Luxe Steakhouse at Woodlands Now Targeting October Opening

We learned more about the plans for Luxe Steakhouse & Cellar during a conversation at Havana Country Club Restaurant this week.

While dining at Havana, we spoke with Joseph Suleiman, whose family operates several restaurants in The Villages. The conversation turned to Luxe, the new steakhouse planned for Woodlands Championship Golf Course.

The restaurant had previously been expected to open in August. Joseph told us the current target is now the first or second week of October.

That is still a target rather than a confirmed opening date, and construction timelines can change. For now, though, it gives Villagers a more specific window than we had before.

Luxe Steakhouse & Cellar Will Be Relatively Small

One detail that stood out was the size of the restaurant.

Joseph said Luxe will have roughly 90 to 100 seats. That would make it a relatively intimate dining room compared with some of the larger restaurants around The Villages.

He also described a service style that puts more emphasis on tableside preparation. Some steaks are expected to be prepared or finished at the table, and Bananas Foster is also planned as a tableside dessert.

We won’t know exactly how that translates to the dining experience until Luxe opens, but it gives us a clearer picture of what the restaurant is planning.

More Details About the Steaks

Joseph also talked about the beef Luxe plans to serve.

He said the restaurant intends to source its steaks through a supplier in Chicago and emphasized that the quality of the beef is an important part of the concept.

That adds to previously announced plans for Luxe, which have included dry-aged steaks and steaks cut in-house.

Menu Testing Is Already Underway

We also heard that some preparation for the Luxe menu is already taking place.

Friends who were dining with us said they had recently eaten at Red Sauce, where they encountered Luxe menu testing and staff training.

One of them tried a Wagyu strip steak being tested for Luxe. That’s a secondhand account rather than something we tried ourselves, but it offers a small glimpse at the work happening before the restaurant opens.

Joseph also discussed steak preferences with the group and said he personally tends to favor more tender cuts.

The October Opening Is Still a Target

For now, the most useful update is the timing.

According to Joseph, Luxe Steakhouse & Cellar is currently targeting the first or second week of October. A firm opening date has not yet been confirmed, so that window could still move.

We’ll continue watching the Woodlands location and update this story when there is a confirmed opening date or other meaningful change.