If the chew fits. Trend-setting restaurants worth stepping out to.
Camaraderie Heights
With a $75 per person prix fixe menu, along with a la carte fare, Camaraderie is designed to bring friends and loved ones together in a neighborhood setting. Michelin-starred Chef Shawn Gawle’s concept shows off his significant fine dining experience in lauded French institutions, along with his pastry chef skills.
Sucré West University
New Orleans-based macaron shop Sucré has opened its first Lone Star State sweets outpost near Rice Village. Stop in to the pretty pink eatery for tres delish macarons, petit fours, ice cream, coffee, cupcakes, breakfast pastries and other temptations.
Little Sister Cake Shop & Cafe Oak Forest
Formerly BeccaCakes, the bakeshop is newly rebranded with all-day, scratch-baked croissants, mini loaves, brioche buns, macarons, cookies, sweet rolls with rotating daily flavors and, of course, cake! Stay a while with specialty sips from Luce Coffee Roasters, matcha and teas.
Bar Buena River Oaks Shopping Center
Hidden behind new Goode Co. Kitchen & Cantina, the adjoining, tiny speakeasy is dedicated to the art of tequila and mezcal in a cavern-like space with a menu inspired by the ancient process of making drinks by hand and fire.
Bar Madonna Montrose
Look for the wooden Virgin Mary that presides over the pretty bar at The Marlene — it was scouted on a mother-daughter European antiques trip by the new Montrose inn’s owner. If you can’t snag a seat at the bar under the hand-painted navy ceiling covered in stars, take your perfect cocktail to the sweeping wraparound porch of the historic mansion.
Yiayia’s Greek Kitchen Upper Kirby
In an ode to the matriarch of the Pappas family, the new Greek concept expands on generational recipes once served at Uptown’s Yiayia Mary’s, with a modern update. Start with mezedes like spanakopita for the table to share, then work your way through specialties by land or by sea.