Bacon-Washed Tequila, Japanese Shaved Ice, Insane Milkshakes and More Must-Haves from Five Newbies Bowing Now

After much anticipation, restaurateur Levi Goode’s two new upscale concepts — Credence and Sidebar, the first under his own name — will open Aug. 20 on the ground level of The McKinley in Memorial City. Both emphasize hospitality with traditional tableside service for salads, carved meats from the hearth, desserts and more. Credence’s menuis South Texas ranch-inspired with regional American fare paying homage to Texas culinary traditions and live-fire. Think Fire Roasted Seafood Tower, Sweetwater Whole Duck and Wild Gulf Snapper served with trout roe, cooked on a custom-made hearth. Expect an extensive raw bar, and at brunch, look for Southern classics like shrimp and grits.

Inspired by the Texas oil boom of the early 1900s, Sidebar is a reservation-only restaurant and cocktail bar. The food menu spotlights classic elevated American fare with dishes like dry-aged steaks, oysters topped with caviar and more. Designed in partnership with Gensler, Credence and Sidebar are influenced by classical European architecture, with a procession of arches used as a central design feature throughout and a double barrel-vaulted ceiling. Locally crafted tabletops, wood floors, brass inlays, penny tile and hand-selected antique rugs are additional polished elements with swagger. Find patio seating at Sidebar as well as Credence.

New to Upper Kirby, Kira from Comma Hospitality follows on the heels of the group’s contemporary Japanese omakase hideaway, Neo. The sushi bar features hand rolls with a soundtrack of Japanese city pop. Interiors are designed to evoke the tranquil, powerful nature of a cave, creating an intimate dining environment to focus on the culinary and auditory experience. Menu highlights include a Seasonal Sashimi Set with swordfish from Nova Scotia, kanpachi from Kyushu, and madai from Mie, Japan; a lox bagel temaki with applewood smoked ocean trout, chives, and freeze-dried sour cream; and scallop crudo. Premium donburi with uni, maguro, ikura, masu, and kasusuke pickles, and seasonal Kakigorimade using a Japanese shaved ice maker are other specialties. Cocktails are inventive, like the 15 Step made with applewood-bacon-washed tequila, cucumber and yuzu.

Houston’s bar industry seems to be competing for showiest cocktail lounge, so no surprise another one has taken flight. This high-energy cocktail bar in the Heights, the first project from Golden Ratio Hospitality Group, sports peacock panache in Art-Deco-inspired interiors. "Plume is designed to make you feel at home, whether you're out with friends or on a date," said co-owner Ted Baker. Getting thirsty? The Chili Kissed Avocado Margarita is made with chili-oil-washed tequila and avocado cordial with a rim of chamoy and spicy salt. Rich and Dirty is fashioned with Kastra Elion Vodka, extra-virgin vermouth, and housemade olive brine, shaken and served with a blue-cheese-stuffed olive. Tapas-style bites run the gamut from meatballs in chipotle ragoût with Parmesan to bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with Stilton.

Smoky goblets, mountainous sundaes and eye-popping brunch featuring every color of the rainbow (really!) have made their way to Houston’s Galleria, and shoppers seem to be curious what the celeb hype is about. Said to be a favorite of the Kardashians, comedian Kevin Hart and Britney Spears, the international hotspot specializing in sugar offers savory American classics as well (we all know celebs don’t eat sweets). Anticipate Angus burgers with “super cheesy sauce,” Cajun penne Alfredo, and salads like pan-roasted salmon. Splurge-worthy “Insane Milkshakes” are massive and topped with the kitchen sink – there’s a waffle ice cream version, and even one for Barbie!