Here are nine restaurants to keep an eye out for in 2026, as previously reported by Community Impact. This list is not comprehensive, and details are subject to change.

Recess: The new business will feature supervised kids' play areas on the first floor and a full-service bistro and bar on the second floor, according to the establishment’s website.

Recess will have two primary play areas: one supervised by staff and one by parents. Children who are potty-trained will be eligible to play in the staff-supervised area, while younger toddlers and infants will play under parental supervision.

• Opening early 2026
• 1500 Waugh Drive, Ste. 150, Houston

Escalante's: In an Oct. 13 news release, officials with Radom Capital announced that Escalante's will be one of the first two restaurant tenants to be located inside the historic Swift Building development. The restaurant serves authentic Tex-Mex dishes, including brisket queso, fajitas, enchiladas, street tacos and quesadillas, as well as weekend brunch.

• Opening fall 2026
• 621 Waverly St., Houston

High-end women's boutique Altuzarra is now open in the River Oaks District, according to a Dec. 2 announcement from the luxury retail center.

At a glance: The 2,300-square-foot boutique marks Altuzarra's first Houston location, with a dedicated VIP fitting room for personalized shopping and ready-to-wear collections, per the release.

What they offer: Founded in 2008 by French American designer Joseph Altuzarra, the brand specializes in luxury women's clothing, handbags and other accessories "defined by a modern, feminine and polished aesthetic," per the release.

• 4444 Westheimer Road, Ste. C120, Houston

As the holidays come to an end, there are several entities offering Christmas tree recycling and disposal drop-offs around the Greater Houston area. This list is not comprehensive.

The details
City of Bellaire: Bellaire will accept Christmas tree drop-offs Dec. 26-Jan. 12 at 4401 Edith St.

City of Houston: Houston residents can recycle trees at one of the city's 20 drop-off locations Dec. 26-Jan. 23.

City of Pearland: Residents in Pearland can drop their live Christmas trees off between Dec. 26 and Jan. 17 at the Stella Roberts Recycling Center.

San Jacinto River Authority: The San Jacinto River Authority will collect undecorated, live Christmas trees through Jan. 31.

City of West University Place: In West University Place, live trees will be collected Dec. 26-Jan. 9.

The Woodlands Township: Green Christmas trees will be collected curbside on regular service days.

City of Sugar Land: Live Christmas trees without ornaments and lights can be set out curbside for green waste pickup in Sugar Land.

After years of being locked in a standstill, planners of the Coastal Texas Project announced the approval of two engineering design contracts.

The details: The Gulf Coast Protection District announced Dec. 2 that it had approved two contracts with global engineering firms Jacobs and HDR to design the gates, beaches and dunes portions of the initially authorized $34 billion project, respectively.

Why it matters: The gates are expected to be the world’s largest flood gate system when built and will be located along the 2-mile-wide waterway between Galveston Island and Bolivar Peninsula. The dune system will strengthen coastal barriers against storm impact along the Bolivar Peninsula and West Galveston Island, according to a news release.