Where to Eat in September: Pacha Nikkei, Hamsa, Cafe Louie and More

Kata Robata veteran Masaru Fukuda first introduced Houstonians to his Japanese-Peruvian food at Rice Village’s short-lived Politan Row food hall, which shut down during the pandemic. With Pacha Nikkei, Fukuda — whose resume also includes popular establishments such as Latin Bites and MAD — is looking once again to his roots, this time with a full-service restaurant serving up Nikkei cuisine, which combines Peruvian ingredients and Japanese techniques. Guests can expect a menu that leans heavily into seafood, including ceviche, grilled octopus, and sushi rolls that incorporate Peruvian spices.

This New Orleans-inspired restaurant from Layne Cruz takes over the space of longtime butcher shop and cafe Revival Market, where Cruz served as the general manager for seven years. As a NOLA native, Cruz says she’s excited to “introduce Heights regulars to a taste of the Big Easy.” Chef Steven Lamborn leads the kitchen here, offering a menu chock-full of Louisiana favorites such as po’ boys stuffed with blackened shrimp, gumbo featuring housemade andouille sausage, and a muffuletta layered with housemade olive and pepper mortadella, smoked ham, salami, provolone, mozzarella, giardiniera, and arugula on a toasted Gambino’s semolina roll.

Call 713-880-8463 or find more info here.

The team behind Doris Metropolitan steakhouse and Badolina Bakery opened their modern Israeli restaurant in May to raves — and the praise keeps coming. The menu promises to transport diners to the Middle East, with its creamy housemade hummus and fire-kissed pitas, succulent skewers, chicken shawarma, grilled whole branzino, and more. For fans of Doris Metropolitan, yes, there is steak on offer: a hanger steak with za’atar sumac butter, skordalia (a rich sauce traditionally made from garlic paste and a starchy base such as potato purée), turmeric potatoes, and chimichurri.

The name Amrina means princess in Arabic and Hindi, and this restaurant from the Kahani Social Group is designed with royalty in mind. Look to the innovative, Indian-inspired menu and luxe 10,000-square-foot interior complete with a chic dining room featuring plush seating, a cocktail bar, a tapas bar, and an open kitchen that allows diners to view the action (an in-kitchen chef’s table experience is also available). Acclaimed chef Jaspratap “Jassi” Bindra — who earned Michelin recognition for his food at Punjab Grill in Washington, D.C. — oversees the culinary direction at Amrina, serving dishes that showcase the bold flavors of all the regions of Bindra’s native India, but with new-age techniques. Think jackfruit biryani and bone-in rib eye with masala rub, madras curry, and spice butter.

This all-day, Los Angeles-inspired bakery and cafe from chef Angelo Emiliani and his pastry chef sister Lucianna (the Louie of Cafe Louie) serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the East End crowd. The menu features all the essential a.m. bites such as flaky, buttery croissants; sweet morning buns made with brown butter, dates, and golden sesame sugar; and savory kolaches stuffed with sausage, cheese, and caramelized onions. Guests will also find gorgeous housemade pastas dishes and a dry-aged smash burger served with American cheese, caramelized onions, and black garlic mayo on a brioche bun.

The owners of popular hand roll sushi joint Hando and cocktail bar Kanpai Club are serving up shareable meals at their latest Heights neighborhood concept, which puts a modern spin on traditional Vietnamese cuisine. The menu — divided into small, medium, and large plates — takes its cue from classic dishes like braised pork belly and pho. The latter, for example, is reimagined two ways: as a roll where slices of steak, fresh herbs, and fried shallots are wrapped in rice noodles and presented with a PB & J sauce, and as a stir-fried brisket dish with Chinese broccoli, shiitake mushroom, carrot, and onion, served with puffed pho noodles. The wagyu betel skewers — a take on bò nướng lá lốt — is also not to be missed.

No reservations. Find more info here.

Dallas-import Il Bracco, a contemporary Italian restaurant, made its grand entrance to the Houston dining scene in August, taking over the space that once belonged to the long-shuttered California Pizza Kitchen. Diners can expect fresh takes on Italian classics including sandwiches (like the Italian beef with shaved tri-tip, melted provolone, sautéed broccolini, giardiniera spread, and au jus for dipping), housemade pastas (such as the gemelli with spicy vodka sauce, basil, and Reggiano), and mains like the lemony chicken piccata with capers served with a kale salad.

Chris Shepherd may have departed Underbelly Hospitality, the restaurant group he founded 10 years ago, but the restaurant empire he helped build, which includes flagship steakhouse Georgia James, lives on. The restaurant moved to its permanent home in the Regent Square mixed-use development earlier this year and now features an open kitchen, a rooftop patio, and a 7,000-square-foot dining room. Among the staples that remain are the sizzling cast-iron seared steaks and the famous slab salad. But don’t sleep on new menu additions, either, like the beef carpaccio featuring pho-cured tenderloin topped with lemongrass aioli served alongside crispy rice noodles and a sprout salad with hoisin glaze.

On September 15, March reopens its doors with its newest menu incarnation: an exploration of more than 2,000 miles of the Mediterranean, spanning from the distinct flavors of the Canary and Balearic Islands to the traditional dishes of Cyprus. With it also comes a new season of perfect wine pairings — by the brilliant master sommelier June Rodil — and cocktails, including those made with the latest version of the restaurant’s housemade vermouth featuring Dolin dry and Dolin blanc infused with thyme, sage, mint, and Texas melon.

With Hispanic Heritage Month kicking off on September 15, we’d be remiss if we didn’t include on our list at least one of the countless Hispanic-owned restaurants at which to celebrate the myriad contributions this community has made to the local culture and dining scene. Renowned restauranteur Sylvia Casares — known as Houston’s Enchilada Queen — is famous for her large selection of saucy enchiladas (19 of them at last count) that are stuffed with everything from traditional Mexican vegetables and spinach to flavorful meats including the traditional chicken, ground beef, crab, or shrimp sautéed in lemon butter. The wood fire-grilled fajitas also hit the spot.

Call for reservations; find locations here.