Dish-Houston

Weingarten Realty Investors (NYSE:WRI) announced that award-winning restaurateur, renowned chef and HOUSTONIAN Michael Cordúa will open a third Américas restaurant in the River Oaks Shopping Center in the fall of 2010.

Américas River Oaks Ltd. (ARO, Ltd.) will own and operate the new restaurant, which embodies the culinary contrasts that Cordúa is famous for – authentic Latin ingredients from the Americas paired with classical and contemporary culinary techniques.

The River Oaks Américas will be a second-floor, 9,150-square-foot restaurant, featuring an elevated bar area and private event spaces. It will be a highlight of the newly redeveloped northwest corner of the center, located at the intersection of Shepherd and West Gray. The new venue will continue the design partnership between Cordúa and acclaimed architect Jordan Mozer, creator of some of the world’s most photographed restaurants and hotels.

Restaurateur and chef Michael Cordúa is a past recipient of the Robert Mondavi Award for Culinary Excellence. Américas has garnered accolades from Food & Wine, Esquire, Texas Monthly and Continental magazines.

“Cordúa’s restaurants are some of the most innovative and beloved in all of Houston,” said Patty Bender, senior vice president for Weingarten Realty. “We’re thrilled they have chosen to open their third Américas location at River Oaks Shopping Center.” “River Oaks Shopping Center continues to be one of the city’s most favored neighborhood shopping and entertainment destinations. Over the past few months, we’ve unveiled a number of exciting changes to further enhance the experience for our tenants and shoppers, including the completion of our northwest corner redevelopment, the opening of Barnes & Noble as well as a number of other new retail stores in the center,” added Bender.

 Welcome Americas!!