Pat’s Pick
September 11, 2023
The Moulin Rouge Meets Cowtown
Prolific Fort Worth restaurateur Felipe Armenta and celebrity chef Graham Elliot have opened Le Margot, a French restaurant as exuberant as they are.
Pat’s Pick
Patricia Sharpe’s restaurant column on the places and people who shape Texas’s dining scene
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Pat’s Pick
July 11, 2023
Ember Kitchen Lights Up Austin’s Seaholm Power Plant
A fancy Spanish-made stove fuels an inspired menu of steaks and seafood, along with some glorious masa dishes.
Pat’s Pick
June 12, 2023
Leche de Tigre Is “Cooking” Up Serious Ceviche in San Antonio
Brothers Emil, Axel, and Alec Oliva have opened one of the Alamo City’s most compelling new restaurants.
Pat’s Pick
May 11, 2023
61 Osteria Is a Restaurant for Grown-ups
Elegance is on the menu at this Italian venture from Blaine Staniford and Adam Jones—as is a ricotta-filled, beurre blanc–lavished “serpent.”
Pat’s Pick
April 4, 2023
The Best Little Steakhouse in Texas Turns Forty
Tom and Lisa Perini have won awards, traveled the world, and cooked for heads of state. But nothing means more than the old hay barn where it all began.
Pat’s Pick
March 9, 2023
Chef David Cordúa Keeps the Home Fires Burning
At the Lymbar, legendary Houston restaurateurs David and Michael Cordúa serve Truffle Twinkies and potato “bouquets” alongside the churrasco and empanadas that made the family famous.
Pat’s Pick
December 13, 2022
Revolver Taco Lounge Gastro Cantina Hits the Bull’s-eye
The latest from Regino Rojas is fun and festive, but the food’s not fooling around.
Pat’s Pick
November 15, 2022
Houston’s First Nikkei Restaurant Is a Work of Art
Vibrant, jewel-toned murals set the scene for masterful Japanese-Peruvian cuisine at Masaru Fukuda’s Pacha Nikkei.
Pat’s Pick
October 7, 2022
Christopher Cullum’s Attaboy Is More Paris Bistro Than San Antonio Diner
Don’t let the chef’s soda-jerk hat fool you. Herein you’ll find royal osetra caviar, escargots in butter-filled shells, and a modern-day version of Spudnuts.
Pat’s Pick
September 13, 2022
Olamaie’s Rowdy Southern Cousin Settles In on South Congress
Austin’s famously touristy avenue welcomes a new steakhouse with a celebratory spirit.
Pat’s Pick
August 16, 2022
The King of Cabrito Sets Up Shop in Cowtown
If you were charmed by Juan Ramón Cárdenas in ‘The Taco Chronicles,’ you’ll want to make your way to Don Artemio.
Pat’s Pick
July 12, 2022
Hamsa Is About as Close as You’ll Get to Eating in Tel Aviv
Named for the ancient symbol used to ward off danger, the Houston restaurant fuses traditional and modern Israeli cuisine to miraculous effect.
Pat’s Pick
June 16, 2022
Star Chef Mashama Bailey Alights in Austin
And the two-time James Beard Award winner has brought the same dynamic Southern fare that made the Grey, in Savannah, a destination restaurant.
Pat’s Pick
May 9, 2022
The Mexican Aims to “Bring the Best of Mexico to Dallas”
With 15,000 square feet, three private dining rooms, and one tequila sommelier, this Dallas restaurant is as lavish as it gets.
Pat’s Pick
April 13, 2022
From Church Cookbooks to Houston’s Culinary Scene
“We are just scratching the surface of what we can learn about Texas food,” says Wild Oats chef Nick Fine.
Pat’s Pick
March 15, 2022
Coleman’s Black Cur Steak Is a Doggone Success
The enterprising duo behind Black Cur honors their late dog with truly sublime dishes.
Pat’s Pick
January 18, 2022
Are You Ready for Fine-Casual Dining?
Austin restaurant Birdie’s has perfected the art of serving $32 steaks to patrons who wait in line to order.
Pat’s Pick
December 14, 2021
At ‘Top Chef’ Contestant Tiffany Derry’s New Restaurant, Southern Cooking Goes Global
The menu at Roots Southern Table in Farmers Branch offers gumbo, fried chicken, and riffs on Italian rice balls and West African street food.
Pat’s Pick
November 16, 2021
Superstar Chef Hugo Ortega’s New Restaurant Is His Most Personal Venture Yet
At his latest restaurant, Texas’s most celebrated Mexican chef teams up with close relations to revisit the street food of his youth.
Pat’s Pick
October 19, 2021
San Antonio’s Lauded Mixtli Offers Even More to Love in Its New Home
This exceptional Mexican restaurant has expanded into a larger space without shrinking any of its ambitions.
Pat’s Pick
September 14, 2021
Le Jardinier Is the Best Museum Restaurant in Texas—and One of the Best in the U.S.
Rarely does a museum’s restaurant rival its galleries, but this addition to Houston’s Museum of Fine Arts is poised to take its place among the masters.
Pat’s Pick
August 17, 2021
Dallas Chef Junior Borges Comes Full Circle With Meridian, a Celebration of His Native Brazil
And he got there with help from family, some encouragement from Anthony Bourdain, and a fortuitous ride on the New York subway.
Pat’s Pick
July 13, 2021
Good Things Come to Those Who Wait for a Reservation at Lutie’s
With a lush setting and a vegetable-forward menu, the showcase restaurant of the Commodore Perry Estate, Texas’s only Auberge Resort, has Austinites crashing the garden gates.
Pat’s Pick
June 22, 2021
Houston’s El Topo Is Not Your Everyday Taqueria
Crispy beef tacos or duck leg confit? The menu at Tony Luhrman’s taqueria is full of surprises.
Pat’s Pick
November 6, 2020
Party of None: What I Miss About Restaurants
After her four decades of dining across Texas came to a halt in the pandemic, Pat Sharpe realizes that what makes a meal special goes way beyond the food.
Pat’s Pick
March 18, 2020
Playing With Fire at Chef Kevin Fink’s Hestia
From the team behind Emmer & Rye, this new Austin restaurant is a work of hearth.
Pat’s Pick
February 17, 2020
Kindling Texas Kitchen Brings Big-City Flavors to Cibolo
Set in a beguiling bungalow, this meat-centric restaurant makes you feel right at home.
Pat’s Pick
January 22, 2020
Nixta Takes Tacos to the Next Level
After working at such restaurants as Pujol, in Mexico City, chef Edgar Rico brings his masa talents to East Austin.
Pat’s Pick
December 18, 2019
At the New Salaryman, Ramen and Yakitori More Than Get the Job Done
After years of successful pop-ups in Dallas, chef Justin Holt opens a spot that’s an homage to these two Japanese dishes.
Pat’s Pick
November 20, 2019
MAD in Houston Shoots for the Moon with Both Cuisine and Decor
Almost nothing is as it seems at the new Spanish restaurant from the team behind BCN Taste & Tradition.
Pat’s Pick
October 16, 2019
Salomé on Main Brings Elevated Mexican Cuisine to McAllen
A revelatory trip four years ago inspired chef Larry Delgado to go back to his roots.
Pat’s Pick
September 18, 2019
Fort Worth’s Gemelle Showcases Love, Italian Style!
Tim Love’s new restaurant takes a break (sort of) from Western cuisine.
Pat’s Pick
August 19, 2019
Houston Dream Team Justin Yu and Bobby Heugel Score Again with Squable
Another weird name, another wonderful and inventive menu.
Pat’s Pick
July 22, 2019
Matt McCallister Comes Back Strong With Homewood in Dallas
The celebrated chef behind FT33 returns with a restaurant that is less about flash and more about flavor.
Pat’s Pick
July 12, 2019
First Look: Vixen’s Wedding, Which is Unlike Any Restaurant in Austin
Chefs Todd Duplechan and Jessica Maher bring their Texas interpretation of Goan cuisine to the new Arrive East Austin Hotel.
Pat’s Pick
June 20, 2019
The Best of Our Favorite New Texas Restaurants
We've compiled our favorites from the past three years into one handy article.
Pat’s Pick
May 29, 2019
Austin’s Comedor Serves Up Visionary Mexican Cuisine
Chefs Philip Speer, Gabe Erales, and Alan Delgado honor their border roots with a decidedly modern menu at Comedor in Downtown Austin.
Pat’s Pick
April 24, 2019
Pat’s Pick: Everything Translates at Mastrantos in Houston
The risk-taking, globally inspired menu is short, sweet, and a lot of fun.
Pat’s Pick
March 22, 2019
Pat’s Pick: Emma + Ollie, in Fredericksburg, Brings Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice
At her newest restaurant, Rebecca Rather turns daytime meals into something special.
Pat’s Pick
February 20, 2019
Pat’s Pick: San Antonio’s Savor Passes Every Test
Staffed by students at the Culinary Institute of America, this new restaurant impresses our critic—even on opening night.
Pat’s Pick
January 3, 2019
French Classic Saint-Emilion Returns to Its Roots
Founded in 1985, this Fort Worth institution goes back to perfecting the bistro basics. Mais oui.
Pat’s Pick
November 19, 2018
Ford Fry Doubles Down in Houston With La Lucha and Superica
With his two new restaurants, both in the same building, the acclaimed Atlanta chef continues what he started with State of Grace.
Pat’s Pick
October 19, 2018
Culinary Risks Pay Off at Rosewood in East Austin
Chef Jesse DeLeon has created a decidedly modern menu in an 1890 Victorian house.
Pat’s Pick
September 21, 2018
Chris Shepherd’s UB Preserv Is One of Houston’s Best New Restaurants
The celebrated chef revives the spirit of his now-closed Underbelly while creating something new and beguiling.
Pat’s Pick
August 24, 2018
Macellaio in Dallas Puts a Texas Accent on Mediterranean Classics
Italian sausages and charcuterie are the meat of the matter at the new restaurant from the owners of Lucia.
Pat’s Pick
July 27, 2018
Go Around the World at Poitín in Houston
Cultural influences come together in delicious harmony at this exciting global restaurant.
Pat’s Pick
June 15, 2018
In Dallas, Perfect Union and Fachini Perform the Italian Two-Step
A couple of well-known local chefs open dual concepts at the same location.
Pat’s Pick
May 21, 2018
Austin’s Suerte Has Masa Appeal
The traditional corn dough forms the basis of a culinary adventure at this new Mexican restaurant.
Pat’s Pick
April 16, 2018
Their Darling Clementine: A Bright New Spot in San Antonio
With a Southern-inspired menu, John and Elise Russ draw diners from all over the city to their neighborhood eatery.
Pat’s Pick
March 21, 2018
The Texas Debut of Chef José Andrés Is a Winner
One of the most renowned names in food scores big with Zaytinya, at the home of the Dallas Cowboys in Frisco.