Neighborhood Spotlight: Montrose

At Avondale, chef-owner Olivier Ciesielski builds on the clout established with L’Olivier—the space where he served French fare for almost seven years—to push the envelope further, experimenting with increasingly interesting concepts. Plus, the wine bar is a great place to grab a bottle to bring home, too.

Quirky Montrose has never been a destination for steak—until now. Beef from Texas’ 44 Farms is aged for optimal tenderness, but that’s not all: the charcuterie and raw bar are exceptional, too. Gather a group and spring for a seafood tower to share. 

A honky tonk in the heart of Houston? Yes, please. At Goodnight Charlie’s, music and drinks are, naturally, a major part of the appeal, but the fantastic bites (read: cheesesteak tacos) will keep you coming back for more.

At Indika, the flavors are as elegant as the surroundings, thanks to Mickey Kapoor’s reimagined approach to Indian cuisine— one taste of the pistachio-and-apricot naan, and you’ll be hooked.

Montrose has its share of excellent Mediterranean fare, but this inventive restaurant—inside a renovated church, no less—is the only upmarket outlet for hummus, kibbeh and falafel. Wash down the mezze with regional spirits, like ouzo and arak.

Missing chef Chris Shepherd’s beloved Underbelly? His replacement has a different menu, but the same Houston-flavored soul. The fusion of local cultures includes Vietnamese short rib fajitas and spicy crawfish-and-rice cakes.