MaKiin
MaKiin invites guests on a journey through Thai flavors and traditions, no passport required. Owner, Lukkaew Srasrisuwan, encourages first-time diners to begin with the Appetizer Symphony, a shareable starter and tasty way to start the meal. From there, the Tom Yum soup, with lemongrass, kaffir lime, and roasted Thai chili pepper, is flavorful and fresh, while the Tom Kha galangal coconut soup is a non-spicy alternative.
Srasrisuwan suggests enjoying the meal family-style with jasmine and purple rice alongside slow-braised beef short ribs in Northern curry broth and golden turmeric deep sea snapper served with Thai mignonette. Tamarind-glazed Brussels sprouts and house-made coconut ice cream are delicious options to round out the experience.
Makiin's regulars come back for dishes including the Majestic Ocean Medley, a glass noodle dish with scallop, lobster, calamari, and shrimp, or the Curry Carnival appetizer served with roti and three distinct curries.
"I built MaKiin with my passion to showcase Thai culture through food and artifacts," says Srasrisuwan. This fall, the restaurant will introduce its first chef's tasting menu, timed with MaKiin's second anniversary.
Love Croissants
Owner Omar Pereney believes that croissants are the ultimate love language – indulgent, comforting, and luxurious. Made layer by layer with care and patience at Love Croissants, guests can enjoy the Texas-sized croissants with family and friends. With crisp layers on the outside and tender filling on the inside, a popular choice is the twice-baked Almond & Cardamom Croissant. It's rich and buttery like a classic almond croissant with a soft, almond cream inside. With a second location in The Heights coming soon, customers will have more chances to enjoy the savory and sweet croissants and puff pastry pies made with passion at Love Croissants.
Upper Kirby Bistro
Locally owned and operated by Terry Williams and Tony Council, Upper Kirby Bistro is a dining experience where guests can enjoy a full-service restaurant, catch live performances in the music venue, sip handcrafted cocktails and tequila, relax in an intimate wine room, or unwind in the luxurious cigar lounge. First-time visitors will love the Oxtail Empanadas, Fannie Mae Fried Chicken, and Lemon Tres Leches. Smoked to perfection, the restaurant's current seasonal dish is the Smoked Turkey Leg that combines savory, spiced dirty rice and collard greens with a fall-off-the-bone turkey. Diners love sipping on The Berry Lit Cocktail during dining and live music.
Zanti Cucina Italiana
Zanti Cucina Italiana was born from a lifelong dream to not only open an Italian restaurant but to create a welcoming space that brings food, people, and community together. Both locations in The Woodlands and River Oaks focus on authentic Italian hospitality, high-quality ingredients, and the belief that dining is an experience that connects guests, staff, purveyors, and the community. Handmade pastas, carefully sourced ingredients, and dishes that balance tradition with innovation delight new and repeat customers alike. Enjoy a full Italian meal - a Charcuterie Board, Neapolitan Pizza, Black Truffle Tagliolini, Braised Lamb Ossobuco, before finishing with the classic Tiramisu. Customers still love the Truffle & Cheese Ravioli, but try the Sea Salt Branzino, a hidden menu favorite among the staff.
Jonathan's The Rub
Guests love the open kitchens of Jonathan's The Rub's three locations, where they will be delighted by the kitchen's execution of Jonathan Levine's eclectic menu. A long-time favorite is the black and blue Filet Mignon, seasoned with the Rub's signature blend of spicy, salty, sweet, and savory spices, and paired with a crisp Sancerre. Jonathan encourages patrons to follow their hearts when choosing their meals. Those looking for a hidden gem on the menu will enjoy the Cioppino, a fisherman's stew unlike any other. This season, delicious peaches, strawberries, lettuce, and tomatoes flavor each dish to keep diners coming back for more.
Russo New York Pizzeria Italian Restaurant
5727 Westheimer, 77057
At Russo's, first-time guests are encouraged to start with the large Mulberry pizza, topped with fresh ground beef, sausage, pepperoni, Canadian bacon, house-made pizza sauce, and Wisconsin mozzarella cheese.
Regulars of the pizza hot-spot come back for several menu favorites, including lasagna, spaghetti with meatballs, fettuccine Alfredo, meat lover's pizza, pizza by the slice, and homemade bread. Russo's offers daily lunch specials starting at $10, weekday happy hour with small plates for $8, and free delivery. Truffle mushroom pasta with Romano cheese and arugula is one of the newest dishes on the menu and is already a crowd favorite. "We make our pasta, dough, and mozzarella fresh every day," says owner Anthony Russo.
Élan Events
Nikki Élan, founder and creative director of Élan Events, has 35 years of catering experience in Houston, including 14 Italian food locations. Over time, she has reduced restaurant locations and expanded into luxury event planning. Élan Events enables clients to enjoy complete event experiences that include full-scale, high-quality international cuisine and artistic lighting and décor. In homes, offices, and venues, Élan Events can recreate the elegance of fine dining and global culinary experiences with artfully presented selections, custom-designed décor, and professional service. Clients enjoy beef and chicken skewers in tomato sauce, truffle-infused mushroom risotto, or caviar with perfectly crafted beverage selections.
MaKiin
MaKiin invites guests on a journey through Thai flavors and traditions, no passport required. Owner, Lukkaew Srasrisuwan, encourages first-time diners to begin with the Appetizer Symphony, a shareable starter and tasty way to start the meal. From there, the Tom Yum soup, with lemongrass, kaffir lime, and roasted Thai chili pepper, is flavorful and fresh, while the Tom Kha galangal coconut soup is a non-spicy alternative.
Srasrisuwan suggests enjoying the meal family-style with jasmine and purple rice alongside slow-braised beef short ribs in Northern curry broth and golden turmeric deep sea snapper served with Thai mignonette. Tamarind-glazed Brussels sprouts and house-made coconut ice cream are delicious options to round out the experience.
Makiin's regulars come back for dishes including the Majestic Ocean Medley, a glass noodle dish with scallop, lobster, calamari, and shrimp, or the Curry Carnival appetizer served with roti and three distinct curries.
"I built MaKiin with my passion to showcase Thai culture through food and artifacts," says Srasrisuwan. This fall, the restaurant will introduce its first chef's tasting menu, timed with MaKiin's second anniversary.
Love Croissants
Owner Omar Pereney believes that croissants are the ultimate love language – indulgent, comforting, and luxurious. Made layer by layer with care and patience at Love Croissants, guests can enjoy the Texas-sized croissants with family and friends. With crisp layers on the outside and tender filling on the inside, a popular choice is the twice-baked Almond & Cardamom Croissant. It's rich and buttery like a classic almond croissant with a soft, almond cream inside. With a second location in The Heights coming soon, customers will have more chances to enjoy the savory and sweet croissants and puff pastry pies made with passion at Love Croissants.
Upper Kirby Bistro
Locally owned and operated by Terry Williams and Tony Council, Upper Kirby Bistro is a dining experience where guests can enjoy a full-service restaurant, catch live performances in the music venue, sip handcrafted cocktails and tequila, relax in an intimate wine room, or unwind in the luxurious cigar lounge. First-time visitors will love the Oxtail Empanadas, Fannie Mae Fried Chicken, and Lemon Tres Leches. Smoked to perfection, the restaurant's current seasonal dish is the Smoked Turkey Leg that combines savory, spiced dirty rice and collard greens with a fall-off-the-bone turkey. Diners love sipping on The Berry Lit Cocktail during dining and live music.
Zanti Cucina Italiana
Zanti Cucina Italiana was born from a lifelong dream to not only open an Italian restaurant but to create a welcoming space that brings food, people, and community together. Both locations in The Woodlands and River Oaks focus on authentic Italian hospitality, high-quality ingredients, and the belief that dining is an experience that connects guests, staff, purveyors, and the community. Handmade pastas, carefully sourced ingredients, and dishes that balance tradition with innovation delight new and repeat customers alike. Enjoy a full Italian meal - a Charcuterie Board, Neapolitan Pizza, Black Truffle Tagliolini, Braised Lamb Ossobuco, before finishing with the classic Tiramisu. Customers still love the Truffle & Cheese Ravioli, but try the Sea Salt Branzino, a hidden menu favorite among the staff.
Jonathan's The Rub
Guests love the open kitchens of Jonathan's The Rub's three locations, where they will be delighted by the kitchen's execution of Jonathan Levine's eclectic menu. A long-time favorite is the black and blue Filet Mignon, seasoned with the Rub's signature blend of spicy, salty, sweet, and savory spices, and paired with a crisp Sancerre. Jonathan encourages patrons to follow their hearts when choosing their meals. Those looking for a hidden gem on the menu will enjoy the Cioppino, a fisherman's stew unlike any other. This season, delicious peaches, strawberries, lettuce, and tomatoes flavor each dish to keep diners coming back for more.
Russo's New York Pizzeria Italian Restaurant
5727 Westheimer, 77057
At Russo's, first-time guests are encouraged to start with the large Mulberry pizza, topped with fresh ground beef, sausage, pepperoni, Canadian bacon, house-made pizza sauce, and Wisconsin mozzarella cheese.
Regulars of the pizza hot-spot come back for several menu favorites, including lasagna, spaghetti with meatballs, fettuccine Alfredo, meat lover's pizza, pizza by the slice, and homemade bread. Russo's offers daily lunch specials starting at $10, weekday happy hour with small plates for $8, and free delivery. Truffle mushroom pasta with Romano cheese and arugula is one of the newest dishes on the menu and is already a crowd favorite. "We make our pasta, dough, and mozzarella fresh every day," says owner Anthony Russo.
Élan Events
Nikki Élan, founder and creative director of Élan Events, has 35 years of catering experience in Houston, including 14 Italian food locations. Over time, she has reduced restaurant locations and expanded into luxury event planning. Élan Events enables clients to enjoy complete event experiences that include full-scale, high-quality international cuisine and artistic lighting and décor. In homes, offices, and venues, Élan Events can recreate the elegance of fine dining and global culinary experiences with artfully presented selections, custom-designed décor, and professional service. Clients enjoy beef and chicken skewers in tomato sauce, truffle-infused mushroom risotto, or caviar with perfectly crafted beverage selections.