Food News: The Woodlands Welcomes Killen's Steakhouse

The interior of the new Woodlands location of Killen's Steakhouse.
Image: Dragana Harris
Finally, Ronnie Killen has arrived in the woodlands. Killen’s Steakhouse, at 1700 Research Forest Drive, is now open. Those up north can expect the same fare seen at the original Killen’s Steakhouse in Pearland, from cuts of USDA Prime beef to wagyu, and from chicken fried steak to cherry-habanero-glazed pork belly, as well as familiar sides like creamed corn and desserts like croissant creme brulee bread pudding. The steakhouse also has more than 700 wine labels, priced from $35 to $3,000, along with a large whiskey list. It’s open 5-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 5-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday. Happy hour will come after, and The Woodlands location will also have lunch service.
Taste of Memorial City is this weekend, taking place 4-6 p.m. Saturday at the Lawn at Memorial City. Now, before you ask, tickets are sold out. But you can still make a donation to Memorial Assistance Ministries, which helps people recover from emergency situations. If you are going, know that you’ll get food from more than 30 restaurants and chefs, tasting sessions from both brewmasters and winemakers, live music, and a culinary market.
If Netflix’s “Street Food” has been on your radar, here’s another reason why you might want to get to it: Houston’s Nikki Tran will be featured on it. Tran, who was seen on some other high-profile food series (Ugly Delicious, Somebody Feed Phil), is part of the episode centered on Vietnam. And to celebrate that appearance, Tran is hosting a screening at her Kau Ba Saigon on May 8. She’ll feature her favorite street foods for dinner, while cocktails will be half-price. The event starts at 5 p.m.
Keep an eye on Bumpy Pickle. This is a sand volleyball and pickleball facility aimed to open at 54 Lockwood Drive in the East End. The project is eyeing investment crowdfunding via NextSeed, and promises to include 16 courts for volleyball, 10 courts for pickleball, a restaurant, and a bar. Food is likely to include fajitas, plus various small plates, while margaritas and martinis will also be served.
Hey fans of the Boardwalk at Towne Lake in Cypress: Ambriza, which has a location in the Vintage Lake area, is coming your way. Set to open in July, Ambriza offers street food, fajitas, quesadillas, tacos, traditional interior Mexican dishes, and more.
Sad news, per Houston Food Finder: Big Star Bar will close soon. Nobody knows exactly when, but the landlord is selling the property, and once someone buys it, that'll be the end.
Finally, huge honors for two Houston restaurants. GQ, per food writer Brett Martin, named Georgia James and Indigo two of his best new restaurants in America for 2019. This writer understands the plaudits; congratulations to both Chris Shepherd and Jonny Rhodes.