Construction on Houston’s version of Uchi – a second edition of Austin’s hottest Japanese restaurant – finally began last week. Anticipated since last summer when the news was first announced, chef/owner Tyson Cole and partner Daryl Kunik have taken over the old Felix location on lower Westheimer just east of Montrose. Two things we can tell you: The menu will be pretty much the same as the Austin original, and the partners have announced a Nov. 1 target opening … Messina Hof is expanding into the Texas Hill Country with the purchase of a second Messina Hof Winery and Resort location. Owners Paul and Merrill Bonarrigo are building a new 10-acre resort in Gillespie County. It will mirror the 33-year-old namesake in Bryan, while incorporating a Hill Country feel. Like the original, the resort will have a vineyard for grape growing as well as feature a bed and breakfast, wine bar, retail shop and conference facilities … Steve Marques, one half of the duo who launched (last summer) and operate the popular Burger Guys in West Houston, has left the restaurant. Jake Mazzu is still there.

Lynette Hawkins announced this week that her Giacomo’s Cibo e Vino (3215 Westheimer) will now offer table service as a lunch-time option. Previously, the restaurant was cafeteria-style service at lunch, table service at dinner … Catalan owners Charles Clark and Grant Cooper announced earlier this week their reconcepting plan for their restaurant now that exec chef Chris Shepherd is leaving May 1 to work on his own place, Underbelly, set to open this fall. Catalan (5555 Washington Ave.) will close its doors in June for a few weeks for an overhaul and then reopen as Coppa Ristorante Italiano. The new chef will be Brandi Key, who has been with the Pappas organization the past 10 years. In the mean time, chef Antoine Ware, who has been Shepherd’s sous-chef since Catalan opened, will stay on until the summer transition begins .

We hear that The Tasting Room is pursuing a location in Kingwood that used to be The Wine Loft. It’s located in the same strip center as Raffa’s, Sharky’s, Chimichurri’s and Zammittti’s and might be open by late summer … Michael Dei Maggi recently signed on as a partner at Delicious Concepts (parent company of Lola, Pink’s Pizza and Dragon Bowl). He’s currently reworking the Dragon Bowl (1221 W. 11th): expanding hours, remodeling and writing a new menu that focuses on pan-Asian street food. “We’re working on new dishes in the secret laboratory,” emailed Dei Maggi. “Barring any unforeseen circumstances we should be ready to roll by May 15.” … Condolences to the family and fans of Pierre Celis, the beermaker and namesake for Austin’s original Celis Brewery, who died on April 9.