The Best Springtime Seafood Dishes and Where to Get Them
There are thousands of restaurants in Houston, more than 15,000 by some counts, and endless eateries offering seafood dishes on the menu. With our proximity to the Gulf Coast and its bounty as well as being a port and airplane hub, we have access to everything from Texas Gulf redfish to East coast oysters, and fresh yellowfin tuna from Tokyo. We have Cajun, Japanese, Mexican, French, and even Vietnamese inspired seafood dishes. You’d be hard pressed to pick a favorite but here are some ideas we think you’ll want to try this spring.
Eugene’s Gulf Coast Cuisine
The Dish: Market Fish of the Day
Known for their Oyster Bar and almost every conceivable version of oysters you can imagine, owner Kyle Teas (the seafood eatery is named for his father) says his favorite, right up there with those oysters, is the market fish of the day. The native Houstonian grew up eating fresh Gulf fish and prides himself on offering only the freshest fish from Gulf Coast favorites like red snapper, ling, mahi, and grouper, to seasonal catches like the ever-popular mudbugs and soft-shell crabs when in season. Do start of your meal at this charming River Oaks locale — it’s in the old Mockingbird Bistro spot — with an oyster shooter and wash it all down with a signature cocktail like maybe the potent Hurricane Claire.
1985 Welch St.
713.807.8883
eugeneshouston.com
Eunice
The Dish: Gumbo
Executive chef Drake Leonards has some absolutely delicious menu items at this swanky Upper Kirby spot which has a lovely glassed-in patio overlooking the verdant campus at the comer of Richmond Ave. and Buffalo Speedway. Some aren’t seafood, like the fabulous Cajun duck poppers wrapped in double-smoked bacon stuffed with jalapenos and cream cheese, or the buttermilk fried chicken on the Power Lunch on Mondays, but Leonards’ Cajun roots shine with the raw bar offerings. Everything from Gulf and farmed oysters to a seafood platter with oysters, Royal Red shrimp, Peruvian scallops, and smoked fish dips. But for the money, the best dish here is his chicken and sausage gumbo. A dark roux with spicy tasso (a Cajun ham), okra, and popcorn rice. Go for the big bowl and pair it with the cast iron cornbread topped with Steen’s cane syrup and salted butter.
3737 Buffalo Speedway
832.491.1717
eunicerestaurant.com
La Jardinier
The Dish: Salmon and asparagus with saffron Hollandaise
If you’re craving a taste of French fine dining, the place to go is the Michelin-starred Le Jardinier at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. As you can imagine, this restaurant is a beautiful work of art itself, and one entire side is glass overlooking the patio and tree-lined street. Executive Chef Felipe Botero just released his spring menu highlighting the vibrant flavors of the season and showcasing a section Flavors of French Tradition, a thoughtful homage to the restaurant’s culinary roots. Blending classic technique with peak seasonal ingredients, the menu reflects Le Jardinier’s continued commitment to refined, garden-driven cuisine. A favorite in this limited-time menu is the King Salmon with French white asparagus, the milder, sweeter cousin of green asparagus. Pair it with a Pimm’s Cup cocktail, a glass of gin, lemon, cucumber, and ginger beer.
5500 Main St., Suite 122
713.714.3015
lejardinier-houston.com
Nara Sushi
The Dish: Sushi
For those who miss the old Sushi King in the Kirby-Richmond Plaza, check out Nara Sushi, home of endless Japanese dining which has now claimed that spot. Yes, they offer all-you-can-eat sushi, but how much raw fish can you eat in one setting? Try the à la carte items including the Bento boxes to get a sampling of everything from tempura and teriyaki entrees to pork katsu along with white rice, a California roll, shumai, and soup or house salad. Salmon nigiri is fresh and tasty and some of the specialty rolls are eye-opening like the broiled eel roll. The space has really been updated beautifully since its Sushi King days and staff are very attentive.
3401 Kirby Dr.
713.814.8831
narasushihouston.com
Ragin’ Cajun
The Dish:
Back in America, it’s downhome Cajun at the longstanding Ragin’ Cajun, easy to spot because of the giant mudbug on the roof. And while during the springtime crawfish season you’ll certainly crave a bucket of bugs, or two, with a cold brew, do treat yourself at least once to the snow crab boil. It’s one pound of fresh snow crab clusters boiled in the Cajun boil they use for the crawfish, a rich and spicy brew. Of course that comes with one potato, one corn ear, and plenty of lemon garlic butter sauce. If you think you can eat all that, try a side of dirty rice with it all. There’s a reason the Mandola family has been feeding Cajun fare to Houston for more than half a century.
4302 Richmond Ave.
713.623.6321
ragin-cajun.com
