You know those meals that linger in your mind long after the last bite or the kind of cocktail you keep going back to because it never disappoints? That’s the inspiration behind this list. Our editorial team loves swapping stories about recent finds at local restaurants or old favorites we rediscovered, and now we’re sharing those recommendations with you.
1. Pad Thai
Tuk Tuk Thai Restaurant
We’re big Thai food fans around here, and Tuk Tuk Thai Restaurant is doing everything right. Sure, Pad Thai is a staple at just about any Thai joint, but theirs delivers everything you hope for and then some. The stir-fried rice noodle dish is tangy and nutty with hints of sweet tamarind and a spicy finish. Tossed with egg, sweet radish, tiny dried shrimp and crisp bean sprouts, then topped with crushed roasted peanuts and a wedge of lime on the side, it’s comfort food with personality. 6314 Yorktown Blvd #201
2. Calamari
Trattoria Mamma Lina
When dining at Trattoria Mamma Lina, the calamari is a must. Lightly fried to a golden crisp, the calamari breading has a texture almost reminiscent of a mozzarella stick, in the best way. Each piece is generously sized, making it stand out from most versions we’ve tried. It’s served with a tomato basil sauce that brings just the right amount of heat and is finished with fresh parsley for a bright touch. 3815 S Alameda St.
3. Prickly Pear Margarita
BierHaus Port Aransas
Margaritas and summer go together like bread and butter. When it’s housemade, frozen and subtly sweet with a pink hue…well, that’s even better. Enter the prickly pear margarita from BierHaus Port Aransas. The team prides itself on the frozen treat, and for good reason. The house-made classic features natural ingredients from prickly pears sourced directly from a ranch in South Texas. No artificial flavors or colors are used to achieve the drink’s distinctive pink hue. You love to see it. 522 E Avenue G, Port Aransas
4. Conchitas a la Parmesana
Costa Sur Wok & Ceviche Bar
If we’re being honest, just about anything on Costa Sur’s menu would be rightfully placed on one of our “All Good Things” lists. But we’re giving a special shout-out to the Conchitas a la Parmesana. These Peruvian sea scallops are tucked beneath a broiled layer of parmesan, garlic butter and lime, creating the perfect one-bite appetizer packed with rich flavor. 15113 S Padre Island Dr #101
5. The Secret Garden Cocktail
Nueces Whiskey Library
On Nueces Whiskey Library’s spring cocktail menu you’ll find one of our current obsessions: The Secret Garden. This refreshing sip blends Violet and McQueen Ultraviolet gin with cranberry sour mix, Lustau blanc vermouth and hibiscus agave. It’s shaken with egg white for a silky texture, then topped with prosecco and a splash of club soda. Visually stunning and perfectly balanced, it’s everything we’ve come to expect from a cocktail at Nueces Whiskey Library. 3827 S Alameda St.
6. Crab Crostini
Gabriela’s Seafood + Tapas
If you’re the type of diner who likes to order a little bit of everything for the table and share, make sure the crab crostinis from Gabriela’s Seafood + Tapas are in the mix. A crunchy herb baguette is topped with fresh jumbo lump crab meat and finished with a drizzle of the housemade avocado sauce we’d happily buy by the bottle. It’s a fairly small dish, but totally worth it. 1815 Broadway St, Rockport
This list is populated by our editorial team as a service to our readers. We have tried (and thoroughly enjoyed) everything on the list. Have you tried something lately that you think others need to know about? Let us know!
