Houston's Thriving Dining Scene - New Additions
Gulf Coast gastronomy goes global
It's time to reveal a secret: Despite its diverse and thriving food scene, Houston has largely flown under the national radar–but no longer if we can help it. Here are four new restaurants that offer clear proof that Houston is coming into its own.
• El Real After months of anticipation, the old theater on Westheimer has reopened as a Tex-Mex throwback as interpreted by wunderkind chef Bryan Caswell and former food critic Robb Walsh. Stop by for a tomato-flecked bowl of queso, a stacked enchilada with chili con carne or a fully loaded plate of tacos al carbon. After dinner, head upstairs for a tour of Tex-Mex memorabilia.
• Revival Market The new Revival Market is a temple of local eats. Find humanely raised meats, farmstead cheeses, seasonal produce and delicious prepared foods such as meat loaf and the Revival dog, a house-made Mangalitsa pork hot dog with chicharrones and green-tomato relish on a pretzel bun.
• Pondicheri The team behind Indika, a Houston stalwart, is bringing classic Indian street food indoors at this new café. Enjoy menu items such as saag paneer samosas, goat biryani and a rotating daily dal in the gorgeous jewel-toned space. And soon, you'll be able to take it to go in a shiny stacked tiffin that's perfect for return visits.
• Melange Creperie Sean Carroll, the man behind this roving cart, fell in love with crêpes while honeymooning in Paris. He then taught himself to make them with the help of YouTube videos. His ever-changing menu includes such recent specials as local strawberries with Meyer lemon curd, Bosc pear with goat cheese and chard, and ham and egg with Gruyère.