Mai Pham

Pinkerton’s BBQ, a Michelin Bib Gourmand recipient, has opened a new location on Shepherd in the former 59 Diner space, making it even easier for those in Upper Kirby, Montrose, and River Oaks to enjoy craft Texas barbecue inside the loop.

Expect favorites like giant beef ribs, brisket with a pronounced bark, pulled pork, and pork ribs. Sides include okra and tomatoes, honey slaw, and beef tallow fries. We visited during the week and there was no wait, with ample on-site parking available.

Read the full review on @infatuation_houston for more details.

📍 Pinkerton’s BBQ @pinkertonsbbq
3801 Farnham St, Houston, TX 77098

#HoustonBBQ #PinkertonsBBQ #MontroseHouston #UpperKirbyHouston #texasbbq Less

Girl dinner, but make it glam. ✨

If you’re planning a girls’ night in Houston, bookmark The Kennedy. By day it’s polished and pretty, but by night it transforms into a moody lounge with velvet vibes, private booths, and one of the most stunning bars in the city.

The cocktails? Gorgeous. The menu? Built for sharing. Think Wagyu ribeye tacos, lobster bisque with grilled cheese, lobster spaghetti, and a crave-worthy Wagyu smashburger. This is the kind of spot where you order several things, split it with your best friends, and stay way longer than planned.

Perfect for a girls’ night out, birthday dinner, or elevated date night in Houston.

📍 The Kennedy
3210 W Dallas St, Houston, TX 77019

Tag your girl gang and make the reservation. 💋

Gifted by The Kennedy. Opinions are my own.

#ad #HoustonGirlsNight #GirlDinnerHouston #HoustonDateNight #MontroseHouston Less

✨𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝗵𝗶 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝗛𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀✨
If you’ve been watching Houston’s sushi scene, you already know the team behind Neo and Kira doesn’t play around. Their newest concept, Oru, is one of the buzziest new sushi restaurants in Houston right now.

Located in its own standalone brick and mortar in The Heights, this intimate 24-seat sushi bar is upscale and design-forward. Where Neo focuses on omakase and Kira is all about hand rolls, Oru feels like a polished sushi bar with izakaya-style small plates, plus the option for omakase if you want to go all in.

I ordered à la carte and started with a Tuna tartare over crispy rice, Wagyu lumpia, Chawanmushi, Mini donburi.

For sushi, we went from delicate white fish to uni from New England and mackerel (served as a mini-style handroll; solid choice).

Hot dishes included a flavorful miso Cornish hen with broth (a standout) and an okoje toasted rice porridge that didn’t do it for me (skip it).

Don’t skip dessert, though. The mini taiyaki set was easily a highlight.

Overall: a beautiful, museum-quality space with refined plating and tiny portions — so order accordingly. If you’re a fan of Neo or Kira, this one’s worth adding to your Houston sushi rotation.

📍 Oru
746 W 24th St, Houston, TX 77008

Save this for your next Heights dinner and let me know if you’re team omakase or ordering à la carte.

#HoustonSushi #HoustonRestaurants #TheHeightsHouston #HoustonFoodie #SushiLovers Less

𝑴𝒚 𝒇𝒂𝒗𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒎𝒂 𝒊𝒏 𝑯𝒐𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒏

When I’m craving shawarma in Houston, there’s only one place I go: Arpi’s Phoenicia Deli in Westchase. Open since the 1980s, this fast-casual Mediterranean gem has been serving some of the most consistent, flavorful shawarma in the city for decades—and it still hits every single time.

Order at the counter and grab a seat while they bring out your plate. I always get the chicken shawarma plate with two sides. This time: smoky muhammara and roasted cauliflower. Both are excellent, but let’s talk about that shawarma. Juicy, perfectly seasoned chicken wrapped in fresh pita, layered with potatoes, tomatoes, and their signature sauce. Pro tip: ask for extra garlic sauce on the side and add a little with every bite. Thank me later.

Arpi’s is one of my tried-and-true Houston staples. The food is fresh, the prices are reasonable ($7.99 for the shawarma, or $12.99 for the plate with 2 sides) and the consistency is unmatched. Arpi herself still stops in regularly, although I missed her during this visit.

Fun fact: I wrote about Arpi’s journey for the Houston Chronicle years ago—and the article is still framed on the wall near the restrooms. A full-circle moment every time I visit.

If you’re searching for the best shawarma in Houston or craving authentic Mediterranean food, this is your sign.

📍 Arpi’s Phoenicia Deli
12151 Westheimer Rd Suite P, Houston, TX 77077

Save this for later and tag your shawarma buddy 👇

#HoustonEats #HoustonRestaurants #ShawarmaHouston #MediterraneanFood #WestchaseHouston Less

Where to find the best Persian kebabs in Houston? Easy. This is my go-to.

Today I’m at Reza Persian Grill, hands down my favorite spot in the city when a serious kebab craving hits. I come here specifically for the beef koobideh—that perfectly seasoned ground beef kebab that never misses—but honestly, everything on the menu is solid. The chicken thigh kebab is another standout and always juicy.

You’re greeted with complimentary flatbread and salad, which is honestly a meal on its own, but don’t skip the starters. I love the hummus, Persian salad, and especially the kashke bademjan (hot eggplant dip). If you want to sample a little of everything, go for the combo plates or family platters, but I usually stick with beef koobideh solo or paired with another kebab.

Pro move: upgrade to the cranberry rice—sweet, tangy, it just makes everything taste better. Portions are generous and I always have leftovers. For drinks try the fresh mint tea, and for dessert don’t sleep on the house made saffron ice cream or baklava.

They’re open late, recently renovated, and it’s always packed, especially on weekends, so know before you go. Takeout is great too! Oh and of course it’s Halal.

📍 Reza Persian Grill
5714 Hillcroft Ave, Houston, TX 77036
📞 (832) 804-6160

👉 Save this post for later the next time you’re craving Persian kebabs in Houston.

#PersianFoodHouston #HoustonKebabs #RezaPersianGrill #HoustonEats #FemmeFoodie Less

*New Houston Happy Hour*

The Capital Grille CITYCENTRE has officially launched Capital Hours, a brand-new happy hour and their first since opening this location. It runs Monday through Friday, 3–6 PM, in the lounge, and it’s one of the strongest upscale happy hours in Houston right now.

Expect steakhouse happy hour specials priced just right: food from $8–$16, $10 cocktails, and $8 wine by the glass. We worked our way through most of the menu, and the must-orders are the petite filet sliders with melty cheese and caramelized onions ($13 for two), cast iron garlic shrimp ($12), Caesar salad bites on toasted brioche ($8), and the sliced dry-aged NY strip ($16). The bourbon smash is smooth, balanced, and dangerously easy to drink.

Service was led by Annabella Soto with food by Chef Partner Jeffrey Meyer, both longtime pros I’ve known for years, which makes this Houston steakhouse feel even more special.

If you’re looking for an elevated Houston steakhouse happy hour in the Memorial City / CityCentre area, this is a great option. Capital Hours is also available at other Capital Grille locations.

📍 The Capital Grille CITYCENTRE
840 W Sam Houston Pkwy N, Citycentre Way Four, Houston, TX 7702

Hosted visit, opinions are my own.

#HoustonHappyHour #HoustonSteakhouse #CityCentreHouston #MemorialCityEats HoustonFoodie Less

Starting a new Mom & Pop restaurant series, and today I’m in Rosenberg, Texas at Witt Pit BBQ, a locally owned barbecue spot. This husband-and-wife–owned BBQ joint is tucked into a small house with cute, classic barbecue decor. Even though the owners weren’t onsite during my visit, the staff was friendly and welcoming from the moment I walked in.

I stepped out back to chat with the pitmaster on duty, who recommended the brisket and pork ribs. Witt Pit BBQ keeps things traditional with a simple salt-and-pepper rub. The pork ribs were the standout: tender, fall-off-the-bone, with an excellent barbecue sauce. I ordered moist brisket, which was solid, though I’ve had juicier brisket elsewhere. That said, the brisket sandwich looked amazing and is already on my list for next time.

Overall, this is a solid Mom & Pop barbecue spot in Rosenberg, Texas. If you’re nearby and want to support local, it’s worth a visit.

📍 Witt Pit BBQ
2516 1st St, Rosenberg, TX 77471

Follow me @femme_foodie for food finds and locally owned restaurant recommendations.

#bbq #texasbbq #foodreview #bbqribs Less

Searching for vegetarian Vietnamese food in Houston? Save this spot. 🌱🇻🇳
Huong Sen Restaurant is one of the best places for authentic vegetarian Vietnamese cuisine in Houston, especially if you love traditional flavors. Located in Houston Chinatown on Bellaire Boulevard, this longtime favorite serves comforting, meat-free Vietnamese dishes that are deeply flavorful and incredibly satisfying.

Must-order at Huong Sen:
• Bì cuốn – fresh Vietnamese spring rolls packed with flavor
• Đậu rang muối – crispy salt-and-pepper tofu, a house favorite
• Cá kho tộ (vegetarian) – caramelized clay pot style dish
• Canh chua – classic Vietnamese sweet-and-sour soup
• Lemongrass ginger tea – lightly sweet snd fragrant

📍 Huong Sen Restaurant
12345 Bellaire Blvd B2, Houston, TX 77072

If you’re looking for vegan and vegetarian Vietnamese food in Houston, this is a must-visit. 🌿

#VegetarianVietnameseFood
#VietnameseFoodHouston
#HoustonChinatownEats
#VeganHouston
#HoustonFoodie Less

Hidden gem pizza in Memorial City / Hedwig Village 🍕

If you’re searching for great pizza in Houston, put Murray’s Pizza & Wine on your list. This new Memorial City pizza spot comes from the same owners as Leaf & Grain next door and focuses on high-hydration, long-fermented pizza dough made with Texas Barton Springs Mill flour.

We started with a classic Caesar, juicy meatballs, and burrata with focaccia (a must). For pizza, both were strong, but the standout was the Not-Hawaiian pizza with salami & pineapple infused hot honey. Dessert was pistachio gelato that tasted like Dubai chocolate pistachio in the best way.

Bonus: one of the best patios in Memorial City, plus a cozy interior and full bar with wine and cocktails. A solid go-to for Houston pizza, date night, or an easy neighborhood dinner.

📍 Murray’s Pizza & Wine
9655 Katy Fwy, Suite 3110
Houston, TX

#HoustonPizza #MemorialCityEats #HoustonFood Less

My favorite all-you-can-eat shabu shabu in Houston 🍲
I’ve been coming to Shabu Zone on Bellaire Blvd since they opened, and it’s still my tried-and-true hot pot spot.

You’ll find an excellent selection of fresh vegetables, premium meats, noodles, plus a banchan bar and samgyupsal Korean grilled pork belly. I love the selection of marbled akaushi beef which are thinly sliced, melt-in-your-mouth, and perfect for shabu shabu. They have a good selection of broths and the staff are quick to take new orders whenever you run out of meat.

Price-wise, it’s still a value:
$33.99 dinner & weekends
$23.99 midweek lunch per adult

If you love shabu shabu or all-you-can-eat hot pot in Houston, save this and go hungry.

📍Shabu Zone
11201 Bellaire Blvd Suite 2, Houston, TX 77072

👉 Follow me for more food finds in Houston and beyond!

#HoustonShabuShabu #HoustonHotPot #AllYouCanEatHouston #BellaireFood #HoustonFoodie Less