Worth The Trip: Houston Heights

Claire Smith made a name for herself with neighborhood standby, Shade. The New American concept has since been folded into current favorite, Alice Blue, and thanks to the mastery of beloved chef Brandi Key, now boasts a revamped menu complete with an exquisite tea service. 

Come for the rooftop view of 19th Street, and stay for the Southern-inflected fare. At Harold’s, classics like shrimp-and-grits and cast iron chicken earn their rightful regard; for something fresh and unexpected, opt for local quail in a Worcestershire sauce reduction.

The area surrounding Lazybrook and Timbergrove still counts as Greater Heights to us, and we’re glad to call this brewery part of the neighborhood. Here, pizza-and-beer pairings are next-level: dough is made with the same spent grain used in the brewing process. 

Thanks to chef Mark Schmidt, this stalwart just seems to get better. Wild game is the reason to visit, so order wild boar, antelope, or elk, but don’t skip other offerings, like the signature smoked duck gumbo.

Newcomer Squable earns its pedigree courtesy of James Beard Award-winning co-owner, Justin Yu. Together with bar maestro Bobby Heugel, the duo offers a full—dare we say, sensational—experience, complete with creative cocktails and tantalizing desserts.