New On Resy: Bludorn, Riel, Handies Douzo, and More

Chef-owner Ryan Lachaine’s pierogies are epic, as is his famous borscht, but there’s nothing quite as memorable as taking a whiskey luge shot with the chef after dusting off a plate of roasted bone marrow. Get there early: The fun kicks off during happy hour with decadent sandwiches, light bites, and killer cocktails. 

Hailing from NYC’s famed Café Boulud, chef Aaron Bludorn’s eponymous debut is everything that we’d hoped for, and then some. Bludorn’s French-inflected New American cuisine with Gulf Coast leanings ranges from oysters every which way to a showstopping lobster pot pie. If you can swing it, stop by on Thursdays, when you can indulge in large-format wine pours.

Because Masterchef season three winner Christine Ha and chef Tony Nguyen are cooking  Vietnamese fare like we’ve never seen before. The menu is small enough that you could order one of everything — but if you’re feeling more modest, don’t miss the smoked duck salad, the incredible buttermilk-fried Nguyen-er Nguyen-er chicken dinner, and the frozen soju-based Pandan Colada with popping pandan pearls.

After working for a decade in New York City under Barbuto chef Jonathan Waxman, native son Travis McShane has returned to Houston with perfect roast chicken, housemade pastas, and beautifully plated vegetables in a stylish Montrose setting. For the best lunch vibes, try to get a table in the tiny but charming Greenhouse Room.

Creative hand rolls and pristine sashimi plates never cease to amaze at this 26-seat Heights restaurant by Uchi alums Patrick Pham and Daniel Lee. Although they accept walk-ins, reservations are highly recommended. Pro tip: Book the early seating if you want some uni.

Flower-filled planters and blue wicker chairs lend a decidedly Parisian feel to the expanded patio at this beloved French restaurant, where Gallic favorites like pâté de campagne, French onion soup, and steak frites feature on the daily menu. The Champagne bar is a lovely spot for a pre-dinner aperitif, accompanied by oysters and caviar.

Made up entirely of chef-led concepts — BOH Pasta by Ben McPherson, Kokoro by Patrick Pham and Daniel Lee, The Blind Goat by Christine Ha, and Cherry Block Butcher + Kitchen by Felix Florez and Jessica Timmons, plus one pop-up counter for guest chefs — this downtown culinary destination has it all, right down to wines on tap, and a sleek patio cocktail bar called Secret Garden.

Locals know this cool and laid-back spot, with its lounge-like vibe, is the place to be in the Heights. Chef Benjy Mason’s locally sourced menu segues effortlessly from day to night with dishes like chicken and waffles, Korean crispy cauliflower, and the Lone Star 3.0, a double-patty 44 Farms smash burger. Cocktails are packaged for easy grab ‘n’ go and there’s also a dog-friendly patio.

Luxe bites like lobster rolls and brioche-crusted crab cakes await you at this restaurant lounge that’s tucked away upstairs in the iPic Theater. Bespoke and pitcher-sized cocktails, as well as a Thursday and Friday happy hour, add to the fun.

With everything from wood-fired pizzas to housemade pastas and dry-aged steaks, the menu here is designed for maximum appeal. Want a burger? Brunch? A milkshake? Cocktails? You can get all of that, made with ingredients sourced from local farms and ranches, at this family-friendly establishment in the Woodlands.

Hookah is the name of the game at this Westside lounge. Newly remodeled, with drinks specials running from Sunday through Thursday, Five Nine Lounge is a perfect place to snack on fries, wings, and Tex-Mex while enjoying your favorite hookah flavor. The fresh pineapple head hookah is a must.