1. Nancy’s Hustle
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This unpretentious bistro has been a favorite of Houstonians since debuting in East Downtown in 2017. But don’t let the casual setting fool you — this is high-end fare. Take just one bite of the pillowy Nancy Cakes topped with slightly sweet, slightly tangy cultured butter, chives, and beautiful orange pearls of smoked trout roe and you’ll know what we mean. Don’t leave without sampling pastry and sous chef Julie Doran’s divine desserts, either. The incredibly fluffy Parmesan cheesecake served with honey and spicy coarse black pepper is a must. Also hop over to sister restaurant Tiny Champions, where Doran lends her dough-fermenting prowess to the restaurant’s beautifully charred thin-crust pizzas.