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September 17, 2018
Where you can have it all, provided you're willing to sit in traffic to get there.
ChefRyan Pera
Houston
About Ryan Pera
Ryan Pera is known for his thoughtful approach to cooking and his strong dedication to sustainable practices. The chef and co-owner of three celebrated concepts in Houston's Heights neighborhood--Revival Market, Coltivare and Eight Row Flint--has built businesses allowing him to source products from within, whether it's vegetables grown in Coltivare's 3,000-square-foot garden or charcuterie cured in-house at Revival Market.
My Venues
Accolades
- Five Best New Artisanal ButchersBon Appétit
- Nominee for Best Chef in HoustonMy Table magazine
- WinnerGo Pig or Go Home Contest
- Farm to Table RestaurantsNational Geographic
- ChefsFeed WinnerOne of the Best Things to Eat in Houston
- Best Chef: Southwest Nominee, 2018James Beard Foundation
Featured Content
Where I Go Out
Mussels “rabelais”
$$$$, Café, French, Reservations, University Place
"This is a classic preparation that brings back wonderful memories of my time spent cooking in France. I so appreciate that we have a true French bistro in Houston, complete with its chalkboard daily specials and a great list of French wines."
Zucca pizza
$$, Outdoor Seating, Pizza, Wine Bar, Full Bar, Italian, Montrose
"This butternut squash, red onion, and pancetta pizza is available all year long, although I tend to order it in the fall when squash is in season. It hits all the right notes on Dolce’s perfectly cooked crust that comes out of their Neapolitan pizza oven."
Gỏi vịt
$$, Asian, Vietnamese, Central Business
"This salad is a perfect mix of shredded duck, cabbage, and fresh herbs tossed with their housemade ginger sauce. It's a balanced blend of salty, sour, and sweet. It's one of my favorite go-to’s."
Veulva a la vida
$$, Happy Hour, Outdoor Seating, Mexican, Reservations, Full Bar, Hyde Park
"Hugo’s was the first great restaurant I dined in when I arrived in Houston, and this dish is one that I continue to go back for. It’s a mix of fresh, local seafood, including shrimp, oysters, and octopus with just the right amount of lime and tomatoes. It’s simplicity at its best, and it comes with Hugo’s fried-to-order tortilla chips, which are absolutely the best in the city."
Toro
$$$, Happy Hour, Sushi, Japanese, Reservations, Full Bar, Noodles, Southwest Houston
"In a town that loves sushi, chef Hori at Kata Robata tops my list for toro. I know the tuna belly is always pristine and perfectly prepared sushi or sashimi style. The fact that he's a great guy and has a great staff ensures that the total experience is always an exceptional one."
Soup dumplings
$$, Chinese, Asian, Chinatown
"I like any place that has soup dumplings, and these are my favorite in town. It comes with a moist pork filling in a flavorful hot broth, but don’t try and eat the dumplings in one bite—you’ll burn the roof of mouth. Their hot pot is another good choice."
At My Venues
Cauliflower, pine nuts, & raisins
$$, Modern, American, Italian, Pizza, Vegetarian / Vegan, Greater Heights
"If my mom had made cauliflower like this, I would have cleaned my plate as a kid. Tasty!"
Revival Dog
Café, Gourmet, Butcher, Greater Heights
"There's something about a hot dog that makes you think of the streets of NYC and baseball games; those are about the only times I eat them. But the Revival Dog is a whole different ball game. It's made in-house with Mangalitsa and topped with this amazing green tomato relish and chicharrones, all served on an amazing pretzel bun from Slow Dough. You can't find a better dog anywhere else."
Housemade charcuterie plate
Café, Gourmet, Butcher, Greater Heights
"Revival Market is a neighborhood grocery store in the Heights with amazing meats. These guys are true pioneers in Houston when it comes to being local and sustainable. One of my favorite dishes is this salumi plate, which is housemade from the pigs that they raise on the Revival Farms just outside of town. It’s not too salty, just cured perfectly."
Bucatini, amatriciana, pancetta, tomato, and pecorino
$$, Modern, American, Italian, Pizza, Vegetarian / Vegan, Greater Heights
"Hungry? Come meet our version of an Italian classic: bucatini, amatriciana, pancetta, tomato, pecorino.
#Pastagram"
Gin, Peach, Black Tea, Pomegranate, Lime, Vallet Fernet, Porter
$$, Modern, American, Italian, Pizza, Vegetarian / Vegan, Greater Heights
"Boston Tea Shandy: Gin + Peach + Black Tea + Pomegrante + Lime + Vallet Fernet + Porter. Your Sunday Nightcap, FTW 🌙
#PunchDrink"
Spinach rigatoni arrabbiata, backyard tomatoes and parmesan
$$, Modern, American, Italian, Pizza, Vegetarian / Vegan, Greater Heights
"Spinach rigatoni arrabbiata, backyard tomatoes & parmesan 🔥🔥🔥
#AgricoleHospitality"