Where to brunch now

Where to eat in Houston now: 10 new brunches dishing up fall flavors

Mayahuel's brunch features dishes such as made-to-order chilaquiles verde, and in-house baked pastries.

Photo by Brian Kennedy

Whether diners are partial to the breakfast or the lunch part of brunch, Houston restaurants are serving up fresh reasons to love the midmorning meal. From tres leches French toast to an all-you-can-eat sushi buffet, these 10 spots are dishing up new options — and maybe someone's next favorite bite.

Balboa Surf Club
Located near the Galleria, Balboa’s version of brunch is known as weekend lunch. Breakfast bites feature first on the weekend-only menu, with Huevos Rancheros atop house-made tostadas ($16), donut holes with a miso caramel sauce ($10), and a French omelette laden with soft cheeses and herbs ($17). Sip on the Breakfast Martini ($17), a boozy concoction of Sapphire gin and Grand Marnier mixed with orange marmalade. Weekend lunch is served on Saturday and Sunday from 11 am-3 pm.

Camaraderie
Chef Shawn Gawle’s brunch menu runs the gamut, ranging from affordable classics such as a mushroom and leek quiche ($17), a cinnamon bun ($5), and a yogurt parfait with tarragon ($14), to more decadent dishes like the lobster omelette with Boursin ($32). For a truly upscale option, order the Eggs and Eggs, a shareable plate featuring caviar, soft scrambled eggs, and mini English muffins ($70). Brunch is available on Sundays from 11 am-3 pm.

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Courtesy of Saint Arnold Brewing Company

Find brunch dishes that pair well with beer at Saint Arnold.

Juanita’s Mexican Kitchen
This family-owned establishment is using its Sabores Nuevos menu as a test kitchen of sorts, to see which brunch dishes diners love the most. Visit either its Tomball or Cypress locations to sample limited-time plates, such as tres leches French toast ($12) or the breakfast sopes ($16), layered with refried beans, chorizo, and crispy potatoes, and served alongside two eggs. Brunch at Juanita’s is weekends from 10 am-2 pm.

Latuli
Already a neighborhood favorite, this upscale Memorial restaurant is expanding its hours with the addition of Saturday and Sunday brunch. Diners can find dishes like Eggs in Hell, a combination of chorizo and baked eggs with a carrot-arbol salsa ($24), filet and frites ($51), and Truffled Toad in a Hole ($18), featuring eggs nestled inside truffled brioche. TVs in the bar, patio, and back room make it easy to catch the game while dining. Brunch runs from 11 am-3 pm on weekends.

Little’s Oyster Bar
At Little’s, executive chef Jason Ryczek shows that the charming spot is more than just an oyster bar. The recently-introduced brunch offerings include a smoked salmon Benedict ($36) that layers poached eggs, horseradish, and hollandaise on thick slices of bread. The grilled filet of beef ($59) is served with a luscious black garlic tare and a sunny-side-up egg, while the French toast ($29) with candied bacon manages to be both elevated and comforting. Little’s brunch is served every Sunday from 11 am-3 pm.

Mayahuel
At this modern Mexican restaurant in Autry Park, diners will find highlights, including made-to-order chilaquiles verde with house-made tortillas, Mexico City–style eggs Benedict with salsa roja hollandaise, and shakshuka with seasonal vegetables and labneh (all $18 each). Don’t skip the in-house pastries, from croissants to conchas, baked fresh each morning. Pair plates with mimosas, spritzes, or tequila cocktails. Spirit-free drinks include the traditional cafe de olla ($4.50) — drip coffee with cinnamon and piloncillo— and a hot chocolate ($6.50) made with 100-percent Mexican craft chocolate. Brunch is served Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am-3 pm.

Nobu
After a late Saturday night, nothing is quite as enticing as an all-you-can-eat brunch buffet. For $75, diners can graze from a wide spread that includes sushi rolls, bao, salads, pastries, and rotating carving stations with Japanese short rib, brisket, prime rib, and char siu pork tenderloin. Brunch exclusive cocktails include a lychee mimosa. The buffet-only brunch is Sundays from 11 am-2:30 pm.

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Saint Arnold Brewing Company
Houston’s oldest craft brewery has added brunch to its beer garden lineup. Families and friends can take advantage of Saint Arnold’s airy space while enjoying creamy crawfish and grits ($22) and the hummus and avocado platter ($15) served with toasted everything bagel wedges and toppings. Each plate comes with a suggested beer pairing, while mimosas, ciders, and coffee round out the drink list. Brunch is Saturday and Sunday from 10am-2pm.

Whiskey Cake
Start the day off strong with Whiskey Cake’s new cocktail towers. Ideal for three to four individuals, choose from three different cocktails on draft, such as the Aperol Brunch Punch, featuring orange, grapefruit, soda, and sparkling wine ($36). Stay satiated with plates like the B.L.T. toast ($15), with candied bacon, marinated tomato, and smashed avocado. Feeling only a bit snackish? The Bloody Mary deviled eggs ($9) combine the flavors of the cocktail and a beloved dish with pickled green tomato relish.

Zanti Cucina Italiana
The River Oaks location of the lively Italian restaurant spices up its weekend brunch with monthly themed parties. August featured a tribute to Mamma Mia!, while September 20 will bring a Grease-inspired celebration complete with spiked milkshakes, a best-dressed couples contest, and a live DJ. Regular menu favorites include crab cake Benedict ($29), pork Milanese ($44), and a smoked salmon omelette ($22). Brunch is served weekends from 11 am-3 pm.

news-you-can-eat brunch

water, water everywhere

The quest for a Topo Chico replacement — we rate 9 sparkling waters

Photo by Eric Sandler

We purchased sparkling water at five stores across the inner loop.

Topo Chico drinkers nationwide are in a bit of a tizzy. Coca-Cola, which acquired the cult-favorite sparkling mineral water in 2017, announced that the product will be unavailable for at least the next few months.

CNN reports the shortage is due to “facility upgrades at the water source and production facilities in Mexico.”

“We are now making further investments at the source to improve source stability and quality and enable increased production, requiring us to temporarily stop production,” Coca-Cola said in a letter to CNN.

For Topo Chico fans, the shortage brings an obvious question. What should a person drink until the supply is restored? Or, what’s a permanent replacement that will avoid this issue altogether?

After collecting suggestions from people via Instagram, I went to Spec’s and inner loop grocery stores to purchase nine varieties of sparkling water with one goal in mind — find something that’s similar enough to Topo Chico that it will earn a spot in my refrigerator.

In the interests of science, I only included sparkling water brands that are similar in size (approximately 12-ounce bottles) and price (between $1 and $1.50 per bottle). Whenever possible, I purchased glass bottles instead of cans or plastic. Although many are available in flavors, I only purchased unflavored waters. All waters were chilled overnight in a refrigerator prior to tasting.

Sparkling water taste test Each water was chilled overnight prior to tasting.Photo by Eric Sandler

Not surprisingly, my top three choices came down to two other Mexican sparkling waters and a convincing dupe from H-E-B.

Most Similar to Topo Chico

Agua de Piedra
Purchased from Spec’s (can also be found at La Michocana), this water from Nuevo Leon, Mexico can be found at several restaurants and coffee shops around town. It offers both strong carbonation and just enough saltiness to satisfy a Topo craving. As long as I can source it reliably, this will be my new house water.

Mineragua
Available at both Whole Foods Market and H-E-B, this water from Jarritos is almost as carbonated as Topo Chico. Its flavor profile is salty with a slight, citrus-style acidity. I prefer the flavor of Agua de Piedra, but others may like this more.

1877 Mineral Water by H-E-B
H-E-B’s house brand sparkling mineral water is sourced from Texas, in Mineral Wells. It has carbonation that persists from opening until finishing. Its slightly salty flavor will be welcomed by Topo Chico drinkers. Overall, it’s probably the best choice for more people, since it’s so readily available.

Less Like Topo, but Still Tasty

Rambler Sparkling Water
This mineral water from Austin is available everywhere, including many restaurants and bars. Since it's only available in cans, its more mild carbonation doesn’t match Topo Chico’s; however, it has a lightly salty taste that makes it very refreshing. This is a good option for those who find Topo to be too fizzy.

Tehuacan
Purchased at Central Market, this water is sourced from springs within Citlaltépetl, Mexico’s highest mountain. The mountain’s volcanic rock gives the water a noticeable saltiness with a slightly sour taste. Although it wasn’t quite to my taste, its strong carbonation and distinct flavor could appeal to other Topo devotees.

Private Selection Sparkling Mineral Water
Available at Kroger, this water is neither as carbonated nor as salty as Topo Chico. Still, it has enough fizz and minerality to do in a pinch, particularly for people who prefer shopping at Kroger over other grocery stores.

Your Mileage May Vary

Richard’s Sparkling Rainwater
Admittedly, a non-mineral water was unlikely to emerge as a favorite in this taste test. Since it’s made with filtered rainwater, Richard’s has a very clean taste and a mild level of carbonation.

Saratoga Carbonated Spring Water
Like Richard’s, this water is too lightly carbonated and too mildly flavored to satisfy a Topo craving. Still, it’s clean and refreshing, which could appeal to non-Topo drinkers.

I’ve Had Better

Liquid Death Mountain Water (Sparkling)
Bland and flat-tasting, this water was the only one I wouldn’t purchase again. Maybe the flavored versions are better.

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