Coffee cocktails are also available at Harold's. Pictured: the walnut espresso martini (Courtesy photo)

Breakfast pastries by Cake & Bacon are now available at Harold's Tap Room. (Courtesy photo)

Are you ready for all-you-can-eat pies at Pi Pizza? (Photo by Julie Soefer)

Pineapple upside down cake is only one of Snooze's whimsical pancake flavors. (Photo by Ashley Davis Photography)

Balls Out Burger is now serving in the Heights. (Photo by Trevor Gerland)

The Houston restaurant scene is constantly changing, with new hotspots, tough-luck closings, must-try places, and major culinary events. Even the most dedicated foodie can have trouble keeping up, but don’t worry, PaperCity has you covered.

High-Rise Eats

Upscale Japanese steak, seafood, and sushi concept Roka Akor’s first Houston location opens on the ground floor of 40-story luxury high-rise 2929 Weslayan on June 26. What can Houstonians expect fro the Arizona-based Japanese restaurant?

For starters, Roka carries three varieties of certified Japanese Wagyu: Kobe from Tajima, Miyazaki from Kyushu Island, and Shiga from Hokkaido. (Prime American cuts will also be on hand.) The restaurant will also showcase exotic, rare fish that is flown in daily.

More than 200 wines, 60 sakes, and a bevy of whimsical cocktails round out the menu.

Home of the Humble Burger

No frills burgers are now available in The Heights via the newly opened Balls Out Burger at 1603 North Durham Drive. The brainchild of Ireland native and restaurateur Ian Tucker, the new burger joint with the distinctive name specializes in humble burgers fashioned with merely three ingredients: 44 Farms ground beef, American cheese, and Amish potato rolls made by Houston’s own Slow Dough Bakery.

In fact, the restaurant is so committed to its no frills philosophy that the menu features only four burger options: a single and double hamburger alongside a single and double cheeseburger. Also on the Balls Out menu: a trio of fries — shoe string, hand cut, and sweet potato alongside chocolate and vanilla milkshakes made with Amy’s Ice Cream.

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T-Rex

James Beard award-winning chef Justin Yu has unveiled the name of the new Houston restaurant that will take the place of his acclaimed Oxheart (1302 Nance Street), which Yu closed earlier this year. Lookout for Theodore Rex later this year, which will be manned by chef de cuisine Jason White.

A New Drafthouse Hits Spring

Tapped Drafthouse & Kitchen gives Spring residents another craft beer hang out at 20444 Kuykendahl Road. The newly opened bar and restaurant touts a 50-tap-wall of rotating brews and ciders alongside an extensive wine list showcasing exclusively Texas vineyards.



The outpost also features a lunch and dinner menu, with highlights including Buffalo bacon macaroni and cheese, Bavarian soft pretzels, signature pizzas, chicken wings, a variety of salads and more.

Snooze #2

Snooze, an A.M. Eatery’s second Houston location is now open in Town & Country Village at 600 West Sam Houston Parkway North. The Denver-based concept specializes in all things breakfast, touting whimsical dishes such as pineapple upside down pancakes and breakfast pot pie.

Coffee Craze

Siphon Coffee owner Michael Caplan unveiled his second java haunt, Cavo Coffee, on the ground floor of the new Regions Financial Center at 3773 Richmond Avenue. An extensive coffee menu, beer and wine, hearty toasts, and grab-and-go meals await.

New Roll Outs

Harold’s Tap Room adds breakfast and coffee to its diverse bar offerings. The outpost, which sits on the ground floor of Harold’s Restaurant, Bar, and Terrace, will now serve a bevy of coffee drinks and coffee cocktails alongside breakfast pastries provided by Cake & Bacon, various A.M. dishes, salads, and pizzas.

The tap room will also showcase an updated cocktail menu as well as beer, wine, and other savory bites. Harold’s Tap Room, 350 West 19th Street.

Pi Pizza unveils unlimited pizza every Tuesday from 5 to 10 pm. The All-You-Can-Eat Pizza and Salad deal will only set you back $13.99. Pi Pizza, 181 Heights Boulevard.

Closings

After five years in business, Jerry Built Homegrown Burgers closed its doors for good. The local restaurant chain, which was known for its natural, hormone-free beef and chicken, has shuttered its West University, Memorial, and Woodlands locations.