3. Asia Market
What was once a Stop 'N Go is now one of the most deliciously authentic Thai spots in town. We're almost sad to bring this one up, as it has lately become so popular that open parking spots are rare -- and tables even more so. We'll always love Asia Market for its green papaya salad, pork and beef glass noodles, and outstanding pad kee mao, but the pad see ew remains our number one.
2. Stella Sola
The new Texas-Tuscan offering from Bryan Caswell, Stella Sola has set our carnivorous hearts on fire. Vegetarians, beware: Its recent suckling pig offering has won rave reviews, as has the house-cured charcuterie plate. The boys in back, led by James Beard nominee Justin Basye, are just now starting to run on all cylinders, making this one of our favorites in Houston, not just in the Heights.
1. Catalan
Chris Shepherd runs a tight ship at Catalan, showcasing the season's finest ingredients in creatively outstanding ways: pork belly, crabmeat croquettes, redneck mac-and-cheese, and bone marrow. You'll find the most inspired dishes on the Chef's Playground, an area of the menu that houses the chef's best, like barbecued head-on shrimp and housemade corned beef. P.S. You can add foie gras to anything; it says so right on the menu. [Swoon]
