Sunday

04-20-2025 Vol 1936

Weekend Dining Recommendations in Houston: Try These Four Hot Spots

Eater Houston is introducing a new weekly feature to assist food enthusiasts in answering the oft-asked question: “Where should I eat?”
This week, we highlight four standout dining options in Houston you won’t want to miss this weekend.
And for those in search of cocktail recommendations, we’ve also curated a list of the trendiest places to enjoy drinks in town.

### For the waffle of your dreams: Agnes and Sherman
**250 West 19th Street, Heights**
Chef Nick Wong’s Asian American diner, Agnes and Sherman, has recently opened in the Heights, and it has already piqued the interest of food lovers.
Having personally sampled some of the dishes, including the Crawfish Egg Foo Young, I was instantly transported back to my childhood, reminiscent of the traditional Chinese American version my dad often ordered.
Additionally, the al pastor fried rice and a wedge salad adorned with Chinese sausage and youtiao, Taiwanese doughnuts, proved to be delightful choices.
However, the true star of the menu is Wong’s scallion waffle.
This savory waffle, elegantly infused with scallions and served with a creamy sambal honey butter, offers a perfect balance of flavors, combining a hint of sweetness with its savory base.
The visual appeal of the waffle enhances the experience—watching Lisa Lee, Agnes and Sherman’s co-owner, break it apart to enjoy with her hands only solidified its allure.
Upon returning to the Eater team with photos, the waffle was dubbed a “sexy waffle,” with many coworkers proclaiming, “I need this waffle.”
Trust me, based on firsthand experience, this is a waffle you’ll want to try.

For more information on the delightful offerings at Agnes and Sherman, check out Eater Houston’s most recent Inside the Dishes feature.

### For a standout brunch that just happens to be vegan: Ginger Mule
**449 West 19th Street, Suite C-200, Heights**
Although late to the game, my recent visit to Ginger Mule, an all-day vegan restaurant that opened in 2015, was a delightful surprise.
I stopped by on a Sunday morning and was thoroughly impressed by the Juniper Medley, which provides excellent value at $23.
This dish includes two pancakes or two slices of French toast, an omelet of your choosing made with Just Egg substitute, two soy sausage patties, a bowl of fruit, and a side of salsa and guacamole (with no extra charge for the guacamole).
I was particularly taken by the powdered sugar-dusted Levain French toast, which had a texture that perfectly held up to maple syrup, and the omelet, filled with “mozzarella,” onions, spinach, and mushrooms, was both satisfying and indistinguishable from traditional eggs.
I opted for the refreshing Verde Poderoso green juice for $9, which was a worthy addition to my meal.
The overall atmosphere was enjoyable, with a friendly bartender recommending the three breakfast tacos ($14) as well.
The bustling dining room and outdoor space shared with local businesses create a vibrant brunch atmosphere that is truly inviting for the spring season.

### For étouffée like you’ve likely never had before: Eunice
**3737 Buffalo Speedway, Suite 100, Upper Kirby**
Eunice, a Cajun-Creole restaurant, continues to impress with its remarkable cast-iron cornbread, served generously with butter.
While the menu offers various spring-inspired dishes, such as a refreshing tuna tartare with miso, avocado, strawberries, and cilantro, it was the crawfish étouffée that held my attention.
Chef Drake Leonards has presented a creative yet respectful take on this Louisiana classic, placing the creamy étouffée over homemade pasta instead of the traditional rice.
The addition of fried shrimp à la Harry adds a delightful crunch and the combination of flavors is simply divine.
Crawfish étouffée over rigatoni, paired with crispy fried shrimp? This dish epitomizes comfort food for me.
Moreover, during my visit, I was also pleasantly surprised by the in-house ground beef burger, which made it onto Eater Houston’s best burgers list.
The service is warm and inviting, and the beautiful, enclosed patio is a perfect setting to enjoy a meal while taking in the fleeting lovely Houston weather.

### For the most stellar soufflés: Leo’s River Oaks
**2009 West Gray Street, # A, River Oaks**
This recently opened restaurant in River Oaks has quickly gained recognition, clinching Culturemap Houston’s Best New Restaurant award.
The raw bar is impressive, featuring incredibly fresh King crab, while the steaks, especially the New York strip, are reliably excellent.
The truffle anglotti is a must-try dish, and the selection of Old Fashioneds, including one inspired by Elvis Presley, offers a fun twist.
But let’s focus on the soufflés.
Those with a sweet tooth may find themselves in a delightful dilemma when faced with a menu that includes a mille-feuille with caramelized apples and two soufflés in chocolate and orange-ginger.
Without hesitation, I recommend ordering the orange-ginger soufflé, a delightful puffy dessert served with a side of cream poured tableside.
Each spoonful of this airy pastry combined with cream provides a heavenly explosion of flavor, thanks to the delightful zing of ginger and bright citrus notes.
Though intimidating in size, rest assured, it’s so good that you could easily polish it off by yourself in one sitting.

image source from:https://houston.eater.com/2025/4/18/24411538/houston-restaurant-recommendations-eater-editor-april-18-2025

Abigail Harper