BITES BY GREG MORAGO
Houston scores in Wine Spectator
Only 97 restaurants in the world have earned the highest distinction in Wine Spectator’s annual restaurant awards, and three are in Houston. Wine Spectator recently announced its Grand Award Winners, the top honor for restaurants with extraordinary wine programs, and two Pappas Bros. Steakhouse restaurants (Galleria area and downtown) and Mastro’s Steakhouse at the Post Oak Hotel made the list. This is what editors had to say about the downtown location: “The list is a showstopper, from the sprawling Champagne collection to the outstanding French verticals to the diverse dessert wine selection.” On Mastro’s: “This location of Landry’s, Inc.’s popular steak house is home to the largest wine list of any Wine Spectator award winner in the group’s portfolio.”
Revelry to close
The sports bar Revelry on Richmond is closing July 31 after eight years of operation in Montrose. Ted Baker, owner of the bar and pub restaurant at 1613 Richmond, said he decided not to renew his lease, opting to focus on his two other concepts, Pennywhistle Pub (located next door at 1625 Richmond) and Bobcat Teddy’s, 2803 in the Heights. In its last month of service, Revelry is offering happy hour from open to close (2 p.m. to 1 a.m.) every Friday in July. The bar is planning to host a farewell party on July 30 and feature guest bartenders from original Revelry staff throughout the month.
New Common Bond
Common Bond bakery and café has opened its seventh on-the-go location in the Energy Corridor at 1127 Eldridge Parkway in the Plazas at Parkway. The menu includes bakery items, breakfast bites, sandwiches and salad bowls as well as a full coffee program, canned wine and frozen drinks. There is dining space, including a patio, and a drive-thru for quick service. The Energy Corridor location is open 7 a.m.-6 p.m. daily.
Burns Original BBQ expands
Burns Original BBQ has expanded with a new bistro restaurant inside Kroger at 11003 Shadow Creek Parkway in Pearland. It is the second instore partnership between Kroger and the longtime Houston Black-owned barbecue joint. The first opened in 2021 at 14221 E. Sam Houston Parkway N. in the Summerwood neighborhood. The graband-go outposts offer a limited Burns menu, including family packs of barbecue, sandwiches and side dishes; the full menu is only at the original Burns joint at 8307 De Priest. Other Burns bistros inside Kroger are planned for the Houston suburbs and possibly an expansion into the Dallas area, according to a spokesperson.