Big news in the Houston restaurant world: Elouise Adams Jones, proprietress of Ouisie’s Table, is opening a new restaurant. She is taking over the Westheimer-near-Kirby space that has been temporarily housing Tony Mandola’s Gulf Coast Kitchen. (For years this space was Rickshaw.) What we know: It will not be a second Ouisie’s Table, although some dishes will be found at both. Actually, Elouise promises the new American bistro will give her much-appreciated eclectic tendencies even more freedom. She says it will be a little more casual, have lots of Southern flair and no shortage of surprises in both menu and decor. The as-yet-unnamed restaurant is expected to open in early September … C.J. Claverie at the Rice University Farmers’ Market (every Tuesday 3:30 to 7 pm, entrance 9) emailed to say: “It being an odd year, the Texas legislature is in session and considering two bills that would affect farmers markets. One bill, HB2084, would remove onerous regulatory and financial burdens placed on small dairies and producers of low-risk jams, jellies and dried herbs. The other HB 3387 directly affects farmers markets. It would allow food sampling and alternative methods for refrigeration of cold foods at the market. A third bill, HB 75, would allow for the sale of raw milk from Grade A dairies at farmers’ markets but is now languishing in committee. For more information visit the Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance.”
Here are more details about The Barbed Rose’s recent staff additions down in Alvin. As we told you previously, J.P. Fleming is the new baker/pastry chef. What we didn’t know is that Barbed Rose owner Joe Schneider is opening Crustco Artisan Bakery with Fleming heading it up. About the same time, the restaurant hired chef Jay Peek as butcher/charcuterie chef. And, yes, Schneider’s Alvin Restaurant Group is also opening an Old World meat market called Schaap Meat Company. Both Crustco and Schaap Meat Company will be open in Alvin this summer … We stopped in for lunch at the new Greatfull Taco (2411 S. Shepherd just north of Westheimer, 281-888-2504) last week. This is the former location of the short-lived Sabetta and Cafe Zol (Danish tapas, anyone?), and where Crostini was for many years. Greatfull Taco is a fast-casual restaurant specializing in tacos. We ordered The Wharf (a fish taco with two cubes of fish about the size of Monopoly dice) and a smoked brisket taco that was, alas, overwhelmed by its strident barbecue sauce. Neither made a positive impression — but maybe we didn’t order well. The tacos were $3.95 each. We feel obliged to mention the soft-drink station by the restroom entrance has a certain yuck factor, too. Greatfull Taco is open for breakfast and lunch.