Spring is well known as an exciting and busy time in the Houston food scene. The weather is arguably the best we'll see all year, and people are ready to get out there and try new restaurants, whether it's a spin on a classic stand-by or something that taps into Houston's more eclectic and very diverse food scene offerings. Live-fire Basque cuisine, anyone? Patio enthusiasts take note – read on for a list of ten new places to try.
Annabelle Brasserie
811 Buffalo Park Drive #100, Houston, TX 77019
This all-day French restaurant (photo above) is the anchor establishment of Autry Park, located within scenic Buffalo Bayou Park. It features a sunroom and upstairs and downstairs patios. The decor is stylish, with internationally sourced antiques and a ceiling lined by a canopy of flowers. The menu offers a wide range of French cuisine, from heartier dishes, such as braised beef short ribs or a lobster omelet, to pain au chocolate and coffee offerings. Check out the brunch service or special events (Mother's Day reservations are available now).
Bar Bludorn
9061 Gaylord Drive, Houston, TX 77024
Newly opened on March 29 in Hedwig Village in the Memorial area, Bar Bludorn, chef Aaron Bludorn's third restaurant, bills itself as "Memorial's new upscale tavern" and channels the cozy neighborhood bar vibe with plenty of deep browns and hunter green in the walls and furniture. The menu includes Southern comfort favorites with unique spins, such as pork chops with ancho marinade or fried chicken served with peanut butter gravy, and shareable plates to promote the family dining atmosphere. Pick an evening (hours are 5 pm to 9:30 pm) to try a well-crafted cocktail off the bar menu, like Rubino Rosso (photo above), infused with Ketel One Botanical Vodka, Campari, peppercorn, lavender, and Lagunitas Hop Water. Enjoy a foie gras candy bar or a lemon poppy seed ice cream sandwich filled with ricotta and blueberry jam for dessert.
Baso
633 W 19th Street, Houston, TX 77008
Open for dinner service in The Heights, this live-fire Basque cuisine restaurant highlights locally sourced Texas ingredients and offers caviar service, bread service, and a wide array of small dishes. Baso is the Basque word for "forest," and as one of the chef duo behind the restaurant explains, about 99 percent of their products touch fire. This restaurant's goal is to focus on high-quality ingredients with simple plating, preferring to let the flavors of the food speak for itself.
Cocody
1971 West Gray Street, Houston, TX 77019
Prestigious, decadent, stunning view—all come up as descriptors for Cocody, a new French restaurant located in River Oaks. It is open for all meals. Try brunch for Patagonia salmon with spinach souffle, lobster deviled eggs, or a mini baguette basket. Take decision-making out of the process and be surprised and delighted by trying the Discovery Menu, a curated four-course tasting menu. Check out the special Mother's Day menu and make a reservation today.
Comalito
2520 Airline Drive, Houston, TX 77009
Located in the Houston Farmers Market, Comalito is inspired by famous Mexico City taquerias and named after the process of cooking corn tortillas on a comal. The Comalito tortilla is made of heirloom corn and a labor of love, a unique offering per this restaurant's website. Come for tacos, quesadillas, alambres, or parilla (iron-grilled barbecue) along with a carajillo, mojito, or tres leches to round out a full and delicious meal.
Conservatory Galleria
5353 W Alabama Street Suite 100, Houston, TX 77056
This former nightclub space is now a food hall! Come spend some time at this fanciest of food courts and visit several times, as restaurant offerings include 11 unique vendors and two bar concepts, including a cocktail lounge influenced by the former Roxy Room. Restaurants include Bird Haus's hot chicken concept, Cvche Kitchen (Peruvian), Blk Mkt Birria, Rollin Phatties (Pakistani street food), and Clutch City Grill.
Duchess Uptown Park
1131 Uptown Park Blvd., Suite 1, Houston, TX 77056
This vibrant restaurant mixes modern with Victorian design. Its menu is centered around coastal fusion, featuring Mediterranean and South American-inspired lunch and dinner plates: peach and pistachio burrata, red snapper crudo, and wood-fired skewers including beef ribeye, Atlantic salmon, tiger prawn, and portobello mushroom. Sample something from the extensive and creative cocktail and wine menu in this colorful, contemporary, casual dining space.
Late August
4201 Main Street, Suite 120, Houston, TX 77002
Late August is the anchor restaurant within the Ion development, a multi-use structure repurposing the old Sears building in Midtown. The restaurant's name is a nod to the original Sears department store, utilizing a mid-century modern aesthetic and tapping into the excitement of late summer's catalog of new items. This Lucille Hospitality Group restaurant will take a cross-cultural approach to the menu, featuring gumbo, Texas Caesar salad, half rack with plantain, and citrus pork confit with greens masa.
PostScript
2800 Kirby Drive, Suite A-132, Houston, TX 77098
Prepare for pink, a lot of pink, and a lot of champagne at this lounge and restaurant situated in the former Del Frisco's Grille location in the Shops at Arrive River Oaks. Think plush pink seating, installation art, bright light fixtures, and a spacious dining room capable of seating almost 400, as well as an outdoor garden patio. Get your buzzy brunch on, check out the dinner service, and order a seafood tower for a group, a snake river Wagyu filet for yourself, or a luxurious dessert platter for up to four people, specially designed for chocolate lovers. Before your visit, be sure to check the website for the dress code, photography policy, and reservation recommendations.
Tsujita Artisan Noodle
12230 Westheimer Road A-160, Houston, TX 77077
As of March 2nd, this newest US location is open for lunch and dinner. It is first come, first served, and reservations are not required. Noodles abound in this newest US location. This noodle house's menu, which originated in Japan, also features nourishing rice bowls and buns, along with ramen or tsukemen. Tskukemen is a ramen dish consisting of noodles dipped in a separate bowl of hot and savory broth, perfect for those in denial of the rising temperatures.
From down-home neighborhood taverns to trendy food halls, there's something on this list of new restaurants to pique anyone's curious palette this spring. Make plans today to try one and bring your friends to enjoy the view.
Discover more new restaurants in Houston and explore our diverse food scene.
Photos: Courtesy of restaurants mentioned in this post.
