Each Friday, Gastronaut rounds up the most notable opening and closing of the week.

As further evidence for our theory that nightlife on Washington Avenue is being phased out in favor of a revitalized dining scene, we present the following facts: Winston's on Washington, a bar that opened in late 2012, recently closed. Graffiti's at Union St., a new restaurant, has opened. And work on the planned B&R Butchers, a retail butcher shop and steakhouse moving into the renovated Dittman building close to Houston Ave., is progressing daily. (Update: We have learned that Winston's is not closed; no explanation as to why its phone was disconnected or its website removed.)

Graffiti's at Union St.
2003 Union St.
713-869-7000
grafittisburger.com

Meanwhile, closer to downtown, Graffiti's has finally started serving its signature menu of burgers, steaks, and chops after many months of renovation to the structure at 2003 Union St. that was originally built in 1925 and stood vacant for years. Reaction on sites like Yelp has been strongly positive so far, with diners praising Graffiti's from-scratch banana pudding and baked mac 'n' cheese as much as its main plates. But perhaps the nightlife scene on Washington Avenue isn't so much disappearing as morphing into something calmer, something that doesn't spill into the streets at 2:05 a.m. After all, along with other nearby newcomers like Big Eyed Fish and Urban Eats, Graffiti's sports an extensive selection adult beverages from cocktails to craft beer—though all three spots close by 10 p.m. during the week and midnight on weekends.

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