Royal 38 to Class Up Katy Trail With Fancy Toasts and Bourbon Cocktails

Heads up, frequent Katy Trail joggers: Unlike, say, the Katy Trail Ice House, the newest restaurant to hit the popular running and biking path may require you to wear something a bit nicer than Lululemon leggings. The upscale Royal 38 is set to open in Spring 2016 at 3403 N. Fitzhugh (a few blocks down from Komali and Salum) with shareable plates and a sommelier on staff.

The eclectic menu displays some decidedly Asian influences with items like salt-and-pepper chicken skins with chili, peanuts, and Thai vinaigrette; Vietnamese pork ribs; and Asian pork buns. There's also the requisite burger — this one topped with bacon jam — plus steak with truffle fries, veal cheeks, and a rotating selection of the oh-so-trendy fancy toasts adorned with toppings like Brie, onion jam, and apple.

An outdoor garden and patio area will offer scenic views of all the sweaty people traversing the Katy Trail. Royal 38's website also promises that it's made a "substantial sound proofing investment" so as not to disturb the neighbors — an issue that the aforementioned Ice House has run aground of numerous times.