This building at 3951 San Felipe, just west of Willowick, may have started out as a gas station, but it’s also spent time as a cleaners and most recently was a bank. Since its soft opening last week, it’s been Relish Fine Foods, a small new market for the River Oaks crowd, specializing in natural and seasonal gourmet food, with shout-outs to local vendors. There’s still plenty of room to fill the wide-open 2,300-sq.-ft. interior with more merchandise, reports photographer Candace Garcia. (More than the current deli and olive bars may show up before the official opening next week.) But where better to start a little Houston grocery that supports the slow food movement than in this drive-up-friendly grab-and-go location? Parking-lot-facing sandwich munchers, there’s even a marble bar set up along the west front of the building set up just for you:
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- Purity and Proximity [Relish]
- Inc. Spot: A smorgasbord for foodies [River Oaks Examiner]
- Slow food rising: You’ll Relish this new neighborhood market [Culturemap]
Photos: Candace Garcia; also construction photos
Not exactly an efficient way to use some very expensive square footage.
The Rice Epicurean at the next intersection south is just as easy to dash into, and those shelves look very similar to the five-kinds-of-gourmet-jam-but-no-staples displays at the short-lived McCain’s Market (where Revival is now). But good luck to them.
The folks I know who have tried the food say it’s kick ass.
Is this a restaurant/bar/brewery blog now?
The restaurant/bar/brewery news probably drives much more traffic than the daily demolitions. Who isn’t interested in seeing what new establishments pop up in the areas where they live and work?
Saw this while driving by a few days back and just as I thought I might stop the car to take a peek, my wallet leapt from my pocket in a cold sweat and ran screaming all the way to Whole Paycheck.
Soon to be… former corner grocery.
If swamplot is any indication, I believe a blog dedicated solely to Houston grocery store news would be very popular.
I disagree, I think the rich people who live directly behind and around this will love walking over to catch a quick bite or take away for dinner. I love the high concept “slow food” places popping up. I hope to see more like it across our fine city!
pesto pasta salad is awesome. great lunch spot for those who office near the galleria :)