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Would-be diners read the notice on the door at Strip House Friday, July 27.: Syd Kearney : 29-95
Updated: 2:20 p.m. 7.27.12
Looks like downtown Houston has lost another steak shrine this week.
A lock-out notice dated July 26 was posted on the door at the Strip House, 1200 McKinney St. The notice implied the locks had been changed because of past-due rent.
On the door at the Strip House.: Syd Kearney : 29-95
The Strip House phone goes to voice mail and the clubby restaurant’s Twitter and Facebook accounts appear to be dead.
"We have been in this space for over seven years and we have done everything in our power to negotiate on our lease in good faith. Our goal is to resolve this matter as soon as possible so we can get back to business serving Houston," co-owner Penny Glazier of The Glazier Group said in a release early Friday.
Later reached by phone, Glazier sounded as though the closing was more final. “We made every effort -- sincerely made an effort -- to negotiate with the new landlord,” Glazier said.
As for Strip House’s future in Houston, Glazier said, it was a matter of sitting down “as a family" and deciding the next path.
Classic steak at the Strip House.: 29-95 file photo
Reached by phone, Chris Boucher, senior real estate manager for CBRE Inc., said he could confirm the steakhouse is closed, but couldn't comment on lease negotiations.
When asked whether a future tenant had been secured for the site, Boucher said, "no comment."
The Strip House opened in the Shops at Houston Center in 2004. It quickly became popular for its plush, retro-burlesque decor and its classic steakhouse fare such as Clams Casino, rack of lamb and its $20 baked potato.
In her review of the restaurant in January of 2005, Chronicle critic Alison Cook wrote:
“As irksome as it may be to hand the local steakhouse crown to an East Coast interloper, for my money this is the most interesting chop house in town. It's a steakhouse for the thinking diner.”
On Saturday night, Samba Grille closed its doors.
Despite good critical reviews (Cook awarded it a coveted two stars), Samba never found a solid audience in its Bayou Place location.
must be because everybody's going to food truck. right?
But the market is above 13,000 !?!
either that or they're getting steaks from Wal-Mart.:D
Steakhouses come and go. Every "chef" thinks he knows how to run a business and at first, it's new so people check them out but soon, the buzz wears off and people go to another location. It's almost like night clubs.
Really? Do you know how long this steakhouse has been in business? Which night clubs are you talking about, the ones that closed.
Do you even know who the Glazier family is? They know how to run several business.
Glazer Group is or has been in and out of financial dificulty for years.
The glaziers are a family of thugs living in the Hamptons. Penny is a liar. They owe over $400k in past rent. They don't care one bit about their employees as paychecks were bouncing for the past two months.
Sounds like you were an employee, because who would know that. I'm wondering about the restaurant, not a personal problem you have with your old boss. I say that if your checks were bouncing you should've quit then.
Your an idiot. I'm not a former employee, but I do have first hand knowledge of what happened. All you need to know about the restaurant is that its closed cause the Glaziers didn't pay there bills. There are now 100 people jobless due to their negligence.
They do NOT no how to run several businesses. I worked for them for years and I cant count how many times payroll checks bounced because of their lack of funds. Plus, when they cam in town they were the type of owners you had to tip toe around. The worst owners I have ever worked for. They also were dumb enough to open not 1 but 2 steakhouses in Costa Rica. They were both closed within a year. As a staff we always felt like this situation they are currently in was going to happen. I have no idea where you get your info but check it again.
Dang, I wasn't hungry til I saw this pic! Yummmmmm
Haha for real! me too...
Why don't they just build some affordable living (not projects) in downtown to encourage people to move in there (downtown area)? These businesses wouldn't struggle so much if that was the case. I travel all over the country for work and Houston by far has the least foot traffic for a downtown area and it's the 4th largest city in the nation supposedly. Hell Birmingham, AL has more going on in downtown than Houston, that's just comical.
Have you ever walked through downtown LA at night? It's far more dead than Houston.
That's simply not correct. I live in downtown LA, and it's much more alive than Houston's downtown. It's the exact opposite of this article. There have been 7 restaurants that have just opened in the past month. There are at least 7 very large housing complexes breaking ground in the next few months, not counting the hotels that are also being built.
I wouldn't say "much more" considering Houston's main action at least takes place in the heart of downtown.
You also IGNORE the excellent public spaces downtown Houston (Discovery Green, Jones Plaza and Market Square) gained or revitalized compared to L.A.'s downtown.
Downtown Houston is actually far from dead. They don't usually like to publicize what downtown H-town has GAINED lately such as Robert Redford's Sundance Cinema, Biba's 24 Hour Greek Cafe and so forth.
Downtown Houston is actually alive on many nights with people partying everywhere from Caroline St./Houston Pavilions to the various places on Main St. to Bayou Place's various establishments. Those lost establishments will eventually be replaced. The Theater District is a still THE high-end cultural hub of Houston too.
Moreover, this article hasn't mentioned Barnaby's Cafe, Charity Bar and others slated to open in downtown Houston...
that's because no one in their right mind goes out walking at night in downtown L.A.
Until more people with $$$ live in downtown Houston, it will always be a dead zone.
A $20 baked potato? Really? Do you get to take the plate and silver home for that price?
What's comical is that downtown Birmingham, Alabama doesn't have the Texas Medical Center, Rice Village, the Energy Corridor, Uptown/Galleria, Midtown, Richmond Avenue, Greenway Plaza, Washington Avenue, the Heights, Memorial City and such to compete with for business or entertainment/dining. That being said, there is still ample activity in downtown Houston, whether during the business day or at night when its time to party.
Does Birmingham have the Theater District? Tunnels?
I really love (certain) people's ignorant, simplistic, out-of-context portrayals of downtown Houston.
You just showed your ignorance. None of those areas are in Downtown Houston. In the city, sure, but not in Downtown.
I think he was saying that down town has to compete with those areas.
Heck, that is probably all that Birmingham has going on is its downtown district. Does Birmingham rank among the top cities in the U.S. or just tops for Alabama.
Bummed..this is my Vday dinner tradition!
Houston has never had a downtown that has caught on after 6. It's depressing. Not sure what the answer is though
Have you ever been to Hamburg Redlight District? It's crazy, every night. USA is too prude to accept those kind of businesses. That's why we turn off the lights at 6 pm each day.
Really? You must not have seen the overcrowded nightlife sidewalks of downtown Houston before the rail construction.
Nightlife sectors have now been spread out in different areas of Houston now, but downtown Houston IS still lively at night on party nights. It is one option among many areas.
You folks who criticize downtown Houston being "dead after 6" really have no clue as to what goes on here. I've gone to downtown Houston for a little action the past 2 of 3 Saturdays and THERE WERE LOTS of people walking around Caroline, Main, Congress, Travis, Smith St. going from Houston Pavilions to the spots on Main to Bayou Place...people eating at Frank's Pizza (open til 3:00am on weekends), hanging out drinking coffee past midnight at Minuti's Patio, hipsters at No-Tsu-Oh, hip hoppers at Venue...
I mean really. People like to ignorantly underestimate Houston's vibe...but they are totally wrong.
Oh no, now I only have fifty steak restaurants to choose from!
Wow, you mean steak houses don't thrive in a downtown with no consistent crowd or traffic scene?
At least you can take your dog for a beer hipsters.
I found striphouse management very unprofessional. For my wifes birthday a couple years ago we decided to go out for dinner with a few friends off mine. After dinner a couple of friends of ours just came by there to have a couple of drinks not even dinner. The restaurant went ahead and charged us 18 percent gratuity because we had eight members in our group. Strange only 6 were there for dinner. The two that came after were only there for 20 mins and that for a drink in the end. I tried to talk to management about this and they didnt do anything about it. Didnt even reply to email.
you're in a nice steak house and you complain about an 18% gratituity ... I leave a 20% gratuity almost everywhere I eat ... and I'll bet you're probably one of the most difficult and demanding customers
Word. You got all worked up in the restaurant and then sent e-mails hoping to save, what? 12 bucks?
He had every right to complain. He was wronged. What you do for tips is your business. What he does is not your business.
He's right. You tip your way. He can complain about whatever he wants.
I regularly leave 20 to 35% tip everywhere I go unless I get horrible service. Then I leave 5 to 10% or nothing if it is really bad. I refuse to patronize any restaurant that requires a tip. The places that I am a regular, the servers and some management even know me and run over to welcome me and do a good job taking care of me because they know I will tip them well. I rarely ever ask for special orders or additional items and they know this. I am an easy customer to serve. I just expect my water glass to be refilled regularly. Downtown suffers from a "quality" clientele image. There are some very good places to eat but it is too scary to be downtown after dark unless you are drunk and don't really care about who else is on the street with you. Plus, paying $10 to $20 to park at night is crazy. I can drive 10 minutes farther out and avoid parking expenses completely.
So you tip for bad service? LOL. So you're encouraging people to stay the same, even if they suck? That's not the way to curb bad behavior.
Instead of paying to park, you could park somewhere else and take the METRO. It's not that bad.
Email? Why didn't you gorw a pair and tell the management while you were there? Oh, you sent them an email. What a man!
you're right. The management there was horrible. they had this blond chick who wasn't even capable of opening a bottle of wine! Many a times my wife and I were there for dinner and the place was packet, staff running around like crazy and we never saw her help them. She was alwasy hidding in the room by the bar...or drinking wine at the bar! drinking on the job while the restaurant if full of people. The only professional one we ever saw busting his back was an Asian dude and towards the end we didn't see him anymore.
I have eaten at this place a couple times and each time I was there, I had a bad experience. If ABC13's Marvin Zindler's was still here, he would have a field day here. I do not feel sorry this restaurent. Plus, they cant even make their rent.... Need I say more about the owner/managment?
Just because you open your doors and offer a product doesn't mean you will stay in business and make a profit. All to many restaurants try to stay in business because they are ashamed to admit failure. Many restaurants like these depend on style and status, usually high prices are their way of conveying status. Lower prices and larger servings would have packed their dining rooms...but, you can not claim to be elite doing that. Little do they understand that elite is having a bank account stuffed with cash.
You can achieve and keep this elite status by doing the same things right consistently. Look at the Pappa's business model for ex.
I think it was Sam Walton who said: If you cater to the masses you dine with the classes; if you cater to the classes you dine with the masses.
Yeah. Think Golden Corral. They all that "you" want at cheap prices. I see some of their locations going out of business too.
Another reason what makes Houston so cool, I guess.
Killed by the Metro trains.
Not to mention the freeways like I-10.
Well let's see. Downtown Sucks?
Very Tough Business!
Please don't knock it until you have tried it! My heart goes out to the owners of this business. At least the inevitable is over for them... It is not as easy as you think and hardly no profit!
The Waitstaff was bringing in between 800-1,000.00 per week. there was plenty of profit. The owners just shoved it in their pockets.
Downtown Houston has throngs of people on foot. They are underground in the tunnel system. You can't have it both ways.
I loved Strip House. It was surely Houston's most romantic steak house.
The main problem with steakhouses is they often try to do too much. When people want steak, regardless of the price point, they want a ridiculously tender, lightly seasoned, cooked to their liking hunk of meat in the middle of the plate. Have all the garnishments, fancy sides, overpriced wines, and trendy surroundings you want, but when it comes down to it the beef is what matters. That is why some cheap joints stay open forever, and fancy ones go under. It's THE MEAT!
You've hit the nail on the head. When it comes to steak, KISS (keep it simple stupid) is the order of the day. however, i enjoy a nice wine...but NOT overpriced!
So incredible true. Why don't some of these prissy chefs understand this?
Yes, I hate steak houses that just grill the meat without any spices or flavorings, then plop it down on your plate and expect you to enjoy it.. I prefer a FLAVORFUL steak like the ones I make at home.
I recently went to Texas Roadhouse though, and I must say, they flavor their steaks just the way I like them (at least their Bone-In Ribeye, that's the one I had).. I'll definitely be back there. I wasn't crazy about their baked potato, because they roll it in sea-salt (makes it taste too salty for my tastes), but I'm pretty sure I can ask 'em not to do that.
As far as ambiance, pffffffft - fancy, shmancy. It was $19.00 for a 20oz steak, and tasted very close to what I grill at home. I doubt I could have got a 8oz sirloin at Strip House for that price. :)
My boyfriend and I went to try it a few months ago and were really disappointed. Everything was just kind of so-so, and with a bill over $100... no thanks.
This sounds like Perry's Grill.
Nothing like Perry's Grill...which is darn awesome, has great service and is very profitable because of it.
PixieGilr....In the late 60s and early 70s Downtown had a very lively night life (Allens Landing area).....As time has gone on and suburban sprawl set in that changed. It also came across as "unsafe" to go there after dark.
You're pretty old. I remember those days. Sort of.
Increased construction for rail and other projects is taking away a lot of street parking in the area. Then parking enforcement is ticketing or booting anyone that does come. If a place had failed they wouldn't be there 7 years. There sales are down and probably want a more favorable lease.
I agree with more affordable housing to bring in residence that actually spend money. Many current Downtown residence fit in one of two categories: struggling post grad that can barely afford the rent leaving them with no disposable income or rich people that commute back to the suburbs or out of town. They have disposable income and choose to spend it on better experiences than Downtown.
The Strip House was a catastrophe of a restaurant.
It tried to be hipster-cool by charging high prices and having black-and-white porn (er, I mean "burlesque") on its walls, but in reality, it was a dingy, third-rate steakhouse in a city with some of the country's best. The service stunk, and the wine list was little more than what was available from the cheaper shelves at Kroger. They also tried to pride themselves on a raw bar, but when I ordered their "seafood tower" appetizer about a year ago, the seafood (particularly the oysters) was not fresh. I paid less for better steak dinners at several places in town.
Good riddance.
Another big problem is that 4-5 blocks away is Vic & Anthony's, which is way better food, service, ambiance, and wine list.
Also with the old school porn on the walls serveral large companies that surround that block restricted employees from going there. Yes a little over the top, but thats the P.C. world we live in.
Hopefully a Landrys Seafood does not land there now...
you do realize that Vic & Anthony's is a Landry's restaurant, right?!?
I do, but it is the one Landrys place that is worth a crap.
Agree with you. One of the buffoons who I worked with several years ago decided it would be cool to have a business dinner there. Problem: several women were in attendance and were uncomfortable with the black and white pictures of topless women that littered the walls of this place. Senior management subsequently banned the Strip House from expense account reimbursement.
Vic & Anthony's is also 100X better than the Strip House ever was.
I take it you don't work in the oilfield....
Good restaurants don't go out of business
Samba's service was so bad we walked out the only time we tried to eat there. Glad they are gone.
Should have moved it near Kirby and Bissonnet...need a good Steak House closer than Flemings....anyways, Downtown stinks...they move the majority of sports venues there but as soon as over everyone spreads back to Washington or Kirby or anywhere else....Nightlife selection stinks, danger around every corner, and nothing to keep anyone interested in sticking around there. Then you have a convention center with no action around it..so even convention people stay in at hotels...the only spot is Vic and Anthony's...thank goodness. Anyways, bunch of old farts running the Greater Hosuton Partnership...bunch of duds in our City Council and you get years of tax dollars flowing into Downtown with no results....Move the SteakHouse out of downtown...People will go...
How wants to go downtown? Paid parking, you don't feel safe, long walk to car and long drive to get down there. The only reason I go down town is to maybe see a show every couple of years.
"How wants to go downtown?"
You don't usually have to worry about paid parking if you're a regular, and there's a reason why the METRORail was built and nearly all major bus lines hit downtown.
Some areas are sketchy, but the most popular areas don't seem to have any safety issues. It only feels unsafe if you haven't been there much because you're not as familiar with it.
Long walk to car either means take the METRO or park closer. If it's a long drive, I'm not sure if you're coming from the Woodlands or something. Most people can access downtown around 30-45 minutes during the day, and usually under 30 at night.
Samba Grille closed??? Dang! I guess I should read more often. Hubby and I went there, sent our son's Prom group there... I arranged two business dinners there. I tried. Never went to Strip House. I have found that I, personally, make the best Rib Eye in Houston, so no need to go pay someone for that. And my focus is on quality, not quantity, so sorry, will not be inviting any of you over for steaks.
So much for the "coolest city"
Why is it sad that Indy has a better downtown than Houston? While it's true they do have a MUCH better downtown, Indy is the state capital which contributes to a better downtown..i.e. Austin, Denver, and they have much better city planners. It is a rockin' place. There are many more cities than Indy that have great downtowns, why mention them specifically? Maybe you were there for the Superbowl, which was a better one than Houston's for sure.
The earlier about the tunnels is spot on. If all of those restaurants and shops were street level, downtown would have an incredible amount of foot traffic. The second part is to increase residential housing downtown. It is very sad that Indianapolis has a much better downtown than Houston.
You are right on the money there! The underground tunnels downtown have sucked all the businesses from the street level. Until something is done to rectify this problem, Downtown Houston will never succeed in becoming a lively destination for the city and the general negative perceptions will continue to worsen. The obvious lack of residents and residential development is also another big problem. Ignoring these two things will eventually lead to an even emptier Downtown Houston in the future...shops, restaurants, skyscrapers and all. It is sad, many mid sized US cities, much, much smaller than Houston, have better, livelier central business districts.
Put it in context. Mid-sized cities don't have Uptown/Galleria, Washington Ave, Rice Village, the Texas Medical Cener, Greenway Plaza, the Heights, Richmond Avenue, the Montrose, Midtown, etc to compete with their cute little downtowns.
Downtown Houston still has a LOT of worthwhile nightlife NO MATTER what the Negative Neds and Nellies say...those unadventurous judgemental types who don't know how to have fun and just yap negative things about this great city from the safety of their keyboards. But while you Negative Nitpicks complain about anything H-town, I'm going to have a nice little urban adventure later tonight, hang out at Dirt Bar...grab some slices at Frank's (open til 3:00am) then grab a Strawberry Mocha at Minuti's.
Downtown Houston is still a cool OPTION among many areas in Houston. Midsized cities cannot compare to Houston that way.
So many chickens here. They complain about downtown Houston as if it's not some totally touristy gentrified place like Gas Lamp or Sundance Square.
(You can get killed as well just trying to drive in "nice" areas like Champions Forest with those speeding texting drivers when in search of a clean suburban spot to go imbibe!)
Problem with dtown is not enough homeless people. If we could recruit more homelss folks dtown would boom.
Downtown is an overpriced joke but that's what happens when you have Democrat govt. Houston has way too many dining options and Houstonians are very fickle when it comes to restaurants so you better have your act down pat if you want to keep the business.
Has anyone noticed that the economy also sucks huge? People don't want to pay ridiculous prices for subpar food and then pay to park. Run out the riff raff downtown and...oh nevermind, Democrat city Govt.
What does downtown over-priced restaurants have to do with a "democratic government?" If your connection is that a "democratic government" does not deal with the homeless, how is it that there are less homless people downtown now then when there was a "republican government." I am a conservative, but come on -- that is a reach. Oh, this came from Bubba...
....the group who owns them and those in the know, have known for long long time they be notorious for slow paying vendors, shit happens, but pay your f'ing bills you stupid idiots....
It's a shame. This place was awesome and maintained a good crowd and, most importantly, a great service staff. Unlike Mortons, they were open for lunch and were always my Go-to place for client lunch meetings. Their Hamburger, made from prime ground beef (presumably leftover filet meat) was superb. I'm not surprised that they had a rent dispute. CBRE has been very heavy handed since they took over and have really managed to piss off a lot of tenants with their ridiculous claims. They have to understand (as their predecessors did) that food retail is a benefit to the office retail, and that they need to least below market to keep businesses in place. Taking a loss on a steak house, especially one as esteemed as Strip House, benefits their office lease business because it's a carrot that keeps tenants happy. No amenities nearby means less rental income.
We took a group there a few weeks ago and it was near death, too bad as it was our first bad expeience after a dozen or so good times. The owners put a ton of cash at risk with the build out and I (like a few others here) applaud their effort.
Geez Louise, a restaurant closes and the discussion turns partisan.
Yes, I am surprised the closing has not been blamed on illegal immigrants.
Downtown revitalization died a few years back.
No one wants to drive downtown when you have all these "town center" popping up in the suburbs.
Having had worked downtown for more than 7 years recently, it will be another 15-20 years before living in the downtown area becomes convenient.
Everyone is getting steaks from Wal-Mart.:D
The last name Glazier in Houston is usually associated with the food distributor. The Glazier's that own Strip House are from New York. When I read the article, I thought it was the "Houston" Glazier's until I looked up the website for The Glazier Group. Sorry this happened...I liked the place.
I miss Steak and Ale. Nothing to rave about but just a decent steak for a decent price.
Thirty years ago that was my Friday night dinner place. A Kensington Club sure sounds good right about now, too.
I used to be a regular at Strip House from the time they opened. Last June, my wife and I had a special weekend downtown away from the kids, which we don't do very often. We went to Strip House expecting it to be as excellent as usual. My steak was burnt well done (ordered med rare), lobster was skunked and spoiled. Sent the steak back, but the next one must have been the last one because it was tough and not evenly cooked. No management came to address the issue even though we spent over $300 on the meal. I sent them some very polite feedback and never got a response. I guess they did not want my business. We are never rude or complainers about food or service, we just don't go back. Sorry some people are out of a job, but this place has been getting emptier and emptier over time.
You should be commended for not raising the roof under the circumstances. What goes around comes around in this case.
Those $20 baked potatos sound yummy. I'll have a half dozen to go.
I have eaten there in the past and had a pleasant experience each time.
Alison has really been slipping in picking good restaurants. Her "best of" picks close down in a year or so.
Get the hundreds of homeless out of downtown and people will come to spend money. As for a good steak made to order, the best steak is the one you yourselves grill. Cabos closed but another TexMex place will be opening in the same spot soon. I've lived downtown almost three years and I've seen them come and go.
Clean up downtown, dont allow homeless to panhandle AT ANY TIME. Dont allow them to sleep in the business district and folks will start coming downtown again.
Since there is a dearth of steakhouses now and a glut of homeless people that many find offensive, it seems logical to....EAT THE HOMELESS PEOPLE. Problems solved.
Jim, why would we do anything about homeless in downtown? I would much rather them be in your backyard than in mine. Don't like it? They were there first, hipster.
I agree.... Houston has mounted patrol during the day when there isn't that much of a need for it. The service would be better utilized from dusk till at least mid-night. To think i saw a small non-violent protest the other day which had at least 10 policemen on bikes, 4 on motorcycles, and 2 in cars..... The nature of downtown Houston is a product of mismanagement, and it's ability to thrive is a function of it. Allocate the resources appropriately and effectively towards a viable outcome with respect to security, parking, marketing, and homelessness.
I was just at this place on Thursday scoping out the joint as a potential venue for a personal event to be hosted this Saturday.
Strip House has been losing money for several years and the NY owners tried selling it. Fertitta made an offer but was rejected. On the bright side, Killens is opening another steakhouse ... in the Heights ... no more treks to Pearland.
We have regressed for attracting people downtown. The current administration as did the past sent people away with stiff parking fines and no more free parking on weekends and in some places after 6pm..... The city has also made it impossible to make a profit and thinks that businesses are an endless teat for money......Look at LA, Chicago, Denver, Dallas, Ft. Worth, San Antonio, Savannah, Atlanta....all have vibrant night life downtown......WE SHOULD BE ASKING WHY OURS IS DEAD or on Life Support?
Yet, people crowd the Theater District, Discovery Green, Market Square, Jones Plaza...
party at various clubs and bars along Caroline St./Houston Pavilions, Main St., Bayou Place and points in between! Downtown Houston is dead? I don't think so.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BADImD8dkXs
Considering so many party areas in Houston, downtown is just but one viable option.
"Life support?" LOL.
Just couldn't compete with Chick-Fil-A.It's a cruel world!
Downtown restauransts have a shelf life of 3-5 yrs. I fight traffic to go to work downtown, fight traffic to go home, wife wants to go downtown to try new restaurant, hopefully no traffic. Get downtown, dodge metro trains, look for close parking, to eat an overpriced steak in a nearly empty restaurant. Sounds like fun. We quit doing it. Too many good restaurants in our side of time without the aggravation.
That's because the customers were tired of having to valet or park 2 miles from the restaurants.
No thanks, downtown. I'll eat elsewhere.
Who in their right mind would bother going downtown for dinner anyway.
So I'm still confused? Closed because they don't like their lease terms and won't pay the rent? Everyone knows you pay until your dispute is resolved or risk eviction. Or can't/don't pay their bills?
Also, in my 15 years in Houston, this is probably what... the 100th conversation about how H has no downtown night life...yet nothing has changed neither the crowds or the arguments!?
I work for the seafood co that supplied striphouse. They owe us well over $50,000. So it wasn't only the rent they weren't paying!
who wants to pay $100.00 dollars for .50 worth of "food",unless you are one of the "in" crowd and want to be seen at the newest "in" place.
the strip, samba, exxon, nasa, united, just a long list of those moving or closing since parker was elected.
And there is a long list of restaurants and places that have closed during the time each other mayor coincidentally happened to be in office. Are you saying they're related? Ridiculous. Yeah, the federal govt made the decision to "close" NASA because of Houston's mayor. And the Strip House couldn't pay its rent or its seafood vendors because of the mayor... You sound like such an idiot.
Alison cook is no true food critic. She doesn't know good food when she eats it.
Sad about the steak house but with the economy as it is I can't say I am shocked.
Downtown LA is the place to go. You have all those winning sports teams to keep fans going downtown to spend their money. In Houston you have the minor league Astros, a basketball team bent on losing, a football team that plays 8 games at home, a soccer team thats so good the sports department of the Chron doesn't send a writer to its away games. So it makes a difference whats downtown. Houston nada, LA si.
Why did the Chronicle run a feature article on Strip House in yesterday's Sunday paper when it ran this article about its closing several days before? Left hand and right hand? Makes you look foolish.
Downtown is a great place to bicycle. Try Niko Niko's on Market Square or the Lake House at Discovery Green as a pit stop. Have you found the "red button" above Buffalo Bayou? There are so many Houston treasures downtown that you can't experience from your car window. Get outside and explore! We bicycle at all hours of the night and always feel safe. Downtown Houston is still an undiscovered playground for most Houstonians.