Hugo's

Hugo's Restaurant Review:

About the restaurant: Born in Mexico City, chef Hugo Ortega worked his way through the Houston restaurant scene before opening Hugo's with his restaurateur wife, Tracy Vaught. Housed in a vintage 1925 building, lovingly restored to the original brick walls and stamped-tin ceiling, Hugo's is a dining destination worth seeking out.

Food & Drinks: Start with one of the ceviches, perhaps the catch of the day with avocado, cucumber, jalapeño, cherry tomato, olive, cilantro and lime. If you're an adventurous eater, try the chapulines, pan-sautéed grasshoppers served with guacamole, tortillas and chipotle tomatillo salsa. Main dishes range from braised duck in mole poblano to pan-seared scallops over sweet cornbread, poblano peppers with crema and salsa de ajo. There's a notable wine list and multiple tequila selections, not to mention desserts by Ortega's brother and pastry chef Ruben Ortega. Among the temptations are churros stuffed with dulce de leche, Mexican hot chocolate and house-made chocolate ice cream. Hugo's makes a romantic date night spot, particularly on the candlelit patio. Weekend brunch is also worth checking out.