New on Resy: Indigo, Benjy’s, Rainbow Lodge

To put it simply, there’s no other place like Indigo. At an imposing horseshoe-shaped bar, chef Jonny Rhodes—Eater’s 2018 Houston Chef of the Year—embarks diners on a journey through the African diaspora, its food, culture, and history. Each plate, stunning and thought-provoking, comes with a learning, as Rhodes himself explains the inspiration behind the dish. Indigo spins soul food on its head, injects it with new life, and will leave you breathless.

With more than 20 years under its belt, Benjy’s knows how to please the Houston crowds. Brunch calls for the crab toast and a cinnamon toast krunk’ed—a cocktail that’ll satisfy your inner child—while the dinner service cooks up favorites like sweet and sour duck, crunchy chicken, and wood-fired house meatballs, all within a warm and cozy setting.

“Sophisticated, not stuffy” are the words Rainbow Lodge lives by, which is somewhat tongue-in-cheek as the space is decorated with taxidermied hunting trophies. Jokes aside, this iconic 100-year-old log cabin serves a singular fine dining experience where local wild game and seafood grace the menu. Elk, bison, antilope, venison, pheasant, the Rainbow Lodge has it all.

Housed in the former Benjy’s on Washington—and owned by the very same Benjy Levit—The Classic serves an excellent meal throughout the day. The lush and vibrantly stylish bistro showcases flavors from all over the globe, from Lithuania to Asia, for a delicious menu that effortlessly pivots from daily coffee to late-night cachet. Must-haves include the Dutch baby pancakes, brown sugar salmon, and mushroom casarecci.

Small, family wineries get the spotlight at Avondale Food and Wine, a wine-centric eatery that deals in peak-season local ingredients and small-batch wines. Convivial and luminous, you’re here to snack on French-leaning plates (get the butternut squash to share) and sip on undiscovered gems.

Anchored by a local chef-in-residency program, Decatur is a sleek bar and popup factory that acts as an incubator for culinary talent. Currently showing her chops is chef Evelyn Garcia, who approaches southeast Asian flavors with a wink to her Latina heritage for one dazzling family-style meal (only available on Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:30pm). On the mixology side, cocktail maven Leslie Krockenberger shakes up specialty drinks that’ll leave your sense tingling.

Self-described as a Houston honky tonk, Goodnight Charlie’s pays tribute to legendary cattle rancher Charles Goodnight. Live music graces the floor every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, but don’t fret: the kitchen has enough tacos and Tex-Mex plates to share to keep you dancing all night long. Bar-wise, you’re in good hands: Master Sommelier David Keck oversees the bar program, featuring Texan beers, cocktails, wine, and over 40 varieties of bourbon for good measure.

Warm, casual and friendly, Urban American Kitchen is a family-run restaurant nestled in the heart of Memorial. The neighborhood destination doles out classic dishes with an urban twist that warm the soul—think creamy spinach artichoke dip, bbq pulled pork flatbread, and melt-in-your-mouth baby back ribs.