New Houston Restaurant Recommendations

[Enchubben 5,536]

Really enjoyed the Federal Grill on shepard. (Across from what was BRC).  Food was excellent, great drink selection including an old fashioned that is filled with smoke. 

[mycox 582]

Go to Poitín. I guess the smoked old fashion is the latest trend. They hae a good one at Poitín

Edited May 22, 2018 by mycox

[huge 3,796]

Anyone been to UB Preserve yet?  Anything to report?

[GreenspointTexas 9,708]

http://calleonze.com/

 

 

going in next to Eight Row Flint. From the people behind Edison

[Planet Houston 4,938]

21 hours ago, huge said:

Anyone been to UB Preserve yet?  Anything to report?

I went last night for a casual dinner with the wife (no pics).  We sat at the bar.  It was very good, but not mind-blowing enough to say that I'll be running back there to do it again immediately.  

We had the pork dumplings, which were of course excellent, a daily special curry dish with singing scallops, the BBQ ribs and a side of collard greens.  All very good.  The space is solid but not spectacular, and the timing of the dishes coming out could have been better.  Definitely on my go-to list, but not life-changing.

[bularry1 23]

On 5/23/2018 at 1:18 PM, Planet Houston said:

I went last night for a casual dinner with the wife (no pics).  We sat at the bar.  It was very good, but not mind-blowing enough to say that I'll be running back there to do it again immediately.  

We had the pork dumplings, which were of course excellent, a daily special curry dish with singing scallops, the BBQ ribs and a side of collard greens.  All very good.  The space is solid but not spectacular, and the timing of the dishes coming out could have been better.  Definitely on my go-to list, but not life-changing.

Might be in the area Saturday night, would it be a waste of time trying to get in bar area and eat or will it be manageable?  

Going to T Rex for first time Friday night and I'm looking forward to it.

[Planet Houston 4,938]

I think you’ll be good to get a spot at the bar. Definitely worth a visit. 

[Lazarus Bocanegra 306]

21 hours ago, bularry1 said:

Going to T Rex for first time Friday night and I'm looking forward to it.

It's spectacular.  I have also heard T Rex has a private, speakeasy type bar around the corner for patrons awaiting tables.  I haven't been, but it might be worth getting there early to figure it out. 

[bularry1 23]

On 5/25/2018 at 2:17 PM, Lazarus Bocanegra said:

It's spectacular.  I have also heard T Rex has a private, speakeasy type bar around the corner for patrons awaiting tables.  I haven't been, but it might be worth getting there early to figure it out. 

You are correct, food was spectacular and they have a "waiting lounge".  We had reservations, so didn't go into the lounge and didn't even know about it until we walked outside to meet our Uber and we saw a waitress bringing a couple out of there.  

 

Absolutely loved our meal.  Delicate and interesting and layers of flavor at every turn.

[huge 3,796]

UB Preserv Saturday

Got the dumplings (pretty good)

Crispy Rice salad (outstanding)

Pork Laap (good and spicy lettuce wrap)

Old fashioned was nothing special, but fine

We sat in the bar.  It was pretty crowded and the service was great.

[bularry1 23]

Ate at Nobie for the first time Saturday night.  I had actually never heard of this place, somehow.  We loved our experience.  Very good food, great wine list, excellent service, interesting cocktails.  hard to beat

[huge 3,796]

Nobies is great, especially if you get along with the people sitting near you.  Communal experience.

Went to Gus's Fried Chicken last night.  Across the street from B&B Butcher.  Everything was good other than the size of the pieces.  Legs and thighs for ants.  Great flavor though.  Wonder if it is a sourcing thing.  I don't remember that being an issue at all in Memphis, so its not their "thing" I don't think.

3 piece dark with beans (tastes like gussied up baked beans from a can) and cole slaw (decent) with a slice of good white breat $8.39.

[Mack Tripper 696]

On 5/17/2018 at 8:45 PM, Etexhorn13 said:

Any suggestions for a birthday dinner on a Sunday? Looking to spend a little dough, probably not something like BCN prices though. A good wine list is important to me.  

I'm a little late on this, but State of Grace has a good "Sunday Supper" that is $29 for 3+ courses (biscuits with smoked ham, salad, entree, 3 sides, dessert). 

Edited May 30, 2018 by Mack Tripper

[Johnny Sack 8,397]

2 hours ago, Mack Tripper said:

I'm a little late on this, but State of Grace has a good "Sunday Supper" that is $29 for 3+ courses (biscuits with smoked ham, salad, entree, 3 sides, dessert). 

We go all the time after church on Sunday.  It’s a very good value as we end up sharing a couple entrees (two adults and two kids)

[huge 3,796]

16 hours ago, Johnny Sack said:

We go all the time after church on Sunday.  It’s a very good value as we end up sharing a couple entrees (two adults and two kids)

Also excellent hh in the oyster bar.  $1 oysters from places other than the gulf.

[Lobwedgephil 1,139]

East Hampton Sandwich Company opened tonight in River Oaks shopping center. Dallas places and first of a few locations here in Houston. Went to the soft opening last night and everything was really good. 

https://www.ehsandwich.com/menu/

 

 

 

[mycox 582]

Pape Genos is open in Montrose.

East Hampton Sandwich Company will soon be open soon next to Velvet Taco.

For some strange reason a lot of you like Texadelphia. There will be one opening where the Yucatan Taco Stand used to be.

[elfenix 34,364]

East Hampton Sandwich Company opened tonight in River Oaks shopping center. Dallas places and first of a few locations here in Houston. Went to the soft opening last night and everything was really good. 
https://www.ehsandwich.com/menu/
 
 
 

River Oaks district != River Oaks shopping center.

[Lobwedgephil 1,139]

9 hours ago, elfenix said:

On 5/31/2018 at 9:05 PM, Lobwedgephil said:

East Hampton Sandwich Company opened tonight in River Oaks shopping center. Dallas places and first of a few locations here in Houston. Went to the soft opening last night and everything was really good. 
https://www.ehsandwich.com/menu/
 
 
 

River Oaks district != River Oaks shopping center.

My bad. 

[Enchubben 5,536]

On 6/4/2018 at 2:00 PM, mycox said:

Pape Genos is open in Montrose.

East Hampton Sandwich Company will soon be open soon next to Velvet Taco.

For some strange reason a lot of you like Texadelphia. There will be one opening where the Yucatan Taco Stand used to be.

Really missed texadelphia, glad it’s coming back.

[Reagan1k 3,024]

Made the trip back to TX and Houston.  Hit Ritual and Hay Merchant among others with my team.

Ritual was excellent but I wasn't terribly hungry so some of it was wasted on me.  Won't make that mistake again.

The braised goat and dumplings at Hay Merchant was excellent.  Loved every bite.

Stayed at the new Post Oak Hotel and really enjoyed it.  Very nice and over the top service.

Pretty good talent at the pool as well.

Tried to go see Champkind but couldn't fit it in....next time.

[Mack Tripper 696]

River Oaks district != River Oaks shopping center.

Close enough for carpetbaggers from Dallas

[GreenspointTexas 9,708]

UB Preserve was not good. Reminded me of Underbelly. Completely underwhelming.

 

pork dumplings - meh

octopus - bad

duck egg curry - ok

queso fundido - excellent

 

cocktails were fantastic, however. And service and space were tight. They did a good job using the old poscol place.

 

also, goodnight charlies sucks. Place will be closed in a year or two. Cocktails were trash and the space was left open to the outside when it was 98 degrees outside. Dumb

[Storm the Field 5,304]

Tried the new La Vista 101 on 18th across from Hughies.

Pretty impressive transformation of an old Pizza Hut. There was close to a 45 minute wait Friday night, but we managed to find a high top near the bar and skip the wait. 

Food was above-average, but not spectacular, and priced accordingly, IMO. Nice to have another mid-scale option in the area. Cost for appetizer, large entree for 2, decent bottle of wine and some very good tiramisu came out to right around $80.

[bularry1 23]

On 6/9/2018 at 8:40 AM, GreenspointTexas said:

UB Preserve was not good. Reminded me of Underbelly. Completely underwhelming.

 

pork dumplings - meh

octopus - bad

duck egg curry - ok

queso fundido - excellent

 

cocktails were fantastic, however. And service and space were tight. They did a good job using the old poscol place.

opposite of huge's take (except on service).  no offense, I'll take his opinion

[GreenspointTexas 9,708]

Nobu was fantastic, but it might be the most expensive restaurant in town. 6 plates + toro belly pieces x 2 + sake + tip = $300 for two people

[Hank Scorpio 17,731]

Wait, there’s a Nobu in Houston now? Fuuuuuck. 

[huge 3,796]

On 6/9/2018 at 8:40 AM, GreenspointTexas said:

also, goodnight charlies sucks. Place will be closed in a year or two. Cocktails were trash and the space was left open to the outside when it was 98 degrees outside. Dumb

I will echo the heat factor.  I went last weekend and it was just too fucking hot inside.

[riloh05 107]

peri-peri factory off westhiemer near voss is a great lunch spot. Not Nando's, but close enough. avoid garlic sause, but the hot is good stuff.

[Storm the Field 5,304]

Hitting up One Fifth: Romance Languages on Thursday for wife's birthday. She has insisted the we have to try every iteration.

Anyone been? Any dishes to consider?

I'm leaning towards getting either the Paella or Lamb Chop on Polenta.

[bularry1 23]

14 hours ago, GreenspointTexas said:

Nobu was fantastic, but it might be the most expensive restaurant in town. 6 plates + toro belly pieces x 2 + sake + tip = $300 for two people

All top end sushi places can get damn pricey.  A guy told me at FM Sushi the chef's tasting will run $240+ per person or something like that.  damn.  

[bularry1 23]

On 6/9/2018 at 8:40 AM, GreenspointTexas said:

 

also, goodnight charlies sucks. Place will be closed in a year or two. Cocktails were trash and the space was left open to the outside when it was 98 degrees outside. Dumb

Surprised the cocktails were bad with Keck in charge.

[GreenspointTexas 9,708]

39 minutes ago, bularry1 said:

Surprised the cocktails were bad with Keck in charge.

Hes a sommelier? I wasnt expecting much, but both drinks were not good.

 

when it comes to drinks in Houston, ill stick to Heugel, Huerta, Weber, Burrows, or Gregg. 

[Hank Scorpio 17,731]

11 minutes ago, GreenspointTexas said:

 

 

when it comes to drinks in Houston, ill stick to farting into a wine glass and smelling it and  constantly bitching. 

 

[mycox 582]

On 6/9/2018 at 8:40 AM, GreenspointTexas said:

also, goodnight charlies sucks. Place will be closed in a year or two. Cocktails were trash and the space was left open to the outside when it was 98 degrees outside. Dumb

Goodnight Charlies will stick around because the guy knows what he is doing and will listen to customer feedback. Keck is also opening three new places next door. All three sound interesting and will be wine focussed.

[Mack Tripper 696]

18 hours ago, GreenspointTexas said:

Nobu was fantastic, but it might be the most expensive restaurant in town. 6 plates + toro belly pieces x 2 + sake + tip = $300 for two people

Wife went with two friends and said the same - came out to $180 per person. 

[Mack Tripper 696]

5 hours ago, riloh05 said:

peri-peri factory off westhiemer near voss is a great lunch spot. Not Nando's, but close enough. avoid garlic sause, but the hot is good stuff.

Agreed - went this weekend and ordered the wings with the hot sauce. Pretty nice little lunch. 

[Mack Tripper 696]

3 hours ago, bularry1 said:

All top end sushi places can get damn pricey.  A guy told me at FM Sushi the chef's tasting will run $240+ per person or something like that.  damn.  

True, but we're talking just ordering regular dishes off the menu, not omakase, which is probably just obscene at Nobu. 

[MAROON 445]

On 5/30/2018 at 4:59 PM, Johnny Sack said:

We go all the time after church on Sunday.  It’s a very good value as we end up sharing a couple entrees (two adults and two kids)

thanks for this tip.  Sounds like the perfect way to wind down a Father's Day.  Booked a reservations for this Sunday.

[Johnny Sack 8,397]

1 minute ago, MAROON said:

thanks for this tip.  Sounds like the perfect way to wind down a Father's Day.  Booked a reservations for this Sunday.

Ha.  We are going there too after church.  Reservation is for 12:30.  

[Johnny Sack 8,397]

We did Kata Robata Monday night and went early for the happy hour specials (ends at 6:30) since my son is away at camp and hates sushi but my 6 year old daughter loves it.  Their Monday happy hour has some outstanding values and wine by the glass is also half price.  They have a good Sancerre my wife likes by the glass.  We got out with the tip for less than $100 and ordered a ton of food.

[MAROON 445]

13 minutes ago, Johnny Sack said:

Ha.  We are going there too after church.  Reservation is for 12:30.  

I'm going in the evening because I was under the impression the Sunday Supper menu only started at 5:00.  Is that not true?

[Johnny Sack 8,397]

1 minute ago, MAROON said:

I'm going in the evening because I was under the impression the Sunday Supper menu only started at 5:00.  Is that not true?

I think that is right.  We will be limited to the lunch menu.

[bularry1 23]

29 minutes ago, Johnny Sack said:

We did Kata Robata Monday night and went early for the happy hour specials (ends at 6:30) since my son is away at camp and hates sushi but my 6 year old daughter loves it.  Their Monday happy hour has some outstanding values and wine by the glass is also half price.  They have a good Sancerre my wife likes by the glass.  We got out with the tip for less than $100 and ordered a ton of food.

definitely a good way to do it.   

[Johnny Sack 8,397]

18 minutes ago, bularry1 said:

definitely a good way to do it.   

Still dreaming about those brussel sprouts.  Love them from KR.  Uchi does a similar one.

[Mack Tripper 696]

Love Kata Robata

[mycox 582]

This might work.

https://houston.eater.com/2018/6/27/17510878/kau-ba-saigon-kitchen-nikki-tran-opening-july-2018
Kau Ba Saigon Kitchen, the Montrose restaurant from Vietnamese chef Nikki Tran, is preparing to open its doors next month.

A representative for the restaurant tells Eater that Kau Ba Saigon Kitchen will make its debut before the end of July, bringing Tran’s unique fusion of Cajun and Vietnamese — or as she calls it, “Viejun” — cuisine to Space City. As Eater reported in March, the restaurant will open inside the space formerly occupied by recently-departed wine bar Bacchus at 2502 Dunlavy Street.

The menu isn’t finalized just yet, but diners can expect a “retro, Saigon pre-1975” vibe at Kau Ba Saigon Kitchen, and dishes that fuse the culinary traditions of both Vietnam and Houston. Tran’s cuisine earned raves from chef and food personality David Chang, who featured her Ho Chi Minh City restaurant Ca Ba Quan in the first season of his Neflix show Ugly Delicious.

Kau Ba Saigon Kitchen is expected to arrive on July 21. Stay tuned for more details on what the menu will look like.

[elfenix 34,364]

3 hours ago, mycox said:

Tran’s cuisine earned raves from chef and food personality David Chang, who featured her Ho Chi Minh City restaurant Ca Ba Quan in the first season of his Neflix show Ugly Delicious.

her food looked really good on there

[Jimbaround 975]

No new by any stretch, but I would like to say that I have never had a bad meal at Armando's.  It's a little more expensive than your normal TexMex, but not by much.  Their vegetable queso flameado is a must order.

[HouTex 1,894]

Went recently to Nancy's Hustle in EDO. It was good. It took forever to get non-wine drink orders but that was about the only complaint. The music is very cool. They have an old reel to reel player loaded with great stuff.