If there were ever a place that shouldn't be judged by its outside, it's this cozy East End restaurant that opened in October. Owners and chefs Ross Coleman and James Haywood are putting their own spin on Southern classics, blending cuisines from around the world - and doing it quite well.

Everything is made in-house, from bread to the chicken, seafood and pork boudins and charcuterie. Not-to-be-missed: the tender and succulent Southern/Vietnamese hybrid, turkey neck lettuce wrap.

Masterfully plated dishes include: shrimp and grits with white wine and white cheddar; beef cheek ragout with butternut squash and Brussels sprouts; a beer brined pork chop that almost rivals in size to Perry's Steakhouse's chops, served with celery root mash and braised greens. Leave room for the deconstructed lemon meringue and cheddar biscuit topped peach cobbler.

Gumbo of the day rotates often and usually consists of chicken or seafood options. Off-the-menu items are available as daily specials. Past items have included turkey leg vindoloo with bay infused mashed potatoes and smoked lamb tongue. Fried chicken dinners are offered on the all day brunch menu on Sundays and sells out quickly. Other mus-try brunch items: smoked pork belly with kimchi greens and cornbread pudding; Gulf Coast Benedict served with grit cake, seared catch of the day, poached egg and a ham hock sweet potato hash.

Hours: Tue. - Sat. 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

[Photo: Jakeisha Wilmore]

Located in a nondescript business center on the corner of Almeda and Holly Hall, resides one Houston's few Yemeni restaurants. Opened since June, House of Mandi Mediterranean Restaurant — also a Halal restaurant — blends Persian, Turkish, Arabian and Indian cuisines.

Kabasas (sauteed with basmati rice, parsley, scallion, parsley and onions with chopped lamb or chicken mixed in) and agadas (a traditional stew cooked with choice of lamb, chicken or fish, okra, carrots, potatoes and onions) are the house specialties and the dishes that best highlight the type of food that's part of the Yemen culture.

Hanith lamb and chicken are the restaurant's other must-try-dishes — which features slow roasted meats seasoned in spices, served on a bed of basmati rice smothered in a sauce. For the less adventurous, the menu also includes kofta kabobs, shish kabobs, grilled chicken and sandwiches, all complimented with a salad and bowl of hot broth.

A hearty breakfast menu is offered daily with most items priced under $7. Start the day with such staples as eggs served with sauteed tomatoes, onions and spices, foul with mashed fava beans and other Yemen delicacies. Freshly squeezed orange and mango juices are also available.

[Photo: Jakeisha Wilmore]

Peruvian specialties is what this Westchase restaurant has been serving since opening its doors in August. Think of it as the more casual and less expensive option to Latin Bites in Memorial with fried pork and stir fried steak sandwiches on the menu. Empanadas filled with chicken, beef and cheese are classic choices but stir fried steak, pot roast and potato casserole with pork and peanuts are among the interesting selections to pick from.

As expected, cebiche is a big part of the menu. Most cebiche dishes found here are served with flounder, onions, corn with key lime juice and aji peppers. Must-try-dish: Peruvian cebiche and fried calamari served with tiradito lemon sauce, green onions, yucca and peruvian corn.

Well plated and portioned entrees are appreciated at the strip center cafe: Peruvian stir fried beef and grilled fish topped with calamari and shrimp are a sample of the menu's more popular items. $10 weekday daily specials are served from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Hours: Mon -Thu: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Fri - Sat: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sun 10 a.m. -6 p.m.

Opened in August, this Northwest Houston restaurant is focused on rustic New American fare fused with Southern cuisine. Locally sourced cheeses and breads from Houston Dairymaids and Slow Dough Bread Co. and other sourced items allows the restaurant to offer a seasonal menu.

Grilled cheese and short rib on sourdough and the Akaushi beef burger with cheddar, pecan-smoked bacon and barbecue sauce are delicious choices but a splurge at $15. Housemade cheddar, sage and thyme biscuits with smoked chicken and bacon jam plus shrimp and grits are the highlight of the menu.

Currently, the farm-to-table restaurant is only open for lunch Mondays through Wednesdays.

Hours: Mon -Fri: 11 a.m. – 3p.m.; Thu-Sat: 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.

When driving to Koreatown on Long Point Road isn't an option from Sharpstown, Lucky Palace Korean Restaurant is your best bet. It's expensive than most Korean eateries found in the Spring Branch area, but this barbecue restaurant has been a welcome addition along Bellaire Boulevard since opening in June.

Booths fill up quickly in the evening and on the weekends, but a grill table is guaranteed no matter where seating is open. Begin the meal with a kimchi pancake or the Royal Topokki (stew with rice cake, beef and vegetables). Entrees include sweet potato noodles with beef and vegetables (Japchae) and earthen pot beef stew, but it's the barbecue that's makes a visit to this restaurant worthwhile.

Slabs of fresh high-quality meats (brisket, pork belly, beef short rib, rib eye and squid) are offered in combos that depend on the size of your party and start at $43. The serving size is generous but if protein is needed, prices range from $18 to $30 depending on the cut of meat.

Hours: Mon- Thu: 11 a.m.- 10 p.m.; Fri. - Sun. 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.

[Photo credit: Cassandra H./Yelp]