Chef Berty Richter$$$ a la carteBook Book ahead, closed Monday ahead
Ladino is chef Berty Richter's Eastern Mediterranean room at the Pearl, built for family-style sharing across mezze, hummus and a wood-fired grill section.
Tip: Go family-style across the mezze with the grill section as the anchor. The hummus and the lamb are reliable openers.
Chef Jennifer Dobbertin$$$ a la carteBook Book ahead, closed Monday ahead
Best Quality Daughter is chef Jennifer Dobbertin's New Asian American restaurant in a funky converted Mueller House at the Pearl, with cheeky cocktails.
Tip: The funky Mueller House interior and the patio are both worth requesting. Ask for the seasonal cocktail special.
Chef Stefan Bowers$$$ a la carteBook Book ahead ahead
Battalion is chef Stefan Bowers's Italian restaurant in a restored Southtown firehouse on South Alamo, leading with house pastas and a solid Italian list.
Tip: The converted firehouse is part of the appeal. Lead with the pastas and a bottle from the Italian list.
Chef Jeff Balfour$$$ a la carteBook Book on OpenTable ahead
Chef Jeff Balfour's Southerleigh brews 15 beers in-house at the Pearl Brewery and pairs them with Texas coastal cooking, a Michelin Bib Gourmand room.
Tip: Sit near the brew tanks and pair the fried chicken with the house pilsner. The Gulf snapper is the seafood pick.
$$$ a la carteBook Book on OpenTable ahead
Cappy's is a long-running Alamo Heights restaurant on Broadway, an oak-shaded patio room whose pecan-crusted chicken is the enduring signature dish.
Tip: Ask for a patio table under the oaks. The pecan-crusted chicken is the long-running signature.
$$$ a la carteBook Book on Resy ahead
Little Em's Oyster Bar brings a proper raw bar to Southtown, with Gulf and East Coast oysters, a seafood tower, and Louisiana-leaning plates.
Tip: Happy hour is the value play for oysters. The gumbo and the seafood tower are the kitchen's standouts.