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: John Kuykendall Traded Newcaster Dream for Success in Luxury Retail

John Kuykendall, Showroom Manager, Sub-Zero, Wolf and Cove

How did you get to where you are today? Growing up I had envisioned myself as a news anchor, living in NY and enthusiastically saying into the camera “Good Morning America!”. To this day, I am still a news/political junkie. My mother owned fur salons so specialty retail, luxury retail was in my blood through the family business. Eventually, mom shuttered the stores and I was recruited to a large specialty retailer. Over the next 30 years, I was in commissioned sales on the sales floor, became a department manager, worked my way up to buyer and store manager. Although I never became a newscaster, I did live in NYC for a few years. But Texas is home and with aging grandparents, I felt the pull to come back to my roots. A headhunter approached me. I never envisioned myself in the high-end appliance market, but there are so many similarities. Clients want a memorable experience; whether shopping for diamonds and fur or remodeling their kitchen.

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Parties

Morris Smith, Tilman Fertitta and Toni Smith

THE HOUSTON CHILDREN'S Charity gala is always anticipated, thanks to the big-deal musical acts brought in to entertain; this year it was Chicago. But the headliners this year were the generous donors, who seemed to surprise even event organizer with their largesse, with a total till of $6.2 million, a record.

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Party People