The November Hit List: Xin Chao, Indianola, Da Gama, and More

The acclaimed modern Vietnamese restaurant from chefs Christine Ha (a.k.a. “the blind cook” and winner of “MasterChef” season three) and Tony J. Nguyen (formerly of Saigon House) turned one this year, a momentous milestone considering the spot opened smack dab in the middle of a pandemic. To celebrate this special feat, the Xin Chao team is throwing a birthday bash on November 7, complete with a lion dance, giveaway, raffles, games, and more importantly, a tasting menu consisting of current favorite dishes and upcoming offerings.

Can’t make it to the party? Pop in any other day to indulge on signature items like the super-crispy, incredibly moist Nguyen-er Nguyen-er chicken dinner or the flavor-packed smoked beef rib flat rice noodles — a delightful play on Cantonese beef chow fun, served here with two 44 Farms Texas beef ribs that have been smoked in-house to perfection.

This charming Montrose spot from Underbelly and Momofuku alumnus Gary Ly and partner Lung Ly bills itself as both a restaurant and record bar — and it delivers delightfully on both food and tunes. The menu, which rotates often, features inventive preparations that highlight fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Recent dishes have included an octopus carpaccio with lemon vinaigrette, Calabrian aioli, marinated beech mushrooms, and pine nuts; and an incredibly tender 44 Farms Denver cut served atop a brown butter pumpkin purée with pickled mushrooms and a sage pesto. Add in some ’90s hip-hop tunes from the bar’s extensive in-house vinyl collection, and you’ve got a complete vibe.

What if, instead of spending days preparing and cooking an elaborate turkey dinner at home this year, you give yourself a much-deserved break and let someone else take the reins? If that sounds like your idea of heaven, then you’ll want to book a table for Indianola’s Thanksgiving buffet on November 25. The annual all-you-can-eat meal includes all your favorite holiday staples from heritage turkey and apple-glazed pork loin to pumpkin and pecan pie. Guests also can feast on Texas-inspired appetizers like wild Gulf shrimp cocktail and smoked cheddar boudin balls. The prix fixe is $55 for adults and $20 for children 12 and under. Children under three eat for free. Another big plus: zero cleanup for you afterward.

Here’s another Thanksgiving Day option for those looking for a ready-made, at-home dinner experience with very minimal effort. Bludorn’s chef-crafted Thanksgiving meal package is now available to pre-order from the restaurant’s website. Each $395 meal feeds eight to 10 people and includes a fully cooked 13-pound roasted heritage turkey with all the classic trimmings including butternut squash soup with toasted pumpkin seeds, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes with roasted garlic, brussels sprouts with walnuts, and stuffing. Two delectable pies — pumpkin and pecan, naturally — round out the package. Place your orders by November 18 for a November 24 pick-up.

This casual Midtown spot takes taken Indian cuisine to fresh heights — offering entirely plant-based and gluten-free fare inspired by the ancient Vedic tradition. Those in the know come for Vegan Happy Hour, which takes place every Thursday evening from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. and combines food specials and curated botanical cocktails with soulful live music.

Mantra’s not the only plant-focused game in town, however. In August, the family who brought local Mediterranean mainstay Hungry’s to famished Houstonians introduced their new vegan and vegetarian concept in Memorial. Diners at Heartbeet can expect hearty mains including the grilled balsamic-marinated portobello “steak,” which comes with turmeric-roasted veggies and herb basmati rice, and the curry tofu with brown rice and sun-dried tomato apricot walnut cream sauce. A variety of fresh-pressed juices and refreshing plant-centric cocktails, such as the spicy pineapple margarita and the vodka-based blueberry basil lemonade, also await.

Peggy and Daniel Chang have been serving up gorgeously plated, Insta-worthy nigiri and sashimi platters at the popular Uptown Sushi in Houston’s Galleria area for more than 15 years. Now they’re taking their fresh ingredients and flawless presentation a little further north to the CityPlace development in Spring. At this new concept, guests can look forward to both customary sushi offerings and, true to the restaurant’s name, more creative takes like the foie gras nigiri with sushi-sweet apple sauce and housemade apple chips, and the lightly smoked and seared A5 wagyu nigiri topped with tamari soy, fresh grated wasabi, and olive oil. Vegetarian diners will also be pleased to see a variety of vegetable-forward rolls available.

Fall at this enduring Italian gem in the Heights can only mean one thing: the return of seasonal stand-outs like the savory mushrooms and taleggio cheese pizza with white sauce, Texas pecans, and scallions; and the wood-fired roasted pear crostata with cream. Other noteworthy additions to the menu of late: the earthy-peppery grilled hen of the woods, eggplant caponata, and grilled endive salad with anchovy vinaigrette. Our humble opinion: get ’em all before the season ends.

Shiva and Rick Di Virgilio, the husband-and-wife chef duo behind Midtown’s Oporto Fooding House & Wine, marry together the cuisines of Portugal and India with their latest concept in the Heights. “The soul of the restaurant reflects the background and experiences of Shiva and myself. A love story that’s evolved into 15 years of cooking and serving Houston,” in the words of Rick Di Virgilio. Must-try creations include the Goan fish swimming in turmeric coconut curry masala; the wood-grilled lamb rib mattar served with curry, green peas, and fried onions; and crab pani puri with avocado puree and chutney. Pro tip: swing by their café window in the morning to grab a cup of aromatic chai along with some malasada doughnuts.

Call 281-888-7806 for reservations.

Here’s some sad news for fans of Chris Shepherd’s beloved Montrose beer bar — it’s set to close by year’s end. Stop by before the Hay Merchant’s final last call to grab famed offerings like the ridiculously crispy pig ears, the pork rinds with spring onion dip, and a muffuletta that rivals those in New Orleans. A silver lining in this dark cloud: the popular Cease & Desist burger — assembled with two 44 Farms patties and all the fixings — will continue to satiate cravings at Underbelly’s forthcoming burger stand at the Houston Farmer’s Market.