Eculent’s cocktail experience is bucket list–worthy.

Deciding where to go and what to do can feel overwhelming, but in a city like Houston, you don’t have to look far. From bold bites to buzzy bars to uniquely Houston pastimes, there’s always something worth exploring. That’s where Houstonia comes in. In this weekly series, our editors share their favorite places to eat, drink, and “Hou”—so you can spend less time planning and more time enjoying the city.

EAT

For a quintessential Texas dining experience: Taste of Texas

Memorial City

There’s probably not a whole lot that Texas loves more than itself, and that self-love is especially apparent at Taste of Texas. The local steakhouse has earned a reputation for its elaborate salad bar and interactive dining experience—diners can enter the kitchen to handpick their own steaks. It also doubles as a museum, with various artifacts lining its walls. During a recent visit for a birthday celebration, the waiting room alone was impressive. Also dubbed the Sam Houston Room, the space features more than a dozen tables and its own bar where guests can order cocktails and appetizers while waiting for their table. Reservations are encouraged. Must-orders include the super-tender Cowboy rib eye, creamy au gratin potatoes, and sweet-savory brussels sprouts peppered with thick-cut bacon. Attend on your birthday for a complimentary dessert—always pick the apple dumplings—plus a keepsake photo courtesy of your server. 

The duck is one of Bludorn’s best dishes.

For one of the best meals I’ve had this year so far: Bludorn

Fourth Ward

Stopping in for a quick drink, I was enticed enough to stay for dinner. The bartender warned me that only a couple of half orders of the dry-aged duck remained—naturally, that sealed my decision, and it was as good as I remembered. At $69, the half-duck is a splurge, but an absolutely worthwhile one. Rich, tender duck breast topped with benne seeds arrives alongside a viscous duck liver mousse with pecans and rice pilaf with sweet raisins, the whole plate crowned with a duck thigh and finished with foie gras jus. It’s enough to share between two—I ate every bite solo and was absolutely miserable after. No regrets.

DRINK

For one of the most creative cocktail experiences: Eculent

Kemah

One of Texas’s wildest restaurants is back, this time with an even sharper focus on its cocktails. Chef David Skinner revived Eculent—his playful, molecular-gastronomy-driven concept—and incorporated AI to raise the stakes. Beyond its inventive cocktail list, which features garnishes ranging from cotton candy and camel fat to roasted duck, diners can dream up their own drinks by entering ingredients into the AI ordering system. If the creation lands, Eculent will add it to the menu. Most impressive: Skinner and his team make all liquors, wines, juices, and elixirs entirely in-house.

HOU

 

Claw machines are one of Houston’s trendiest things to do.

Conquer the claw machine and become a prize champion

ASIATOWN | KATY | CYPRESS

For some weekend fun, head to the city’s newest obsession: claw machine arcades. Clawcades have swept Houston’s neighborhoods, winning over curious gamers with enticing prizes and the irresistible thrill of the win. For the most diverse offerings, head to Asiatown and stroll the plazas, where spots like Claw Mania Kingdom, Claw City, and Little Bubble are stacked with stuffed animals, cute keychains, and trinkets you never knew you needed. Closer to the northwest side? Cypress’s Clutch and Win offers token packages starting at $10. Be warned: Winning the claw is super addicting! —Erica Cheng, news and city life editor

Avoid getting poisoned at the Health Museum

Museum District | Sat, Mar 14 | 11am–noon| Free

The Health Museum hosts a panel discussion with the Poison Center on community health and safety, covering how to stay safe at home and around Houston. Light refreshments will be served. RSVP in advance to secure free admission and parking. —Meredith Nudo, senior culture editor

Time to get irrational at Houston Museum of Natural Science, Sugar Land

Sugar Land | Sat, Mar 14 | Beginning at 10am | $18/adult, $15/child

March 14 commemorates both Albert Einstein’s birthday and Pi Day, so of course, the Houston Museum of Natural Science’s Sugar Land location has to celebrate with more than 3.14159 activities. Families are encouraged to work together to solve math puzzles, perform fun science experiments, and obviously eat slices of tasty pie. —MN