Get your 'gram on

Feast your eyes on 7 of Houston's most Instagramable restaurant dishes

Time to round up the prettiest, most Instagramable dishes in the city to keep everyone's social media game on point. These seven plates are guaranteed to garner comments like "that looks good" and sarcastic "thanks for the invite."

Ignore those haters and get those camera phones ready. Here’s where to go to do it for the ‘gram.

Crispy Prawn Dumpling at Yauatcha

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Aug 15, 2017 at 8:37am PDT

Let the swooning begin. Impress all fellow Instagrammers by visiting Yauachta, the London-based Cantonese dim sum restaurant and teahouse, and ordering the crispy prawn dumpling with plum sauce. This dish’s delicious combination of sweet and crunchy flavors and beautiful appearance steals the show. Step in a bit closer to capture this delicate dumpling in all of it’s glory.
5045 Westheimer; 713-357-7588

Jumbo Lump Crab Meat and Avocado Salad at Star Fish

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May 1, 2017 at 6:59pm PDT

Capturing a showstopper photo won’t be an issue at this new Heights restaurant with its white, nautical and fresh decor. Boasting a beautiful raw seafood bar, anyone could stop right there to get an Insta-worthy post. But, have a seat and feast your eyes on the Jumbo Lump Crab Meat with Avocado and any food 'gram will instantly be elevated.
191 Heights; 832-831-9820

Cremoso de Chocolate at Xochi

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Apr 9, 2017 at 2:38pm PDT

When anyone’s Instagram is in need of a little luxury, look no further than Xochi, James Beard Award-winner Hugo Ortega’s stunning Oaxacan restaurant in downtown’s Marriott Marquis hotel. Imagine a billowy chocolate sponge cake enveloped in a mousse and accompanied by a blossoming branch made of solid chocolate. Strawberries are the perfect addition to top off this delight of a dessert. Created by Ortega’s brother Ruben from chocolate that’s roasted in house, the cremoso de chocolate is a unique and delicious must have on anyone’s food gram.
1777 Walker; 713-400-3330

Sticky Bun Breakfast Burger at Bosscat Kitchen & Libations

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May 28, 2017 at 7:45pm PDT

Looking for that perfect picture that combines sweet and savory? Bosscat's creation of burger-meets-breakfast is just as pretty as it is yummy. It’s made with Canadian bacon, a duck fat fried egg and gruyere cheese. This drool-worthy restaurant sports glass garage doors so make sure to snap a pic with the impeccable natural light.
4310 Westheimer; 281-501-1187

Smoked Turkey BLT at Beaver’s Westheimer
As a chef with 11,000 followers of his own, Arash Kharat understands how to create Instagram-worthy dishes. Accompanied with their hand-cut fries, Beaver’s smoked turkey BLT is scrumptious and a compliment to anyone’s gram. There is no shortage of photo-worthy dining spaces as well as beautiful food combinations that makes this a must have on an Insta-feed.
6025 Westheimer; 713-714-4111

Chicken & Waffle at Krisp Bird & Batter

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Jul 6, 2017 at 11:08am PDT

The casual vibe and delicious chicken sandwiches have already made Krisp an instant local favorite. Served on butcher paper, the restaurant's spin on the chicken and waffle includes a waffle bun, Crystal hot sauce, yummy maple syrup, and cider slaw. This could possibly be the most coveted sandwich for any summer Instagram feed. Throw a favorite drink in the picture, and it’s Insta-gold.
5922 Richmond; 713-239-0320

Loaded Milkshakes at FM Kitchen and Bar

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Jun 16, 2017 at 11:53am PDT

Go ahead. Indulge. You're bound to slow your scroll when you come across this beauty. These loaded milkshakes in vanilla, chocolate, or strawberry are piled with ice cream and topped with frothy whipped cream. Although this hotspot has photo-worthy backdrop options at every turn, this magical milkshake makes makes such a grand appearance that it looks great everywhere.
1112 Shepherd; 832-804-6006

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Madison Payne is a Houston-based blogger with a passion for discovering new experiences. Follow her adventures on Instagram.

The cremoso de chocolate at Xochi is a unique and delicious must have on anyone’s food gram.

Houston, Xochi, Cremoso de Chocolate, August 2017

Photo by Paula Murphy

The cremoso de chocolate at Xochi is a unique and delicious must have on anyone’s food gram.

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say hey to Hypsi

Houston chef's hip new Italian restaurant now open in Heights hotel

Photo by Julie Soefer

Hypsi serves pasta and other Itaian-inspired dishes.

A new Italian restaurant is now open in the Heights. Located within the newly opened Hotel Daphne, Hypsi marks chef Terrence Gallivan’s return to professional cooking in Houston.

Known for his time as the co-execuive chef of The Pass and Provisions and owner of ElRo Pizza and Crudo, Gallivan brings strong culinary credentials to Hypsi. Although he isn’t known explicitly for Italian fare, he has significant experience making pizza, pasts, and other Italian-inspired dishes. After closing ElRo last year, the chef says that working for Bunkhouse Hotels, the Austin-based company that operates the Daphne, had a lot of appeal.

“My wife and I always made it a point to stop at their places whenever we’re in Austin. They know how to make cool stuff,” Gallivan says.

Hypsi’s menu includes updated takes on Italian fare begins with starters such as lamb meatballs, black truffle arancini, and Caesar salad. A selection of house-made pastas include squid ink radiatori with rock shrimp, butternut squash tortellini, and lumache with vodka sauce that gets a little heat from nduja. Entree choices include a roast chicken, pork Milanese, and roasted snapper with salsa verde.

The restaurant is also open for breakfast during the week and brunch on the weekends with items such as a panatone waffle, frittata, and breakfast sandwich. Lunch will follow in January.

“We took inspiration from tradition without being traditional,” Gallivan says. Later, he adds, “For me, it’s about balance. You try to please everybody. I want my mom to enjoy herself as much as a 25-year-old foodie. It’s important to hit as many marks as you can.”

One of the restaurant’s signatures will be the mozzarella cart that rolls through its dining room. Gallivan says he’s sourcing a mix of both American and imported Italian cheeses that will rotate every week or two. The cheese is served with a range of pickled fruit and vegetables, olive oil, aged balsamic vinegar, focaccia, and more. Of course, seeing a cart immediately grabs diners’ attention, making them want whatever is on offer.

“That’s the beauty of carts,” Gallivan says. “It’s a fun thing to do. I think sometimes we get a little too serious in restaurants. It’s supposed to be fun. People are here to enjoy themselves.”

All that eating and drinking takes place in a dining room that’s inspired by Prohibition-era speakeasies, according to press materials. Details include blueberry lava stone on the bar, vintage velvet chairs, and custom Carimate dining chairs by Vico Magistretti. An outdoor patio features brick pavers, mosaic tables, and sculptures.

Photo by Julie Soefer

Hypsi serves pasta and other Itaian-inspired dishes.

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say hey to Hypsi

Houston chef's hip new Italian restaurant now open in Heights hotel