TASTE

The spirit of the French Riviera has landed at The Galleria as acclaimed coastal Mediterranean concept Fig & Olive officially opens its first Houston outpost tomorrow.

The pot of gold – a sensational spread of Irish cuisine – can be found at CITYCENTRE’s Milano Bar on March 16.

After six years of serving as Dallas’ haven for premium, handcrafted sandwiches, nationally acclaimed East Hampton Sandwich Co. is embarking on its first major expansion through Houston with locations in River Oaks District and Montrose starting in April.

While Mexican eatery Arnaldo Richards’ Picos is already known for its impressive Sunday brunch buffet, the restaurant is upping the ante on its AM offerings with the introduction of weekday breakfast service.

It’s location number five for popular scratch sandwich shop Local Foods, which recently debuted its newest outpost in the burgeoning Heights Mercantile development. The brand — helmed by dynamic duo Benjy Levit and Dylan Murray — introduces its signature formula of sourcing ingredients, produce, veggies and protein from local purveyors, farmers and ranchers to one of Houston’s fastest-growing neighborhoods.

Decadent truffles were put on display at the fourth annual Truffle Masters 2018 event, where hundreds of guests witnessed 22 of Houston’s top culinary professionals battle for the coveted Truffle Masters title.

Whether you’re observing Lent or merely adopting a meatless lifestyle, these Houston restaurants have you covered with a bevy of flavor-packed, seafood-centric dishes:

The Houston restaurant scene is brimming with special Valentine’s Day menus. Just take your pick:

ARA: Choose from a trio of themed menus: Romantic Couples, Friends with Benefits and It’s Complicated. $65 per person with a champagne toast.

It’s safe to say Houston’s first James Beard award-winning chef — Robert Del Grande — has an affinity for steak.

Calling all meat lovers! Japanese steak, seafood and sushi concept Roka Akor is putting its premium steak offerings on full display all January long as part of the restaurant’s National Steak Month.

Beat the icy temps with these specialty soups.

No holiday season in Houston is complete without a festive tamale spread. Picos continues its culinary tradition with another iteration of its annual tamale stand.

Much anticipated Emmaline has arrived in the Montrose area, and it was well worth the wait. The former Teala’s space, 3210 W. Dallas, steps from Buffalo Bayou Park has been completely reimagined by veteran restaurateur Sam Governale as a stylishly comfortable, come as you are neighborhood kitchen and bar.

Instagram is in a flurry about the Rottet Studio-designed interiors of downtown’s new Hotel Alessandra. If you’re not ready for an overnight, take an evening to indulge in the sophisticated surroundings of Bardot lounge, perched above Dallas Street.

Washington Avenue may be losing a staple restaurant, but it’s gaining a culinary classic. Restaurateur Benjy Levit will close down his eponymous eatery benjy’s on Washington at the end of the year to make way for an entirely new concept dubbed The Classic — All Day.

Yauatcha is taking weekday lunch to new heights with the addition of yum cha, the Cantonese tradition involving Chinese tea and dim sum.

Benjy’s on Washington: Enjoy a three-course prix-fixe menu this Thanksgiving for $40 per person, which features everything from garlic herb turkey to herb-crusted tofu steak.

Enjoy a taste of the season and peek inside a stunning new Montrose area home on November 12 from 2-4 pm, courtesy of Thermador.

Halloween isn’t October’s only claim to fame. The month also hosts one of the most delicious titles of the year — National Seafood Month. Visit these four eateries for your ultimate seafood fix:

Midtown landmark Damian’s Cucina Italiana is bringing a fresh focus to its intimate Portofino Bar. Thirty-four years in the making, the 30-seat watering hole introduces its first happy hour, available Monday-Friday from 4-6:30pm. End your day with complimentary house-made chips tossed in rosemary and sea salt, and choose from a menu with shareable items like calamari tartufato with truffle oil, shaved parmesan, green onion and lime or flatbread di polpette, served with Mama’s famous meatballs. The revamped cocktail and wine list showcases classics, including the Sicilian cosmopolitan plus Italian wines ranging from $5-$8.

Yauatcha — an upscale, Chinese dim sum teahouse meets patisserie from Hakkasan Group — may have opened its first Houston location less than six months ago, but it’s already flexing its Bayou City pride in the wake of Hurricane Harvey.

ARA Restaurant at Royal Sonesta Houston pays tribute to J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, an esteemed Northern California family-owned and operated winery on Friday, Sept. 22.