The Resy Guide to Autumn in Houston
Behold: All the dining experiences we’re most excited about this fall, a.k.a. everywhere we want to eat and drink right now.
1. Savor the days of ideal outdoor dining by…
… booking yourself a table at Dante’s River Oaks. Charcuterie, pasta, grilled seafood, and a dreamy patio bedecked with string lights and wispy white drapes await.
2. Toast to the new season by…
… grabbing an expertly prepared cocktail, or one of 74 types of craft beer, at Bayou Heights Bier Garten, new from the Kirby Group (Holman Draft Hall, Heights Biergarten). Don’t drink? Visit the dedicated coffee and tea bar, or simply indulge in the menu of smoked meats.
3. Put some time on your calendar to…
… explore all of the new dining destinations in the city, like Pastore, the new Italian coastal spot from Underbelly Hospitality. Find a list of the latest restaurant openings in Houston here.
4. Take a weekend trip to the Woodlands, and head to…
… a neighborhood gem, like Fielding’s Local Kitchen & Bar. The Woodlands-area favorite, located in the Creekside Village Park Center, has a buzzy bar scene with more than 400 wine and spirit options, and a comforting New American menu with a spotlight on dry-aged meats.
5. Or, if you prefer to stay in the loop, check out a neighborhood you haven’t been to in a while like…
… Montrose, where newcomer Elro Pizza + Crudo is making waves. Housed in a fully transformed Montrose bungalow, and helmed by veteran chef Terrence Gallivan of Pass & Provisions fame, the restaurant pairs wood-fired pies with a variety of crudos in a playful and intimate setting.
6. Check out an exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, and then…
… treat yourself to a modern dining experience at Le Jardinier, housed inside the Kinder Building. Here, art is showcased on the plate with colorful dishes incorporating the bounty of the season, and plated with exceptional creativity and care. Pro tip: The seasonal expression tasting menu is worth the splurge.
7. Now that everyone’s back from vacation, it’s time to gather the crew for brunch at…
… Traveler’s Table in Montrose. Hearty breakfast dishes with international flair are complemented by a robust beverage program that includes margaritas and Champagne-fueled cocktails that can be prepared as full-size drinks, shots, or flights.
8. Or bring everyone together for…
… dinner and a free concert at The Rustic. The live music venue, with locations in Downtown and Uptown, showcases local and national performers, and offers a sprawling indoor and outdoor space to stay and socialize over cocktails or enjoy a relaxed meal.
9. Cozy up to a good book, or bask in all of the good people watching…
… at the quaint and serene patio at Montrose Cheese & Wine, which serves as a charming backdrop for making a meal for one out of artisan cheeses, salamis, and sliced baguette. Snagging a seat at the bar at Nancy’s Hustle, where you’ll have a front row seat to the restaurant’s seasoned bar pros concocting cocktails and zero-proof beverages, is a livelier alternative.
10. Partake in one of the season’s special events…
… like a five-course collaborative chef’s dinner at Bludorn on September 21, featuring Houston’s Truth BBQ and chef James London of Chubby Fish in South Carolina. Or, consider dropping by Lees Den on September 19 for the restaurant’s free monthly wine tasting with Wilson Daniels, and purchase a few bottles to take home and enjoy later.
