610 N. Shepherd Suite 520 Houston, TX 77007 281.888.7806 dagamahtx.com

This new casual dining option just in from the owners of Oporto and the former Queen Vic, is situated along a greenbelt and the hiking/jogging/cycling path which runs east-west through The Heights. There is a petanque/bocce court next to the patio. The cuisine is Indian-Portuguese, originating in the Portuguese trading port of Goa on the western coast of India. Small plates are the specialty here, perfect for sharing among your group. Share plates * Yucca croquettes, pimento cheese, tomato neem chutney * Steamed semolina cake, pineapple raita, chutneys, boondi * Chickpea samosa, tomato neem chutney * Three chili paneer, peppers, tomato, crushed cashews, pineapple raita naan * Crispy fried potatoes, roasted cauliflower, canteen curry, aioli, raita * Chickpea-tahini spiced hummus, naan, crudites * Individual plates * Piri piri chicken, grilled, spicy ½ chicken, batatas fritas * Smoked Goanese sausage, roasted peppers, potatoes, greens * Lamb ribs charcoal grilled, canteen curry, green peas * East African style charcoal grilled beef skewer, bullet butter yucca, raita * Grilled lamb kebob, raita, fries * Lamb keema pizza, ground lamb, tomato neem chutney, blue cheese, pickled onions, green peas, mozzarella * East coast oysters-daily selection * Salted cod & potato croquettes, olives, oregano piri piri chutney * Da Gama mussels, canteen curry, white wine, bullet toast & Escabeche do mar, salsa verde marinated octopus, shrimp, crab, fresh fennel * Gulf shrimp, tangy Goan tamarind chili sauce * Banana leaf branzino, whole sea bass wrapped in banana leaves, Goan cafreal, basmati rice * Mun’s chicken curry, braised chicken, tomato coconut milk curry masala * Selection of beers & wines to go with these bold flavors * Desserts * Sponge cake soaked in saffron milk, fresh ricotta, pistachio crumble * Sticky date cake, date, ginger spice, dulce de leche caramel, caramelized banana * Coconut crumble, old monk rum pudding, pineapple marmalade * Mango ice cream, spiced pistachio & parle-g cookie

2800 Kirby Drive (at Westheimer in the Arrive River Oaks shopping center) (713) 522-2022 pondicheri.com

This wonderful counter-service Indian restaurant has been a Houston mainstay for many years, and followed its predecessor Indika, which was on Lower Westheimer. Minimalist décor, free adjacent parking, ample outdoor seating across from Tootsie’s…a good place to relax, have a meal packed with quality and Mumbai street food flavors, and watch the world go by. Breakfast * Masala eggs wrap * Mumbai toaster, cheese, cilantro chutney, & fried egg on house made brioche * Uppma & eggs, savory grits hash w sesame, vegetables, and two eggs/cilantro chutney * Coconut pancakes, almond rice flour pancakes w jaggery caramel & fruit Snacks, sandwiches, & salads * Samosa, butter chicken w cumin yogurt * Madras chicken wings, oven roasted w black pepper, sesame, amchur, & tamarind chutney, cumin yogurt * Citrus & paneer salad, local citrus, almonds, paneer w Tuscan olive oil, cumin, & micro herbs * Ghee burger, desi fries or pondi salad or sambhar, ghee fried chicken * Kalonji lamb chops, oven roasted with raita & eggplant masala * Curries * Punjabi cauliflower braised w tomatoes, ginger, & mustard seeds, 3 dal stew/quinoa pilaf * Chickfu curry, nutty chickfu smothered in empire masala & crispy brussels sprouts * Butter chicken, braised morsels of chicken in creamy fenugreek, tomato, & garam masala/ turmeric rice Desserts from in-house bake shop * Chai pie, chai custard pie w cookie crust & toasted spice cashews * Avocado key lime tart, nut date crust, avocado coconut filling & coconut cream * Chocolate almond cake, almond cake w chocolate frosting