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1 month ago | 
theinfatuation.com | Chelsea Thomas |Julie Takahashi
The original Ninfa’s in the Second Ward is a cornerstone of Tex-Mex history. It's been open since 1973, and Mama Ninfa, the original owner and restaurant’s namesake, is credited as the inventor of the fajita. If it isn’t enormous trays of fajitas flying by your table, it’ll be plates of tacos al carbon overflowing with yellow rice and refried beans. Or maybe fajita burgers piled with peppers and onions ready to be devoured. RESERVE A TABLENever order two of the same dishes at Himalaya.
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1 month ago | 
theinfatuation.com | Gianni Greene |Chelsea Thomas |Julie Takahashi
Hundreds of restaurants serve bread, but those buns, flatbreads, and loaves pale in comparison to the Nancy Cakes. We like to use each puffed-up orb to make little sandwiches with the provided cultured butter and trout roe. These fluffy cakes are worth a trip to Nancy’s Hustle all on their own. If you walk in during peak dinner hours, space at Nancy’s Hustle will be pretty limited.
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2 months ago | 
theinfatuation.com | Chelsea Thomas
Starting in Houston over 30 years ago, Carrabba’s now has over 200 locations nationwide. And even though the food isn’t going down in culinary history books, this solid Italian restaurant stays full night after night with decades-long regulars from the nearby River Oaks neighborhood. Carrabba's food is consistent, another reason why it's packed with families and couples. The menu rarely, if ever, changes. Think no-nonsense dishes like alfredo pasta and fried calamari.
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2 months ago | 
theinfatuation.com | Chelsea Thomas
photo credit: Quit NguyenRESERVE A TABLEHaving dinner at Amalfi feels like joining a secret society. It functions like Tanglewood’s private Italian kitchen, as both staff and diners, who are all regulars, greet each other on a first-name basis. And it makes sense folks would return here night after night with food this incredible. Like the ravioli made with pistachio-green pasta dough stuffed with truffle and taleggio. Or tender grilled octopus crusted in herbs.
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Jan 10, 2025 | 
theinfatuation.com | Chelsea Thomas
The Burger Joint is as close to a grilled backyard burger as you can get in the middle of Montrose. The counter-service patio restaurant makes basic griddled burgers. They’re heavy on the salt and pepper seasoning, with lettuce, tomato, and thick wavy pickles. But you can also get double patties smashed with kimchi or lamb burgers with tangy tzatziki.
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Jan 7, 2025 | 
theinfatuation.com | Chelsea Thomas
Not everyone takes salad seriously. Sometimes these bowls of vegetables are full of texture and made with just as much intention as the rest of the menu. Other times, they arrive so limp, lifeless, and haphazardly tossed you wonder if the restaurant mistook you for a hungry guinea pig. You deserve better than bland. We can’t promise all of these are healthy, but we can promise they won’t make you sad.
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Dec 4, 2024 | 
theinfatuation.com | Gianni Greene |Chelsea Thomas |Julie Takahashi
The sushi counter Kokoro comes from the team behind Handies. It's a minimalist dream, only decorated with a neon sign or two and a few rubber duckies lining the counter. Swing by for a maguro crudo or a few pieces of nigiri in a $24 box set for lunch, or stop in later in the day and grab a slice of wagyu toast and sake from the bar across the way. Bhann Bhann Thai Kitchen is perfect for a quick lunch if you’re working downtown.
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Dec 4, 2024 | 
theinfatuation.com | Chelsea Thomas
This Pakistani spot takes popular curries and kebabs and wraps them in flaky, butter-laced paratha. The next time you need something to grab and go, get the chicken tikka masala with a drizzle of garlic mayo or barbecue beef with sweet tamarind chutney. It’s the fries, however, that keep us coming back. Doused in masala spice and melted cheese, the tangy but spicy snack is great before shopping at the Galleria.
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Dec 4, 2024 | 
theinfatuation.com | Chelsea Thomas
If you love Texas barbecue (who doesn’t), Wokker's sweet and tangy barbecue sauce over their cowboy katsu curry will make your heart grow an extra size. Everything here is extremely filling—that katsu curry comes with crispy chicken, rice, and a jammy fried egg all doused in sauce, for instance. And while nothing at Wokker will blow you away, it will comfort and satiate you, especially if you throw in the brisket eggrolls.
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Nov 22, 2024 | 
theinfatuation.com | Chelsea Thomas |Gianni Greene
How to get in touch: Email them hereMilton’s is where you can enjoy some fresh air and still feel like you’re in a private room. The Rice Village Italian restaurant uses its enclosed, climate-controlled patio to host special events. But open the windows to enjoy the breeze while diving into a linguine bowl. Plus, with the open space, any squeals of glee over the cresta di gallo won’t disrupt anyone else dining.
