Belly of the Beast

If there’s one restaurant that captures why Houstonians brag about the diversity of their culinary scene, it’s Belly of the Beast. Chef Thomas Bille is a native of Los Angeles, and he brings that city’s global influences to his Michelin Bib Gourmand-winning restaurant. Many of the dishes have Mexican roots, but Bille throws in touches of Southeast Asia, Italy, India and the Gulf Coast. It results in genius dishes like a “saag paneer” with a salsa verde mole or a bowl of cavatelli pasta laced with herbaceous hoja santa. Add on some warm service from Bille’s wife, Elizabeth, and the rest of the staff, and they’ve created an idyllic formula for a neighborhood restaurant. It’s a place you’ll want to put firmly atop your repeat list.