"The brunch menu at Le PasSage has some wonderful dishes, but there are two standouts: the Japanese soufflé pancakes, served with matcha tea sabayon as a kind of syrup substitute, honey butter, and fresh fruit, and the fried chicken and waffle, which has dribbles of hot honey chili sauce that gives it all a kick of heat and a side of Chinese pickles. Brunch here has been exclusively on the patio with views of the Katy Trail, although that is likely to change as we hit summer. There is valet out front and parking in the building’s underground lot." - Courtney E. Smith
"Inside this restaurant off the Katy Trail, find a design that mimics some modern version of the Orient Express — a fancy train car with cool lavender walls and velvet seats in deep purple. As a bonus, the lighting is flattering everywhere. It also has one of the city’s best patios, in blues and light wood, that faces into the greenery covering the trail. The layout of both spaces creates a natural aisle to walk and opens into a dance floor for a reception. Leave the doors in the dining room open to the patio for an indoor-outdoor feel. The kitchen serves South Asian foods prepared with French techniques, which covers plates of roast chicken with Thai flair, shaking beef, and five-spice duck breast." - Courtney E. Smith
"This long-awaited South Asian restaurant with French cooking influences boasts an excellent menu but also a wonderful patio. It looks onto the Katy Trail, with lush trees all around, and features booths and tables paired with white linens and bamboo light fixtures. At twilight, it’s a dream. Enjoy the outdoors here while sipping sake over a plate of crudo. Valet services are available, and there are both street parking and free garage parking available." - Rachel Pinn
"This highly anticipated restaurant on the Katy Trail opened in October, and getting a prime time table on the weekends takes some advance planning. Diners can enjoy French and Asian dishes in a space designed to look like the Orient Express imagined by Agatha Christie. The all-star lineup of chefs crafting the dishes have put together a menu that is deceptively simple and entirely luxurious." - Courtney E. Smith
"The New Years menu at this hot new spot offers a lot of highlights from its regular menu — so why not try it out on a special night? See the full menu online, but some highlights include lobster dumplings, a toro tuna sesame leaf handroll, five-spice duck breast, blue crab stuffed Dover sole, and braised tofu. The cost is $165 per person, and reservations are available online." - Courtney E. Smith