Austin-based How Do You Roll will open its first Houston store in downtown's tunnel system later this spring. Think Chipotle with sushi.
On the assembly line at How Do You Roll.: Courtesy photo
The fast casual concept allows to diners to customize their maki sushi rolls in four steps. Select the wrap (traditional seaweed or soy), the veggies (choose up to three), the meat (ranging from cooked crawfish tails to raw escolar) and one or more toppings (smelt egg, anyone?) and you're on your way.

The restaurant is expected to open in March in the tunnel under Commerce Towers, 914 Main St. With three locations in Austin, HDYR hopes to open another 65 locations in the next eight years.

EATING LIGHT & RIGHT
Freshii has introduced a menu of 15 items all geared to help customers meet their weight-loss goals. Designed by dietitian Ashley Koff, the menu includes a grilled chicken wrap with mushrooms and cucumbers that is only 210 calories and a salmon bowl with brown rice, spinach, avocado, egg whites, tomato, roasted red peppers and balsamic vinegar that is 182 calories. You also makes it easy to custom-build a bowl or wrap by using Freshii's easy-to-understand menu of proteins, carbs and fats.

WINE TASTING AT FRATELLI'S
Fratelli's Authentic Italian Cuisine is hosting a wine-tasting with winemaker Nicola Antonutti of Antonutti Wines 4 p.m.-6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 4. Tickets are $15 and include appetizers and a raffle drawing for wine-related goodies.
The Grapefruit Bomb at Rainbow Lodge.: Courtesy photo
CELEBRATING CITRUS
Rainbow Lodge owner Donnette Hanson grew up in the Valley surrounded by grapefruit orchards, so it should be no surprise that the Heights restaurant marks the citrus season with a couple of fresh items. Among them, the bar's Grapefruit Bomb with Ketel One Vodka, St. Germaine Elder Flower Liqueur and Ruby Grapefruit juice and a salad with Ruby Red Grapefruit, Lobster and Avocado with Ruby Reduction.

VALENTINE'S VS. SUPER BOWL
Many of Houston's high-end restaurants that are normally closed on Mondays will be open Monday, Feb. 14, for Valentine's. Find an extensive list of Valentine's menus here.

In that same vein, Pizzitola's Bar-B-Cue is normally closed on Sunday, but will be open noon-4 p.m. this Sunday, Feb. 6, to help with Super Bowl celebrations. It's offering discounts on big foods for the big day. For example, if you buy five or more slabs of ribs, they're only $17.95 and whole chickens, regularly $14.95, are $12.95.

CHINESE NEW YEAR SPECIALS
Restaurants all across the city will be celebrating the Chinese New Year Thursday, Feb. 3.

At Cafe Chino, chef/owners May and Eddie Chan have created special a la carte menu that honors something May's mother always told her, “If you eat well on New Year’s Day, you will eat well all year long. Everyone must start the New Year with a full stomach!”

Among the "Year of the Rabbit" specials: pan-seared Peking duck ($17), Mongolian Fried Rice with chicken, beef, pork and shrimp ($12) and a salmon carpaccio appetizer ($7). 3285 Southwest Freeway, 713-524-4433.

SKEWERS CELEBRATES REOPENING
A fire is not the reason a restaurant wants to be considered a hot spot. But that's exactly what happened to Skewers Cafe & Grill in October. On Saturday, Feb. 5, the Lebanese restaurant officially reopens. When the restaurant reopens -- (fingers crossed) on Feb. 19 -- expect new decor, a full menu featuring favorites such as gyros, kafta and kabobs and live music.