Houston Pavilions Adds Four New Restaurants

HOUSTON, Jan. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Houston Pavilions, the first downtown mixed-use development of its kind in 20 years, with dining, entertainment, retail and office space, today announced the second wave of high-profile restaurant openings totaling more than 21,000 square feet. New restaurants include III Forks Steakhouse, Andalucia Tapas Restaurant & Bar, Mia Bella Trattoria and Yao Restaurant and Bar.

This is the first major announcement in 2010 of restaurant openings and builds on the momentum generated by the opening of Lucky Strike Lanes and Lounge, an upscale bowling alley and entertainment venue during the fourth quarter of 2009. The 25,000-square-foot Lucky Strike Lanes and Lounge at Houston Pavilions includes 14 bowling lanes, a DJ booth, full bar and lounge, pool tables, state-of-the-art projection and sound systems, and gourmet food. The Houston location also boasts a Luxe Lounge, a VIP area with four bowling lanes and a private bar that can be booked for parties and events.

The four new restaurants include two concepts from Houston restaurateur Youssef Nafaa - Andalucia Tapas Restaurant & Bar, which offers traditional Spanish dishes, and Mia Bella Trattoria specializing in hand-made pizzas and other Italian fare.

Andalucia Tapas Restaurant & Bar serves up great food, music and entertainment. The menu includes traditional Spanish paella, hot and cold tapas, as well as selected Spanish wines from Rioja to Carmona. The weekends bring live music and Flamenco dancing on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Mia Bella Trattoria is the fourth location of this Houston favorite, serving lunches and dinners of traditional Italian cuisine with regional American twists. Wine lovers will find an extensive list of well-priced offerings, while those seeking a cocktail will find a full spectrum of classic recipes and creative mixings that set the bar menu apart.

From the family of Houston Rockets superstar Yao Ming comes Yao Restaurant and Bar, which offers an eclectic mix of Chinese dishes as well as a fresh sushi bar. Along with its extensive menu of traditional Chinese favorites, Yao Restaurant and Bar creates more than 30 sushi rolls, sushi, sashimi and sashimi appetizers. The bar mixes special Houston Rocket's inspired drinks such as Long Shot Ice Tea, Slam Dunk Sling and the Reach-in Lychee Martini.

III Forks Steakhouse, a sophisticated concept from Fort Worth, offers elegant surroundings and a robust Texas-French menu that showcases U.S.D.A. Prime steaks and fresh seafood. The menu includes hearty portions of pepper steak, sirloin, bone-in rib-eye, pecan-crusted Idaho trout, and Dover sole, as well as an impressive wine cellar with varietals from around the globe.

"We're so pleased that the dining and entertainment mix we're creating at Houston Pavilions reflects the balance we've always had in mind, and seems to be just right for those seeking something new and different," said Phil Hudson, director of marketing for Houston Pavilions. "From large venues like House of Blues and Lucky Strike Lanes to intimate treasures like Andalucia, Houston Pavilions is emerging as a destination unlike any place in the city."

Houston Pavilions brings together the best of city life in downtown Houston, offering visitors top-notch restaurants, nightclubs and retail all in an open-air center with easy access to the light rail, valet and covered parking.

Retail space and dining venues occupy the first two levels of the center, with entertainment venues located on the third floor. A central courtyard and people-friendly streetscapes allow for alfresco dining and lots of window-shopping. In the anchor positions are House of Blues, XXI Forever, Lucky Strike Lanes, and Books-A-Million. Each of the anchors is in excess of 24,000 square feet. The second and third floors of the development are connected by bridges, called the Houston Pavilion "Sky Rings," spanning Fannin and San Jacinto streets.

    For More Information:
    ---------------------
    Phil Hudson, Houston Pavilions, 832-320-1204 or [email protected]

About Houston Pavilions

Houston Pavilions is the premiere entertainment, dining, retail and office hub in downtown Houston. Bordered by Dallas Street to the north, Polk Street to the south, Main Street to the west and Caroline Street to the east and connected by two signature "Sky Rings," Houston Pavilions spans four city blocks. The pedestrian and dog-friendly, open-air retail entertainment center is comprised of 300,000 square feet of retail space, 260,000 square feet of office space and a 1,600-space parking garage. Houston Pavilions is open seven days a week: Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. Visit www.houstonpavilions.com.

SOURCE Houston Pavilions