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]

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]

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.

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]

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]

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.]

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]

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]