Devouring Houston 2024: A Tasty Round-Up of What’s New and Notable

Devouring Houston 2024: A Tasty Round-Up of What’s New and Notable

Alexandra Peña (photo by Jhane Hoang)

THE CITY'S DINING scene has never been bigger or better. Step inside the trendiest and tastiest H-Town restaurants now!


Du Jour: Turning Blue

Alexandra Peña (photo by Jhane Hoang)

The industry pros behind Bludorn and Navy Blue — bolstered by a James Beard nod for Best Hospitality — are opening their latest project in Hedwig Village soon. Bar Bludorn will be led by chef Alexandra Peña, a bombshell who is responsible for turning the Bludorns’ fine-dining fare into that of a more approachable, neighborhood-staple tavern. Peña, 30, was raised in Cypress, and draws inspiration from her kitchen-savvy grandmother.

Du Jour: Going Big

The Miss Moneypenny martini at Little’s (photo by Arturo Olmos)

Pristine seafood and a happening bar — what’s not to love about buzzy seafood palace Little’s Oyster Bar from Pappas Restaurant Group? Chef Jason Ryczek, a California transplant and caviar expert, continues to wow with his elegant and reverent culinary style incorporating the top seafood of the moment. Don’t miss hits like Texas Redfish with Castelvetrano olive salsa verde; chicken-fried American red snapper; and blue-crab-broiled oysters with Parmesan, breadcrumbs, and sauce choron.

People: Mideast Magic

Yotam Dolev (photo by Kirsten Gilliam)

Inspired by the Shabbat dinners of his childhood, Hamsa’s exec chef Yotam Dolev fuses classic and modern Israeli cuisine to brilliant effect, from silky tahini cleverly blended with butternut squash to gorgeously grilled shrimp skewers in vivacious lemon chimichurri. Hamsa’s owners received a 2024 James Beard nod for Outstanding Restaurateur.

Du Jour: Call It a Comeback

Linquine Pescatora at Sorrento

A beloved Italian stalwart is reborn, as Sorrento Ristorante refreshes under new owners: Robert and Melissa Salim are former patrons who loved it so much they bought it! Think not only classics like lobster tortellini with handmade pasta, but also new pizzas, salads and desserts. Holy cannoli! And it’s not just for fancy dinners anymore. The ideal spot for biz lunches thanks to its graciously spaced-out seating, Sorrento adds brunch March 3. Expect a new top-tier player in the elegant upper echelon of Sunday Funday.

People: Girl Power

Benchawan Painter, a.k.a. Chef G (photo by Jhane Hoang)

Chef Benchawan Jabthong Painter, who won the 2023 James Beard for Best Chef: Texas, couldn’t have known what her future held when she opened Street to Kitchen in the East End during the height of the pandemic. But her “unapologetically Thai” food acquired lines out the door, and she just moved into a three-times-larger space down the street. She also recently opened Th Prsrv, the world’s first Choctaw-Thai restaurant, in Kemah.

Du Jour: Endless Summer

An explosion of flavors at Jūn

Still on the best-new-restaurant lists across the nation after opening a year ago, Jun charms with its fusion menu and laid-back setting. Its most recent accolade is a semifinalist nomination for the 2024 James Beard Awards category of Best New Restaurant. Together with biz partner Henry Lu, chef Evelyn Garcia weaves dishes that nod to her Mexican-Salvadorian heritage and his Chinese heritage. Witness wonderous plates like roasted carrots with salsa matcha and Top Chef-lauded lamb shank with curry.

Du Jour: Numbers Game

Key lime pie at Steak 48 (photo by Woncho Lee)

A sceney steakhouse issues a challenge: Can you save room for this delightfully dense, triple-layer key lime pie with fresh whipped cream and lime “caviar”? At Steak 48, where the menu boasts decadence like chicken-fried lobster tails and Thai-chili-braised pork belly (those are just the starters!), it’s a must.

Food
Leadership in Action: ‘Family, Community and Spiritual Connection’ Drives Success for Henry Richardson

How did you get to where you are today? The present moment is a combined history of my family, my time as an athlete, my passion for learning, and my desire to see the world be better. I grew up as a successful springboard and platform diver, however, an injury caused me to seek alternative treatments to heal my body. In that process, I discovered the power of yoga, exercise, meditation, mindset, and nutrition. This holistic approach eventually led me to open a Pilates and cycling studio called DEFINE body & mind. I opened studios around the nation, and after selling most of my business between 2017-2019, I was ready to explore how I could make an even greater impact on the wellbeing of our community. In 2023, I started actively working on a brand new multi-family/apartment concept called, Define Living. The idea focused on offering health and wellness services within a beautiful apartment setting to increase the wellbeing of our residents. Having a strong sense of community is the number one factor in living a happy life, so why not build a community where daily fitness, cooking classes, and social connection are the norm? We opened Define Living in March of 2024, and we couldn’t be happier with how things are being received. We are already looking at building more concepts like this in the Houston area and beyond.

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Photo by Lynn Lane

HOUSTON GRAND OPERA’S second fall repertoire production is Gioachino Rossini’s Cinderella. The colorful, commedia dell'arte-inspired production opens Friday, Oct. 25, and stars Grammy Award-winning mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard — a breathtaking brunette beauty, even when doused in soot — in bel canto role of Angelina, known to her mean step-sisters as “Cenerentola.”

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Art + Entertainment

BRETT MILLER WAS just 10 years old when his parents took him to a screening of the 1925 silent film, The Phantom of the Opera, starring Lon Chaney as “The Phantom” of the Paris Opera House, with an accompanying soundtrack played live by an organist. The film contains one of the most famous “reveals” on celluloid (We won’t give it away!) and is all the more shocking when accompanied by live music played on the Phantom’s favorite instrument.

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