Cooler weather is finally upon us — but here are 10 hot places to keep you warm in November. Some are new restaurants entirely, while others are more seasoned, but all are well worth a visit.

The Bird and the Bear
The new Bird and the Bear touts itself as a casual partner to sister restaurant Ouisie’s Table. While you wouldn’t be able to tell that from the prices, the crowds don’t seem to mind.

Pretty people abound, snacking on salads, sipping on gumbo and poking at beautiful salmon dishes. If you go, be patient in your parking prowess — or fork over $3 for valet.

Pi Pizza Truck
If you’ve been tracking these guys on social media, you know how difficult their permit process has been. But the Pi Pizza Truck is finally up and running and open for business. The place offers huge slices of pizza pie in interesting combinations.

The crust is solid, though it could use more char, and the toppings are creative. Follow them on Twitter for a daily location.

Phoenicia
Yesssss! The second location of this fantastically awesome Mediterranean grocery and deli is set to open on Nov. 7.

In addition to the wonderful hummus, pitas and baklava, the new spot will have a larger array of take-away foods, perfect for the downtown clientele. Perhaps even more exciting, the new Phoenicia will serve breakfast starting at 7 a.m.

Down House
After a veritable roller coaster during its first few months of business, Down House has reached a happy place. They’ve brought aboard chef Benjy Mason, former sous chef at Feast, and launched a new fall menu offering a larger selection of small plates in addition to the mains.

Don’t worry — the outstanding coffee, beer and cocktail program is still very much in tact.

Philippe
Is this the month to indulge your inner Frenchie? Perhaps — especially now that Restaurant Philippe has new four- or six-course tasting meals starting Nov. 15.

On the menu? Salad with foie gras shavings and quail eggs, pumpkin ravioli, baked bay scallops with caviar, beef short ribs with chestnut gnocchi, ambrosia salad and a chocolate Crepe Suzette.

Melange Creperie on the Right Bank
Craving crepes? Great news — Houston’s favorite crepe cart has opened a second location!

If you haven’t stopped by for one of Buffalo Sean’s melty masterpieces, now you’ve got a second option, right in front of Stella Sola on Studewood in the Heights. Follow them on Twitter for a list of weekly specials.

Feast
Cooler, drier weather means it’s the perfect time for the comforting warmth of Feast. The place is fresh off an appearance on the Food Network’s Best Thing I Ever Ate and has a smashing new list of fall specials.

Feast has chosen to diversify its menu over the past few months, offering a few more mainstream dishes in addition to the acclaimed offal ones.

Pinewood Café
We were sad to see Little Big’s close up shop in Hermann Park, but all is right now that Pinewood Café has taken over the spot.

The place offers a nice range of sandwiches, salads, burgers and wraps — plus wine and craft beer — lunch and dinner, seven days a week. As nice as the weather’s been, you might want to try one of Pinewood's custom picnic baskets.

Plonk
It’s just a casual, neighborhoody wine bar and restaurant, but Plonk Bistro has been garnering a good deal of attention lately. Perhaps it’s the friendly service, neat location, or deliciously consistent food that has won our hearts.

Or maybe it’s just that insanely great burger. Whatever it is, stop by to check it out sometime soon.

Restaurants Rockin' the Pumpkin
Along with its sigh-a-rific weather, the harvest season also brings fantastic pumpkin dishes. Restaurants all over town have added some great ones, and we likey.

Our favorites include the pumpkin risotto from Giacomo’s, Saint Arnold Pumpkinator ice cream from the Eatsie Boys, pumpkin-seed crusted salmon at TQLA, and the pumpkin pie crepe from Melange Creperie.

Now tell us: Where can we find your pumpkin dream dishes?

Need more recs? Try our lists from previous months:

May – June – July – August – September – October