Costa Fina Latin Coastal Kitchen, located at 26435 Kuykendahl Road in The Woodlands, Texas, has closed its doors after nearly a year in operation.

The restaurant, part of the Orioli Restaurant Group, aimed to bring the vibrant flavors of Latin coastal cuisine to the area, drawing inspiration from countries such as Peru, Ecuador, Mexico, and Venezuela.

Despite the innovative menu and high anticipation at its opening, the concept did not resonate with the local community as expected. In a statement, the Orioli Restaurant Group expressed, "While we believed in the potential of bringing the vibrant flavors of Latin coastal cuisine to The Woodlands, despite our best efforts, the response has not been as strong as we hoped."

The group has decided to refocus on its core Italian dining concepts, which have been well-received in the community. Their portfolio includes restaurants such as Marcoza Trattoria, Terra Vino Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar, Via Emilia Italian Restaurant, and Azzurro Italian Coastal Cuisine.

The lease for the Costa Fina location will be transferred to a "well-loved and established restaurant concept" familiar to the community, though specific details have not been disclosed.

The Orioli Restaurant Group, a third-generation family-owned business, has a rich history in the culinary scene, particularly in Italian cuisine. Their commitment to crafting exceptional dining experiences remains steadfast as they continue to serve the community through their Italian restaurant concepts.

For more information on the Orioli Restaurant Group and their dining establishments, visit their official website.

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Community Impact: https://buff.ly/4j6cS4p
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La Madeleine French Café, a beloved French-style bistro known for its all-day breakfast, sandwiches, soups, and salads, has closed its Market Street location in The Woodlands. This closure occurred on January 1, 2025, coinciding with the closure of other La Madeleine locations in San Antonio and Salt Lake City.

The Market Street location was a popular spot for both locals and visitors, offering a cozy atmosphere and a menu inspired by French cuisine. The closure has left a noticeable gap in the local dining scene, as many patrons cherished the café's offerings and ambiance.

While the Market Street location has closed, La Madeleine still operates two other locations in the Houston area: one in Conroe and another in Spring. These establishments continue to serve the brand's signature dishes and maintain the French-inspired dining experience that La Madeleine is known for.

The closure of the Market Street location is part of a broader trend affecting several La Madeleine cafés across the country. For instance, the original San Antonio location, which had been operating for 32 years, also closed recently. CultureMap San Antonio

For those in The Woodlands area seeking similar dining experiences, the Conroe and Spring locations offer the full La Madeleine menu. Additionally, other local French-inspired cafés and bistros may provide comparable options.

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Woodlands Online: https://buff.ly/3Pnqr1Q

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TRIS, a staple of The Woodlands dining scene, has closed its doors permanently following the resignation of its Executive Chef, Austin Simmons. Effective January 2, the closure was confirmed through OpenTable notifications sent to customers with upcoming reservations, reading, “Due to Chef Austin’s resignation, we had to cancel your upcoming reservation(s). TRIS is now permanently closed.”

A subsequent statement on the restaurant’s Instagram account thanked the community for its unwavering support and acknowledged TRIS as a cherished "culinary destination in The Woodlands."

Established in 2018 at 24 Waterway Avenue and named after Simmons’ daughter, TRIS quickly became synonymous with exceptional dining in the Houston area. The restaurant’s inventive steak and seafood offerings earned it repeated recognition on the Houston Chronicle’s Top 100 Restaurants list, solidifying its reputation as one of the region’s premier establishments.

Chef Austin Simmons played a pivotal role in TRIS’s success, bringing his culinary expertise to both the restaurant and other ventures, such as the menu redesign for Black Walnut Café. Simmons’ influence extended beyond The Woodlands, with appearances at prominent food festivals and competitions. In 2023, TRIS gained national attention when podcaster Joe Rogan described his dining experience there as “one of the best meals I’ve ever had in my life.”

TRIS’s location had a storied history, previously housing Hubbell & Hudson Bistro and Cureight, Simmons’ exclusive tasting menu concept. While TRIS has ceased operations, Woodlands Hospitality Group encourages patrons to continue supporting its other ventures, including The Kitchen and Black Walnut Café.

In its farewell message, TRIS management reflected on its legacy: “The closure of TRIS is a moment to celebrate the hard work of our dedicated staff, the partnerships with local suppliers, and, most importantly, the loyalty of our patrons who made TRIS a beloved part of this community.”

The unexpected closure leaves a void in The Woodlands’ culinary landscape, marking the end of an era for a restaurant that stood as a testament to innovation and excellence in dining.

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The Woodlands Student Center: https://buff.ly/3W1SA1W
TRIS: https://buff.ly/4gAT7jR
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Houston Food Finder: https://buff.ly/3VZOS9h

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𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗦𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀, a fast-casual cheeseburger chain co-founded by former NFL quarterback Drew Brees, has expanded into Texas with its first location in Willis, north of Conroe. The restaurant, known for its cooked-to-order sliders served from modular "cans" resembling shipping containers, officially opened on January 4, 2025. Woodlands Online

The Willis location is part of a broader expansion plan in the Houston area. Franchise operators Lisa Albert and Steve Cavaliere have committed to opening five Smalls Sliders restaurants in the region, targeting areas such as Pasadena, Baytown, Mont Belvieu, Summerwood, Deer Park, and East Houston.

Additionally, entrepreneur Matthew Wiggins has signed an agreement to open six units in Southeast Houston over the next five years, with the first slated to open in 2025. Potential locations include Pearland, League City, Galveston, Kemah, Texas City, and Friendswood.

Smalls Sliders, founded in 2019 by Brandon Landry and backed by Drew Brees, has been rapidly expanding, with over 350 locations open or under development nationwide. The chain specializes in cheeseburger sliders with options for double meat, bacon additions, and loaded fries, along with milkshake flavors like vanilla, chocolate, and cookies and cream.

The company's entry into the Houston market reflects its strategy to grow in Texas, with plans for additional locations in Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, Lubbock, New Braunfels, and Tyler.

For more information about Smalls Sliders and their menu offerings, visit their official website. https://buff.ly/3PhT1lf

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QSR Web: https://buff.ly/4fyjHst
Houston Business Jornals: https://buff.ly/3W1HOsJ

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