It’s been a very good year for foodies in Houston. Here’s our take on the best new restaurants in Houston in 2017 (so far), based on our first looks, restaurant reviews, and breaking news about openings and closings.
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In January we reviewed Steak 48 at 4444 Westheimer in the River Oaks District. Food writer Cuc Lam was pleased with the steaks and the raw bar. -
In January we reviewed The Pit Room, 1201 Richmond. Food writer Nicholas L. Hall declared it a bright light in Houston barbecue. -
We took a first look at Beaver’s West, 6025 Westheimer, in January. Food writer Cuc Lam discovered that the bar is simply badass, and found the buffalo cauliflower a surprise hit. -
In January we reviewed Pepper Twins, 1915 West Gray. Food writer Cuc Lam noted that the rectangular masterpiece known as the Soft Square Bacon was one of the standouts. -
In February we reviewed Rise No. 2, 1700 Post Oak Boulevard. Food writer Cuc Lam came to appreciate the artistry of their soufflés. -
We took a first look at One Fifth Steak, 1658 Westheimer, in February. Food writer Mai Pham found the wet-aged beef impeccably done. The Montrose-area restaurant closes/closed July 31 for the first of its five planned incarnations, reopening as One-Fifth Romance Languages on September 1. -
In February we reviewed Sozo Sushi & Lounge, 1700 Post Oak Boulevard. Food writer Cuc Lam recommended the crispy calamari and the nabeyaki udon. -
In March we reviewed Brasserie 1895, 607 South Friendswood Drive. Food writer Cuc Lam told us that the restaurant does a fantastic job of pairing a selected list of fine wine and interesting craft brews with its eclectic offerings. -
In March we reviewed Eloise Nichols Grill & Liquors, 2400 Mid Lane. Food writer Mai Pham recommended the chocolate cake and the Texas-raised beefsteak. -
In April we reviewed Maba Pan-Asian Diner, 510 Gray. Food writer Cuc Lam found the papaya salad a harmonious mingling of Vietnamese and Southeast Asian flavors. -
In April we reviewed Lim’s Chicken, 10603 Bellaire. Food writer Cuc Lam reported that the Korean fried chicken meets the standard when it comes to a good fried chicken. -
We took a first look at Pinch Seafood & Bar, 10510 Northwest Freeway, in April. Food writer Cuc Lam was wowed by the inventiveness of the Pinch sliders, which tucked three angus beef patties inside a Chinese pork bao. -
We took a first look at Yauatcha, 5045 Westheimer, in April. Food writer Erika Kwee reported that this modern Cantonese dim sum teahouse boasts a varied menu of steamed, baked, grilled and fried dim sum. -
We took a first look at Hamburger Mary’s, 2409 Grant, in May. Food writer Cuc Lam noted that this San Francisco-based LGBT-friendly restaurant known for its weekly special events does Houston’s Montrose community proud. -
We took a first look at Riel, 1927 Fairview, in February. Food editor Gwendolyn Knapp declared the Montreal smoked meat plate awe-inducing. -
In May we reviewed Nobie’s, 2048 Colquitt. Food writer Cuc Lam wrote that dining at Nobie’s is like going over to one of your coolest friends’ house, sharing drinks, staying for dinner and listening to his records while y’all talk all night. -
In May we reviewed Rice Box – Heights, 300 West 20th. Food writer Cuc Lam recommended the curry fried rice with shrimp. -
In May we reviewed Field & Tides Restaurant & Bar, 705 East 11th. Food writer Cuc Lam reported that the seafood dishes by chef/owner Travis Lenig were remarkable, and would go back for the pimento cheese fritters. -
In June we reviewed Ramen Tatsu-ya, 1722 California. Food writer Cuc Lam recommended the hush piggies and the tsukemen ramen with the fire-in-a-bowl bomb. -
We took a first look at Ohn Korean Eatery, 9630 Clarewood, in June. Food writer Cuc Lam told us that this soju and food bar is off to a great start. -
In June we reviewed Kiran’s, 2925 Richmond. Food writer Erika Kwee recommended the pear and arugula naan and the tender, juicy crab samosas. -
We took a first look at Helen in the Heights, 1111 Studewood, in June. Food writer Erika Kwee tried the greens-and-cheese pie and reported that the filling was incredibly rich. -
In June we reported that Snooze, an A.M. Eatery, finally opened at 600 West Sam Houston Parkway North. -
In January we reviewed Cane Rosso, 1835 North Shepherd. Food writer Nicholas L. Hall reported that this Dallas import delivers real and lasting “pizza love.” -
In June we checked out the happy hour at Better Luck Tomorrow. Food editor Gwendolyn Knapp recommended the chicken combo: chicken wings, chicken tenders and chicken butt (all fried). -
In May we focused on casual eateries for summer, including FM Kitchen and Bar at 1112 Shepherd. Food editor Gwendolyn Knapp recommended the smoked pork ribs. -
In June we previewed Roka Akor, 2929 Weslayan. Food writer Mai Pham reported that this acclaimed sushi and robata steakhouse would be one of only two restaurants in Houston that offers authentic Kobe beef sourced from Tajima cows in the Hyoko Prefecture. -
In June we stopped by Seaside Poke, 2118 Lamar. Food editor Gwendolyn Knapp labeled it the sleekest and chicest of Houston’s poke crop. -
In May we focused on casual eateries for summer, including King’s BierHaus, 2044 East T.C. Jester. Food editor Gwendolyn Knapp recommended the Weinstephaner Vitus with beer pretzel. -
In May we focused on casual eateries for summer, including Heights Bier Garten, 1433 North Shepherd. Food editor Gwendolyn Knapp recommended the watermelon-forward Fino Fresca, the snappy sausage and an incredible fried chicken biscuit from chef Brandon Silva. -
In May food editor Gwendolyn Knapp reported that beloved banh mi hub Cali Sandwich had finally made its move across the street into the former Crave Sushi space, 2900 Travis. -
In May food editor Gwendolyn Knapp reported that the long-awaited Zelko eatery, The Ivy & James, was opening at Evelyn’s Park in Bellaire. -
We took a first look at Marais, 2015 FM 517 (Dickinson), in May. Food writer Jennifer Fuller recommended the lump crab and shrimp tower appetizer and the perfectly seared scallops on a mound of creamy risotto at this Cajun-fusion restaurant. -
During our May exploration of the burgeoning poke scene in Houston, we took a closer look at Ono Poke, 907 Richmond. Food editor Gwendolyn Knapp recommended the spicy yellowtail and complimentary cucumber water. -
During our May exploration of the burgeoning poke scene in Houston, we took a closer look at Moku Bar, 1010 Prairie. Food editor Gwendolyn Knapp recommended the Mady’s Bowl. -
During our May exploration of the burgeoning poke scene in Houston, we took a closer look at Pokéology, 5555 Morningside. Food editor Gwendolyn Knapp recommended the applemachi with hamachi, white shoyu, green apple, sesame and green onion. -
During our May exploration of the burgeoning poke scene in Houston, we took a closer look at Hawaiian Poke Co. at 4334 FM 2920 (Spring). Food editor Gwendolyn Knapp recommended the Hawaiian poke with ahi, shoyu, sesame oil, sweet white and green onion, sesame seed, Hawaiian salt, togarashi wakame and furikake. -
In May food writer Cuc Lam reported that Roostar Vietnamese Grill had opened its second location in the Uptown/Galleria area. -
We took a first look at Rim Tanon, 2241 Richmond, in April. Food editor Gwendolyn Knapp found skewers of meat, soup, salads, curries, rice and noodle-based bowls and Thai staples. -
In April food editor Gwendolyn Knapp reported that Austin culinary export Tacodeli would be opening its doors at 1902 Washington. -
In March food editor Gwendolyn Knapp reported that Austin gelateria Dolce Neve was opening its doors at 4721 North Main. -
In March food editor Gwendolyn Knapp reported that Austin-based burger and booze hub Hopdoddy Burger Bar had opened its second Houston location at 5510 Morningside. -
In March food editor Gwendolyn Knapp reported that Austin-based burger and chicken sandwich emporium Hopdoddy Burger Bar was opening its third Houston location at 142 Vintage Park. -
We took a first look at Krisp Bird & Batter, 5922 Richmond, in March. Food editor Gwendolyn Knapp reported that the fried chicken sandwiches and tenders, made from non-GMO, non-hormone pasture-raised poultry, were worth a trip. -
We took a first look at Osso & Kristalla, 1515 Texas, in March. Food writer Erika Kwee was surprised to find that the salads really stood out here, including the wispy, lemony arugula that topped the tortellini, as well as the namesake Kristalla salad. -
In March food writer Cuc Lam reported that fan favorite food truck Wokker TX Ranger was morphing into just Wokker, and had signed a year-long partnership with Craft Beer Cellar at 907 Franklin. Shown here is the Korean smoked chicken sammy with grilled jalapeño, kimchi and a perfect sunny-side up fried egg. -
We took a first look at Broken Barrel, 1950 Hughes Landing (The Woodlands), in March. Food writer Jamie Alvear recommended the breakfast flatbread topped with fried egg and available during brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. -
We took a first look at Kitchen 713’s new digs, 4601 Washington, in February. Food writer Cuc Lam devoured the fall-off-the-bone tender smoked jerk ribs lickety-split. -
In February food editor Gwendolyn Knapp reported that Newport Beach’s Bosscat Kitchen & Libations, a whiskey-focused gastropub that also slings Southern comfort food, had opened at 4310 Westheimer. -
We took a first look at Pinkerton’s Barbecue, 1504 Airline, in February. Food writer Jamie Alvear found that the thick slices of brisket were fork-tender and melted in the mouth. -
In January food editor Gwendolyn Knapp reported that Brasserie du Parc, the elegant new restaurant from chef Philippe Verpiand and wife Monica Bui (masterminds of Uptown Park’s French favorite Étoile), was officially open in One Park Place (a luxury high rise at 1440 Lamar overlooking Discovery Green in downtown Houston). -
We took a first look at Ambriza Social Mexican Kitchen, 10115 Louetta, in January. Food writer Jamie Alvear reported that the roasted street corn was bursting with flavor and made for a nice starter. -
In February food writer Cuc Lam reported that Hugo Ortega’s highly anticipated restaurant, Xochi, opened inside the new Marriott Marquis at 1777 Walker. -
In January food writer Cuc Lam reported that the Four Seasons downtown was now home to the city’s longest bar, Bayou & Bottle.
