The April Hit List: March, Zaab Der, Littlefoot, Toasted Coconut, and More

With a grand March 31 debut, March — the hotly anticipated restaurant from Goodnight Hospitality, which also owns Rosie Cannonball, Montrose Cheese & Wine, and Goodnight Charlie’s — has finally arrived. Led by chef/partner Felipe Riccio, the six- to nine-course tasting delves into the boundaries and frontiers of the Mediterranean. A tuna ventresca draws inspiration from Tunisia; the Fifth Quarter tagine from the traditions of working-class Rome. With just 28 seats, the intimate, elegant setting features original artwork and handblown Murano glass. Also noteworhty is the 11,000-bottle wine list, curated by a six-person sommelier team under the guidance of parter and master sommelier June Rodil.

Dining status: Ticketed reservations available up to 60 days in advance.

How quickly time flies. Having debuted in February, Kaitlin Steets’ three-month tasting menu pop-up is already coming to an end. The last day of service will be May 3. Until then, diners can book seatings every Friday through Monday in April and taste her take on French cuisine. Choose from a vegetable tasting or omnivore tasting, to experience dishes such coal-roasted lion’s mane mushrooms dressed with with Bordelaise sauce, or a perfectly roasted quail with braised fennel and Chartreuse.

Dining status: Open for dinner by ticketed reservation.

Born in Udorn Thani, in the northeastern area of Thailand known as Isaan, owner Napaharut Amorndetsuriya turns out a beautiful mix of traditional dishes from Isaan and beyond at this new hidden gem in Memorial. Bring friends and order with abandon: The menu is huge, and the house specialties — tum Thai papaya salad, moo ping grilled pork skewers, crab fried rice, and more — are absolutely winning. Bonus: The restaurant offers BYOB with no corkage.

Dining Status: Open for dine-in, with takeout and free delivery within a 3.5 mile radius. More info here, or call 832-230-4091.

Ramen lovers can once again partake of silky bone broth and noodles at this beloved Montrose ramen house, which had been closed for dine-in since the beginning of the pandemic. Now with new safety protocols — temperature screening and hand sanitizing at the door; new plexiglass dividers installed at the communal tables; QR menus with contactless ordering — the dining experience is entirely safe, and the noodles still as soulful and delicious as ever. Reservations recommended.

Dining status: Open for dine in at lunch and dinner, with curbside pickup and delivery.

Fans of the former Bistro Provence will love its new incarnation as Bistro 555. Tiny and quaint, with patio seating and a menu of French classics like oven-fired French onion soup, duck cassoulet, and steak frites, the bistro is thriving again thanks to a dream team of a partnership between brothers Sylvain and David Denis of Le Mistral in the Energy Corridor, and Christophe and Laurence Paul of Cafe Rabelais in Rice Village.

Dining status: Open for dine-in with curbside takeout. Call 713-827-8008 for reservations.

Yes, tiki is back, and you can find it in Montrose. Enjoy tropical cocktails and shareable plates underneath the breezy palapa at this fun Museum District spot from the husband and wife team Martin and Sarah Stayer, of popular Montrose restaurant Nobie’s. Never mind that it’s not a beachfront location: From Baja mussels to butter chicken hot wings to the world famous cheeseburger — not to mention the all-day brunch option — the provisions and the drinks channel a tropical oasis right in the middle of our concrete jungle.

Dining status: Open for dining in, with a large patio, and takeout available.

Part wine-tasting room, part Napa-esque farmhouse, this upscale wine bar and restaurant in Heights welcomes novice wine drinkers and connoisseurs alike. For a progressive night on the town, begin with a wine flight in the tasting room before moving into the luxe farmhouse for a full dinner experience. A Coravin wine system ensures that you can taste premium pours without ordering a full bottle, so plan accordingly and take an Uber.

Dining status: Open for dine-in, with patio seating.

What is it about the 1980’s that inspires such, um, passion? Step foot inside Hungry Like the Wolf, the new ’80’s diner from former owner of Corkscrew Wine Bar owner Andy Adams, and you may have your answer. It’s filled with era-appropriate nostalgia — envision a neon Rubik’s Cube chandelier, and Ms. Pacman tabletop arcade console — and music to set the mood. Bop to the sound of Wham!, Duran Duran, and Spandau Ballet while munching on plates of meatloaf, or sandwiches with names like Kelly LeBrock or The Culture Club.

Dining Status: Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with late night hours until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. More info here, or call 346 320-2622.

Bright blue tables and an ambiance reminiscent of the mom-and-pop street food stalls in Chengdu greet you at this charming new Sichuan restaurant. One of more than 1,000 locations worldwide, MaluBianBian specializes in what’s known as chuan chuan huo, or skewer-style hot pot. A cook-at-the-table experience similar to fondue, patrons choose from a variety of skewers such as shrimp balls, enoki bacon, or tofu skin, then cook it in a choice of broth. The signature broth is unapologetically spicy and numbing, but that’s why we love it.

Dining status: Open for dine-in, with curbside pickup and delivery. More info here. 

With one of the loveliest patios in Houston, La Table beckons with classic French fare such as oysters and caviar, French onion soup, and steak frites. Now with a fantastic three-course prix-fixe available all day Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and for lunch on Fridays and Saturdays, there’s even more reason to visit.

Dining status: Open for dine-in, with patio, curbside, and delivery.