Goode Co. BBQ (all locations),  Goode Co. Cantina (all locations),  Goode Co. Seafood (both locations),  Goode Co. Taqueria,  Gorditas Aguascalientes (both locations),  Govinda's,  Grace's,  Graffiti Raw,  Gratify,  Grimaldi's (all locations),  Grotto (both locations),  Guadalajara (all locations),  Gus's Famous Fried Chicken (both locations)
 
 H – Hai Cang Harbor,  Hamsa,  Handie's Douzo (both locations),  Hando,  Harold's in the Heights,  Hawker Street Food (Post Market),  Hearsay (all locations),  Helen Greek,   Hem,  Henderson & Kane,  Hillstone,  Himalaya,  Hobbit Café,   Home Slice Pizza,  Hughie's (both locations),  Hugo's,  Hull & Oak,  Hu's Cooking,  Huynh
 
I – Impero Italiano,  India's,  Irma's Southwest,  Istanbul Grill,  Izakaya Wa (both locations)
 
J – Jasmine,  Jay's Burgers,  J-Bar-M Barbecue,  Joey Uptown,  Jonathan's The Rub (Memorial),  Josephine's
 
K – Karbach Brewing and Restaurant,  Kasra,  Kata Robata,  Katz's (all locations),  Kau Ba,  Kenny & Ziggy's,  Killen's,  Kim Son (all locations),  Kiran's,  Kokoro (Bravery Chef Hall),  Kolache Shoppe (both locations),  KP's Kitchen,  Kriti Kitchen
 
L – La Calle (both locations),  La Carreta,  La Chingada,  La Fisheria,  La Guadalupana,  La Hacienda (both locations),  La Lucha,  La Mexicana,  La Plaza,  La Sicilia,  Lao Sze Chuan (both locations),  Latin Bites,  Le Colonial,  Le Jardinier,  Lea Jane's Hot Chicken (Post Market),  Lee's Sandwiches,  Liberty Kitchen (both locations),  Local Foods (all locations),  Loch Bar,  London Sizzler,  Lopez (both locations),  Loro,  Lost & Found,  Low Tide,  Lucille's,  Lucy,  Lulu's,  Luna Pizza (all locations),  Lupe Tortilla (all locations)
 
M – MAD,  Maderas,  Maine-ly Sandwiches,  Mai's,  Maison Pucha Bistro,  Mala Sichuan (all locations),  Mama's Kitchen,  Mapojeong,  Margaux's Oyster Bar (Bravery Chef Hall),  Marmo,  Mary'z (both locations),  McCormick & Schmick's (CityCentre),  McCormick & Schmick's (Uptown),  McGonigel's Mucky Duck,  Mein,  Melange Creperie,  Mexico's Deli,  Mia's Table (all locations),  Mimo,  Molina's (all locations),  Money Cat,  Monkey's Tail,  Moon Rabbit,  Mucho Mexico,  Musafeer
 
N – Navy Blue,  Nielsen's Delicatessen,  Niko Niko's (all locations),  Ninfa's (both locations),  Nippon,  Nirvana,  North Italia,  Nundini
 
O – Ocean Palace,  Oishii,  On the Kirb (all locations),  One Dragon,  Oporto,  Osso & Kristalla,  Ostia,  Ouisie's Table
 
P – Pacha Nikkei,  Palazzo's (Westchase),  Pappa Geno's (Fort Bend),  Pappa Geno's (Garden Oaks),  Pappa Geno's (Katy),  Pappa Geno's (Montrose),  Pappadeaux (all locations),  Pappas Burgers,  Pappasito's (all locations),  Pasha,  Paulie's Poboys (both locations),  Peaky Grinders,  Peking Cuisine,  Peking Impression,  Pepper Twins (all locations),  Phat Eatery,  Pho Binh (Chinatown),  Pho Binh (Galleria),  Pho Binh (Heights),  Pho Binh (Katy),  Pho Binh (Southwest Freeway),  Pho Binh Trailer,  Pho Diem,  Piola (both locations),  Pizzitola's,  Ploughman's Deli & Café,  Polanquito,  Pondicheri,  Prego,  PS-21
 
R – RA Sushi (both locations),  Ragin' Cajun (both locations),  Ramen Tatsu-ya,  Rays Real Pit BBQ Shack,  Red Lion,  Relish,  Reza Persian Grill,  Rim Tanon,  Roegel's,   Romano's Pizza,  Roostar (all locations),  Rosalie,  Rosie Cannonball,  Rudyard's,  Ruggles Black,  Rustika Café
 
S – Saigon Pagaloc,  Saint Arnold Beer Garden & Restaurant,  Sal y Pimienta,  Saltillo,  San Dong,  Sao Lao Thai Café,  Savoir,  Seco's Latin Cuisine,  Seoul Garden,  Shake Shack (all locations),  Shandy's,  Shawarma King,  Sinh Sinh,  Solecita,  Soma,  Songkran,  Soto,  Soto's Cantina (both locations),  Southern Yankee Crafthouse,  Southwell's (all locations),  Spanish Flowers (all locations),  State Fare,  Superica,  Sylvia's Enchilada Kitchen (both locations)
 
T – Taco Fuego (all locations),   Tacodeli,  Tacos A Go Go (all locations but Downtown),  Tacos del Julio (both locations),  Tan Tan,  Taqueria Arandas (all locations),  Taqueria Cancun,  Taste of Mulan,  Taste of Nigeria,  Thai Kun (Post Market),  The Annie,  The Boot,  The Breakfast Klub,  The Burger Joint (all locations),  The Halal Guys (all locations),  The Lemon Tree,  The Original Marini's Empanada House,  The Pit Room,  The Rice Box (all but Greenway Plaza),  The Taco Stand,  The Union Kitchen (all locations),  The Warwick,  Thien An,  Thirteen,  Tim Ho Wan,  Tiny Boxwoods,  Tiny's No. 5,  Tio Trompo,  Toasted Coconut,  Tonight & Tomorrow,  Torchy's Tacos (all locations),  Toro Toro,  Toulouse,  Trattoria Sofia,  Traveler's Table,  Tres Tacos,  Trill Burgers,  Truluck's,  Truth BBQ,  Turkey Leg Hut
 
U – Uberrito (all locations),   Underbelly Burger,  Urban Eats,   Urbe
 
V – Velvet Taco (all locations),  Verde Garden,  Vieng Thai,  Vietopia
 
W – Wanna Bao,  Warehouse 72,  Weights and Measures,  Wild Oats,  Winnie's
 
X – Xochi
 
Y – Yi Peng
 
Z – Zanti,   Zen Izakaya,  Zutro

A tempting dish at Mein