CasaEma

3 Houston Restaurants to Try This Weekend: May 1 | Eater Houston

"A James Beard Award–finalist cafe that blends a coffee shop, bakery, and Mexican brunch counter, open early (7 a.m.–3 p.m. weekdays, 8 a.m. on weekends). Pastry and drink highlights include conchas, blueberry scones, blue corn conchas, buttery elote cornbread, and berlinas (brioche doughnuts filled with horchata pastry cream seasoned with cinnamon, anise, and citrus), alongside a horchata latte made with condensed rice milk, optional whole or oat milk, cinnamon, and either espresso or matcha—the matcha reads as white-chocolate–like, while the espresso (best cold) gives a roasted note that pairs with cinnamon. The kitchen serves inventive Mexican dishes such as enchiladas, huaraches, chilaquiles, the lone taco (taco de zanahoria with a toasted blue corn tortilla, confit carrot, pumpkin-seed salsa, and house-made queso fresco), hoja santa French toast (thick brioche soaked in hoja santa custard with strawberry compote and whipped cream), and a vibrant papaya salad with yogurt, house granola, blood orange, and an agave-lime dressing. The intentional lack of Wi-Fi encourages guests to be present in the experience." - Brittany Britto Garley