Written (And Eaten) In The Stars

Eating the Nancy Cakes at Nancy’s Hustle

People use their zodiac signs to make all sorts of decisions these days: who to date, what to wear, their next job, what to do in a day. You could consider your zodiac sign as the avenue for finding their perfect fit, the thing that is the most “you.” With this philosophy in mind, you can use your zodiac sign to find your perfect restaurant, a restaurant that so beautifully aligns with the things and ideas you love. After all, it is written in the stars. 

Aries (March 21 – April 19): burger-chan

Aries are up for a challenge. They are pretty willing to jump into things head first, despite any obvious challenges or turbulence. Houston’s own burger-chan displays these qualities. Their original location in Greenway Plaza, which spent multiple years on the Houston Chronicle’s Top 100 Restaurants list, closed in 2020. However, they had plans to open a new location in the Galleria area later that year. But with COVID-19, challenges erupted. This did not stop these committed foodies though, their Aries-like determination prevailing. Intent on bringing their burgers back to the Houston population, burger-chan finally opened their W Alabama St. location in January 2022, once again finding their way onto Houston’s Top 100 Restaurant list. This gourmet burger restaurant offers both classic burgers and creative items with an Asian influence, unafraid to throw in a twist, and the counter-service makes it a good casual, yet trendy stop that an Aries will surely love. 

Taurus (April 20 – May 20): Theodore Rex

Theodore Rex is casual, yet elevated, tucked into a corner building on Nance and Richey St. in Downtown Houston, and is right up any Taurus’ alley. With many plant-forward plates such as tomato toast, braised greens, or melted onions, Theodore Rex remains deeply rooted, just like a Taurus, but also follows in the footsteps of mother nature, keeping a rotating, seasonal menu. Inside, the restaurant is cozy and inviting, accented with brick walls and hanging lights. And even as you sit booth to booth with someone, there is still a level of serenity as the restaurant manages to pass by around you, leaving you uninterrupted in your personal space. With an artsy calmness and warm, rich flavors, a Taurus will definitely find themselves grounded in the gentle space that is Theodore Rex and should note it down as their next restaurant stop. 

Gemini (May 21 – June 21): POST Market

Geminis are known for their effortless ability to switch between multiple facets of themselves, casually exploring a wide range of topics, jumping around their different social circles, and maintaining versatility in their lives. This makes Downtown’s POST Market the perfect spot for the ever-fluctuating Gemini. This food hall showcases dozens of vendors, providing choices such as West African restaurant ChòpnBlọk, Filipino restaurant Soy Pinoy, and halal taco spot Taco Fuego. At POST, Geminis will always have something new to try, unable to find themselves bored with the number of choices. While maybe unhelpful to their indecisiveness, each side of a Gemini will be pleased with POST Market, even if it takes them a moment to decide which side to indulge. 

Cancer (June 22 – July 23): Giacomo’s Cibo e Vino

Often described as homebodies, it can be hard to get a Cancer out to a restaurant. But Giacomo’s, located on Westheimer Road, creates that homey space, keeping Cancers comfortable even outside of the house. Giacomo’s perfects that classic Italian food reminiscent of home-cooked meals. Satisfying Cancer’s maternal energy, a trip to Giacomo’s is like a trip to see your all too eager-to-feed Italian grandmother, leaving you sated and comforted. Their service is always genuinely kind, explaining traditional dishes — tagliatelle alla bolognese, orecchiette giorgione, and ratatouille — and listing off their gelato flavors. Cozy and snug, Giamoco’s makes its own little home perfect for any Cancer who may be a little apprehensive about leaving their own house.  

Leo (July 24 – August 23): Bludorn

Leos cannot help but love a little luxury and dramatic flair in life, making Bludorn just right for this sign. Bludorn, gorgeous and lavish, plays to Leo’s love of drama and presentation, especially with their beautiful desserts, such as baked alaskas, consisting of ice cream and cake covered in caramelized meringue and occasionally lit on fire at the table, or zeppole, a light, fried, doughy Italian pastry. Alongside this luxurious, warm energy, there is a joyful light within the restaurant, given their always helpful, bright service and the murmur of lively chatter. Between their drool-worthy short rib ravioli and their bright hamachi crudo, Bludorn is an unbelievable place to eat. Most Leos will surely love the atmosphere, the food, and the joy that Bludorn brings to both the plate and their restaurant. 

Virgo (August 24 – September 22): Coltivare

Like a Virgo, Heights restaurant Coltivare values a refined plate. Their dishes — including plates like classic margherita pizza, pumpkin ravioli, a roasted pear salad, and delicious focaccia — are always refined, yet never too minimal, the perfect polished serving. Virgos are also known for their green thumbs, harboring a love for plants and the garden, just another thing Coltivare shares. Their patio, decorated with cozy string lights, branches out into a beautiful garden where they grow herbs and vegetables which eventually find their way to the plate. Between their outdoor seating, their booths, and their bar seating right in front of the wood-burning oven, Coltivare is an all-encompassing experience of warmth and ease. While you might have to prepare to wait in line for a little, a Virgo should not miss out on an experience so beautifully crafted and grown. 

Libra (September 23 – October 22): Elro

Symbolized by scales of justice, Libras love a sense of balance. Many with this sign exhibit a good mix of opposing characteristics. They level the good with the bad and seek a sense of harmony. Houston’s Elro, located in Montrose, creates such harmony. The restaurant balances modern and old, classic and contemporary, casualness and elegance. Their menu features both simple and elevated pizzas, highlighting flavors such as maitake mushrooms, sauerkraut, and Calabrian chilis yet also the more simplistic tomatoes, cheeses, and sausage. Additionally, they have delicate, summer-esque crudo and a wide range of starters, from bruschetta to unagi arancini. The interior also emanates balance, mixing traditional, custom wallpapers with warm lighting and bar seating. Elro creates a lovely harmony and is a perfect place for a Libra to eat with a good friend — with maybe a little bit of gossip.

Scorpio (October 23 – November 22): Kata Robata

Just like a Scorpio, Kata Robata is alluring, creative, and straightforward. This sushi restaurant, located on Kirby Drive, is phenomenal and has spent many years on the Houston Chronicle’s Top 100 Restaurants list. Aligned with Scorpio, Kata Robata is precise and sharp, with clean-cut nigiri and meticulously crafted rolls. With this exactness perfected, creativity can shine; Kata Robata’s menu features various signature rolls, like the Rising Sun roll or the Longhorn roll. Obviously, a sushi restaurant is perfect for a water sign, and with their precision and specifically crafted creations, Kata Robata would make a great stop for any Scorpio. 

Sagittarius (November 23 – December 20): Nancy’s Hustle

With Sagittarius’ free spirit and warm charm, they are sure to love Nancy’s Hustle. This restaurant has gorgeous mood lighting, seamlessly ethereal energy, and the consistent hum of background conversations to tune into. Not only is Nancy’s Hustle’s environment well-suited to a Sagittarius, but their creative dishes will surely please this zodiac sign too. With plates such as olive oil-poached octopus, wild boar ragu, an apple napoleon for dessert, and the iconic Nancy cakes, a Sagittarius will be right at home trying new things, experimenting with a world of new flavors and combinations. Between their wanderlust for everything and their appreciation for the innovative, any Sagittarius should add Nancy’s Hustle to their list of places to try. 

Capricorn (December 22 – January 20): Goode Company BBQ

Tradition, patience, and family. These are all things Capricorn values, and they are all things that Houston’s Goode Company BBQ exhibits. A restaurant that runs in the family, Goode Company BBQ has passed from father, Jim Goode, to son, Levi Goode, and remains loyal to preserving both Texas traditions and family traditions. And despite the accolades the restaurant has accumulated, the restaurant states that they feel most rewarded by “serving neighbors … true Texas experiences.” It is the perfect place for a Capricorn to settle in, surrounded by family, and appreciate good, classic comfort food. This is the type of food that takes time and patience to perfect with slow-cooked meats and family secrets. Capricorns and their love of tradition and family are sure to love a trip to one of Goode Company BBQ’s three locations.  

Aquarius (January 21 – February 19): PX Cafe

A restaurant with a cause is sure to interest an Aquarius, and PX Cafe is just that. This casual stop, located in a community center on Bellaire Blvd., is part of a larger project, the PX Project, dedicated to providing marginalized young adults with the tools needed to join the workforce. Through an 18-week fellowship, the project hones culinary skills, as well as real-world employability skills and the opportunity for self-discovery and development, all while paying them full-time. PX Cafe is the manifestation of all this work, as the staff is made up of those who have gone through the fellowship program. Through plates like Thai chicken salad, beef bulgogi bánh mì, and summer corn and tomato rigatoni, PX Cafe has no shortage of fun flavors and classic tastes. And due to Aquarius’ love of humanitarianism, PX Cafe is the perfect place to grab a bite to eat and support a good cause.  

Pisces (February 20 – March 20): Little’s Oyster Bar

Pisces’ next restaurant stop should be Little’s Oyster Bar. With a bright, airy atmosphere and eager service, Little’s Oyster Bar should please Pisces’ need for dreaminess; its dishes are light and creative, exemplifying that daydreamy imagination. Little’s Oyster Bar leaves their customers refreshed and thoughtful as they ponder the elegance and delicacy of their meal. As the last sign of the zodiac, Pisces is said to have learned from all the previous signs, blended their traits, and become wise in return. Similarly, Little’s Oyster Bar is the most recent product of the Pappas Restaurant group, which has put in over 50 years serving the Houston restaurant business. With all the knowledge from the restaurants before it, Little’s Oyster Bar is a wise restaurant that has learned from the best, just like Pisces. To indulge in their dreamy ways, Pisces should head to Little’s Oyster Bar, a reflection of Pisces’ wisdom and imagination.