Here are eight fine dining restaurants near Downtown Houston that will be open on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. This list is not comprehensive, and details are subject to change.

Trattoria Sofia: The Houston Heights restaurant serves authentic, rustic Italian food in an intimate, romantic setting, with a focus on seasonal items and fresh ingredients. Popular pastas include the cacio e pepe, lamb ragu and shrimp scampi.

• Open 4-9 p.m. on Christmas Eve
• 911 W. 11th St., Houston

B&B Butchers: The fine-dining steakhouse on Washington Avenue will be open Christmas Eve, serving Royal White Sturgeon Caviar, Snake River Farms Pork Chop and brisket ravioli.

• Open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. on Christmas Eve 
• 1814 Washington Ave., Houston

Remi
The restaurant at Hotel Granduca is hosting a festive, family-style feast with sparkling bubbles, gourmet dishes and seasonal treats.

• Open 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. on Christmas Day
• 1080 Uptown Park Blvd., Houston

Houston City Council approved $750,000 more for the about $5.2 million restoration of The African American Library at the Gregory School—located at 1300 Victor St. in Houston's Fourth Ward—during its regular Dec. 17 meeting.

Two-minute impact: City Council approved an additional $750,000 for the city’s contract with builder Anslow Bryant Construction, which was selected for the library restoration project in April 2023.

In 2017, The African American Library was damaged by Hurricane Harvey as wind and rain penetrated the building's exterior. The city’s project includes:

• Repairing the building’s roofing and windows
• Upgrading the building's heating, ventilation and air conditioning system
• Restoring some interior and exterior elements

Frontier Airlines has added three new nonstop routes out of George Bush Intercontinental Airport, airline officials announced in a Dec. 18 news release.

The details: Per the release, the new nonstop routes include IAH to:

• La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City, Guatemala, beginning Dec. 18
• El Salvador International Airport in Comalapa, El Salvador, beginning Dec. 19
• Ramón Villeda Morales International Airport in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, beginning Dec. 20

• Guatemala: $49
• El Salvador: $59
• Honduras: $49

With vendors across Harris County starting consumer fireworks sales Dec. 21 ahead of the holiday and new year, Harris County Fire Marshal officials are reminding residents to follow safety protocols and proper disposal guidelines.

Quote of note: “Fireworks are allowed in unincorporated Harris County, but there are areas that fireworks are not allowed in unincorporated Harris County,” HCFMO Public Information Officer Brandi Dumas said. “Our message is always safety first.”

What residents should know: The fire marshal’s office recommended some of the following tips:

• Follow the law and be sure fireworks are legal in your community and with your homeowners association
• Make sure there is a bucket of water or water source nearby for emergencies
• Soak used fireworks prior to disposing of them in the trash