Readers, friends and family of Eater Houston always want to know where they should go to eat. We're asked, "where should I eat right now? What are the new restaurants in town? Which restaurants have everyone buzzing?" Here is our answer to those questions: Eater Houston Heatmap - a collection of the most exciting Houston restaurants that have opened in the last few months or that have added new reasons to visit. It's updated monthly to keep you on top of things.
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The Hottest Restaurants in Houston Right Now, March 2015
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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.
Weights + Measures
Midtown has needed something like this for some time: a multipurpose eatery offering pastries on-the-go, coffee, cocktails and dining. The four-in-one concept — a brainchild of Ian Rosenberg and Mike Sammons, the duo behind 13 celsius and Mongoose vs Cobra — doles out a little bit of everything for breakfast, lunch, dinner and brunch. The menu roster includes pizzas, tapas, pastas and sandwiches, all served in a vintage living room-style setting. Don't skip the roasted carrot pizza, confit duck ravioli, fresh baked breads and pastries from Heath Wendell's Slow Dough Bake Shop or executive chef Richard Kaplan's special of the day. And by all means, make it a priority to visit adjacent Love & Squalor lounge for a cocktail or Due Fratellini for a glass of wine and coffee afterwards.
[Photo: Jeremy Keas Fine Arts Photography]
[Photo: Jeremy Keas Fine Arts Photography]
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Beaucoup Bar & Grill
Expanding outside the Medical Center, the home of the 24 inch po'boy and the city's best crawfish bread opened a second outpost last month. Bigger digs but the same great Creole offerings of jambalayas and pastas. For a restaurant specializing in po'boys, the black bean burger is surprisingly as tasty and filling as its Creole counterparts.
[Photo: Beaucoup Bar & Grill]
[Photo: Beaucoup Bar & Grill]
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Table 57 Dining & Drinks
For those longing for Southern fare once offered at Haven, flock to H-E-B's first full-fledged restaurant where Randy Evans' handiwork can be tasted in every bite. The former Upper Kirby chef crafted a reasonably-priced menu of fried green tomatoes, Creole shrimp and grits and other classics. Most dishes are revisioned and infused with a touch of global inspiration from executive chef Allen Duhon. Korean-fried chicken served alongside kimchi mashers and braised green, plus stone ground grits with Mexican corn and chipotle are prime examples of this. Slow-smoked Central Texas-style barbecue is available too. Craft beer and wine await at the bar.
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Akamaru Japanese Restaurant
Leaving the west coast for the south, Chef Sano relocated his California restaurant to the heart of Montrose. Sushi is at the forefront of this minimalistic spot next to Bar Boheme. Fusion-style rolls and fancy named dishes aren't on the menu here. Instead look for a limited selection of authentic and traditional Japanese fare. Expect classic sushi, nigiri, sashimi and udon noodle dishes. Get here while prices remain reasonable. After Akamaru gains a following, it won't be too long those before $20 ten-piece sushi platters for lunch are a steal.
[Aladdin A./Yelp]
[Aladdin A./Yelp]
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Bodega 1617
Formerly Orange Bar, the adjacent lounge to Maria Selma Restaurant has been transformed into a wine and tapas bar. A small selection of ceviches and Mexican tiraditos are on the edited menu. Order a glass of wine from the boutique list to pair with bacon-wrapped dates, patatas bravas and shrimp sauteed in garlic confit and arbol chilies.
[Photo: Jakeisha Wilmore]
[Photo: Jakeisha Wilmore]
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Davis St. at Hermann Park
Shortly after opening last October, this posh Museum District restaurant within high rise dwelling Mosaic on Hermann Park landed on November and December's heatmaps. Despite that, the restaurant from Culinary Institute LeNotre grad and executive chef Javani King flew under most people's radars until a triumphant win at RodeoHouston's Best Bites competition recently. Discover the award-winning crispy Thai shrimp and newer menu offerings. Or just stick with newfound classics maple glazed duck and grilled double cut bone-in pork chop.
[Photo: Davis St. at Hermann Park]
[Photo: Davis St. at Hermann Park]
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Mary'z Mediterranean Cuisine
A menu of affordably priced Mediterranean and Lebanese fare, Mary'z Mediterranean Cuisine expands its reach with the recent opening of it second location. Inner Loopers will delight in having another option for shawarmas and kabobs. Add the insanely cheap happy hour this new addition to Washington Avenue is a winner.
[Photo: Mary'z Mediterranean Cuisine]
[Photo: Mary'z Mediterranean Cuisine]
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Crust Pizza Co.
The third outpost for this Woodlands-based pizza mini chain is located in the hip digs of Creekside Village. This family-oriented pizzeria offers hand-crafted pies reminincet of those found on the East Coast. Although the space is bigger, the pies are still perfectly executed producing a slightly crispy crust that balances out the wild toppings. For the slightly tamed, Big Don's Meat and Cheese with a hearty helping of pepperoni, sausage, beef, bacon, canadian bacon, cheddar and mozzarella. For a walk on the wild side, The Jerk will do the job. Caramelized onions, bell peppers mingled with spicy Jamaican jerk chicken. The icing on the cheese filled pie? Crispy bacon. This is one walk that's not shameful but full of sweet bliss.
Photo: Crust Pizza Co.]
Photo: Crust Pizza Co.]
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Gino's East
Ditch the New York-style pizza and dig into a slice of deep dish pie from Chicago at this north Houston pizzeria. Serving classic Chicago-style pizzas straight from the Windy City, Houston's second outpost also offers a Texan spin on a few items. The brisket pizza adorned with caramelized onions and peppers is one of a handful of the Texas-branded dishes but the Meaty Legend (pepperoni, bacon, Italian sausage, Canadian bacon) provides a more authentic experience. Wash it down with a growing selection of local beers and Chicago's Goose Island brews on tap. Don't forget to leave your John Hancock on the designated surfaces. It's a Gino's East tradition.
[Photo: Gino's East Willowbrook]
[Photo: Gino's East Willowbrook]
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Cajun Fuze
With crawfish season in effect, now's the time to visit the newest restaurant dishing out spicy-infused mudbugs. A fantastic selection of flavors are offered here, warranting a far drive to northwest Houston. Rivaling beloved Crawfish & Noodle, Cajun Fuze's arsenal of explosive flavors include original Cajun, garlic butter, cilantro and lime, citrus fusion and Thai basil. The restaurant serves a wide variety of shellfish but its Vietnamese offerings aren't too shabby either. Macarons and beignet fries, which are dusted with powdered sugar and an insanely amount of drizzled chocolate sauce, make for the perfect reward for surviving the fiery battle.
[Photo: Cajun Fuze]
[Photo: Cajun Fuze]
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North Italia
Tucked within BLVD Place is this industrial-farmhouse decked restaurant from Fox Restaurant Group (also responsible for neighboring True Food Kitchen). Boasting a menu of modern Italian fare, North Italia delivers varied selections of made from scratch pastas, handcrafted pizzas and robust beef, chicken and seafood dishes. Not-to-be-missed: The Pig pizza (house-cured meats including pepperoni, soppressata, salami and Italian fennel sausage); braised meatballs; braised beef short rib alongside
roasted vegetable atop of creamy white polenta and the house specialty, bolognese (meat sauce, tagliatelle and grana padano cheese).
[Photo: Jakeisha Wilmore]
[Photo: Jakeisha Wilmore]
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