The January Hit List: Golfstrommen, Neo, Savoir, and More

Chef Christopher Haatuft of Norway’s celebrated Lysverket restaurant chose the Bayou City for his American debut, and Houston’s dining scene is ever more vibrant for it. Haatuft, known as the “punk chef godfather of neo-Fjordic cuisine” (see what he did there?), brings high quality, sustainably sourced seafood to downtown’s newly opened Post Houston, a massive mixed-use development space housed in the gorgeously transformed historic Barbara Jordan Post Office. Expect a menu that highlights Nordic flavors and offerings straight from the Gulf, such as a recent catch-of-the-day ceviche prepared with a tart, yogurt-like broth and finished with seasonal herbs and produce. You can also purchase fresh seafood to prepare at home.

This intimate eight-seat counter tucked away inside clothing store Glass Cypress in Montrose has become one of the hottest — and hardest to nab — tickets in town since quietly debuting in late 2020. Former Uchi chefs Luis Mercado and Paolo Justo serve up an “avant-garde-inspired” and seasonally driven omakase of 18 to 20 courses comprising a mix of nigiri and composed dishes; beverages are also included in the price of the meal. For the month of January, however, Neo will focus solely on nigiri by doing what they do best — seamlessly blending traditional culinary art forms with innovative techniques. One recent offering, for example, was a dry-aged Japanese beltfish nigiri topped with delicate strands of miso-cured egg yolk. If creations such as this are any indication, diners are in for 16 courses of blissful bites.

Follow their Instagram page for openings.

Looking to start 2022 off with a delicious bang? A tasty post-New Year’s brunch awaits at this EaDo favorite. Those who favor sweeter brunch fare can satiate their craving with items like the fluffy blueberry pancakes with hazelnut mascarpone and the Rainier cherry tartine made with sourdough, red wine cherry jam, crème fraiche, and hazelnut dukkah. Meanwhile, guests wanting something more savory can choose from options like the smoked ham hock croquette, the blue crab Benedict, and the grass-fed lamb sliders served with jalapeño, caramelized onion, and smoked cheddar.

This Dallas import from restauranteur Khanh Nguyen is known for its seriously creative pizzas. And now with a location in Midtown — Zalat’s first outside of Dallas — Houstonians can finally taste what the hype is all about too. Hits include the popular pho-inspired pizza (named the Pho Shizzle, natch), which is topped with chicken, red bell peppers, caramelized onions, and a swirl of sweet hoisin and spicy sriracha sauces; the elote pizza with corn, lemon pepper reduction, Parm, cilantro, and Valentina hot sauce; and the Nashville hot chicken and pickle pie, which features Zalat’s famed SriRancha sauce, a wonderful combination of sriracha and ranch. Feeling more classic? The menu also offers traditional options including Margherita, pepperoni, sausage, and cheese pies.

Call (713) 903-3420 to order.

After pressing pause on in-person dining late last month due to the Omicron variant, this charming pizza joint from the team behind Nancy’s Hustle is back to serving its full menu of mouthwatering pies, including their new mushroom pie. The creamy, earthy, crispy pizza starts with a mushroom and crème fraiche base and is then topped with roasted mushrooms and onions, Gruyere and mozzarella, roasted potatoes, and fermented green onions.

Patio dining available.

This exclusive sushi pop-up takes place but once a month at Hidden Omakase, so diners must be nimble-fingered to score a coveted spot at the 14-seat counter — and those who do are treated to a truly decadent experience. Norigami specializes in hand rolls, but not just any ordinary hand rolls. These are stuffed to the brim with the finest ingredients and served open in a wooden dish that holds the roll’s U-like shape. Picture a taco, but instead of a hard shell filled with ground beef, it’s a paper-thin sheet of crisp nori housing salmon dressed in yuzu soy and roasted garlic aioli. Guests can order either à la carte or by sets of three, four, or five. If you’re feeling extra splurgy, try the à la carte-only toro, A5 wagyu, uni, or foie gras fillings — or all four together plus caviar.

Follow their Instagram page for details.

This Houston institution has been dishing out classic French cuisine for more than a decade. Long a haunt for Houston’s glamorous set, Brasserie 19’s sleek interior and stylish outdoor patio offer a lovely setting to enjoy perennial favorites like fresh oysters on the half shell, trout almondine, beef bourguignon, and the French onion chicken sandwich — a weekend brunch item that savvy regulars know they can order daily.

Patio dining available.

From the team behind Ginger Kale, this fast-casual, all-day café in Garden Oaks is simply stunning with its airy, sun-drenched space, lush greenery, and warm wood, burgundy, and blush color palette. The menu is even more inviting and features signature drinks such as lattes flavored with honey sea salt and brown sugar cinnamon, and healthful dishes like colorful chia puddings, acai bowls, and hearty salads. Grabbing something to go? The convenient drive-thru window is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

There’s nothing quite as satisfying as devouring a bowl (or plate in certain cases) of freshly made pasta, and this Rice Village staple is a master of the craft. Everything from fresh spaghetti and pappardelle to rigatoni and ravioli are rolled in-house daily, with the pastas providing blank canvases for a variety of beautiful sauces and preparations. Our top pick: the spaghetti carbonara, Coppa’s signature dish made with black pepper, parsley, butter, microplaned Italian salami, and an egg yolk, and tossed tableside with Parmesan cream.

Patio dining available.

This chef-driven Heights charmer has been winning acclaim for its European-inspired fare since opening its doors in 2018. Led by chef Eric Johnson today, the seasonal menu is always worth revisiting. Recent standouts have included the pork chop with cranberry and mustard beurre blanc and the creamy porcini rigatoni with pine nuts, sage, pecorino romano, and lemon. Mosey on over to Savoir’s speakeasy cocktail bar, SiP (Shelter in Place) — the entrance is through the wine cellar — afterwards to top off the evening.

Patio dining available.