Alice Blue, 1751 Sea & Bar, Avondale Food and Wine, Now on The Resy Hit List

Because beloved Houston chef Brandi Key is at the helm at Alice Blue. Her New American bistro mixes comfort food like deviled eggs and meatloaf with upscale classics like Oysters Rockefeller.

Because seafood charcuterie may just be a best-kept secret. This brand-new replacement for Star Fish is named for the Gin Act of 1751, so expect more than 100 gins to go with your salmon gravlax, cured tuna, and scallop conserva.

For reservations, contact the restaurant at (832) 831-9820.

Because this wine bar is an under-the-radar treat ripe for discovery. Start with the Not Oreo Cookies, mascarpone-and-truffle sandwiches, or almond tortellini in dark chicken jus. The wine list is concise and carefully curated, so you’re bound to (always) pick a winner.

Because it’s worth a drive to Stafford for a special meal. At dinnertime, this Indo-Pak restaurant serves an affordable meal, featuring a slew of deeply marinated kebabs kept warm over a tabletop charcoal grill.

For reservations, contact the restaurant at (281) 372-6001.

Because you can now reserve a seat in the dining room, so you don’t have to wait for a sip of that Hopadillo. Pair it with an RC Ranch wagyu beef sausage served on a Cake & Bacon Bakery pretzel, or a hearty plate of shrimp & grits.

Because this landmark of Jewish food in America has a new commissary kitchen. Inside, Kenny & Ziggy’s Cakeworks bakes up more of the sweet treats we’ve come to love (read: black-and-white cookies, cheesecake, babka). Let’s celebrate with a seven-layer cake and some rainbow cookies.

Walk-ins only.

Because you may think you know tacos, but this Mexico City variety is new to Houston. Here, costras are the main attraction—that’s griddled Gouda wrapped around the meat of your choice, inside a tortilla. They may just be the next big thing.

Walk-ins only.

Because the city finally has its first fresh udon spot. Head up the stairs at Chinatown’s Dun Huang Plaza for cooked-to-order noodles accented with fried fare from the tempura bar.

Walk-ins only.

Because chicken & waffles just got an upgrade. Here, there are six different varieties of the classic combo—from General Tso’s and jerk chicken versions to a vegan take. 

For reservations, contact the restaurant at (832) 487-9958.

Because spring is for dining al fresco! The garden here is one of the most inviting places in the city to eat outside. Spring for a petite filet salad—a favorite healthy indulgence—followed by an order of the legendary chocolate chip cookies.