Move over kale. Watermelon is the current star of the salad menu. And what could be more summery? Not only is this rosy melon cold, crisp and sweet, it is low in calories, hydrating and packs potassium, vitamin C and A. It’s also local: Much of the watermelon you’ll find on Houston menus and in area stores comes straight from Hempstead, the “watermelon capital” of Texas. Chase away the summer blues with these hydrating and inventive pink picks.

The Seasons 52 watermelon and tomato salad. Courtesy photo

Seasons 52
Watermelon pairs with multi colored heirloom tomatoes (also technically a fruit) in this light and invigorating salad stack garnished with shaved red onion, tangy feta and lemon vinaigrette. Clocking in at 190 calories, it’s the least caloric salad on the menu and one of the best ($9, shown above).

Killen’s STQ
Chef Ronnie Killen has rolled out a new watermelon-beet salad that’s a must-try. Brûléed watermelon (a little sugar-topped torching) is composed over a goat cheese spread layered with heirloom tomatoes, pickled beets, shaved candy cane beets and Brussels sprouts leaves. Finally, a clever dusting of toasted pistachios and Tajin, a seasoning of chiles and sea salt ($12, shown at top).

True Food Kitchen
This polished Post Oak standby for health-conscious diners serves a full menu of vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options. Right now, dig into the seasonal heirloom tomato salad piled with big chunks of cold, firm watermelon, creamy chèvre cheese, sweet Marcona almonds and white balsamic ($10). Breath of fresh air!

Dish Society
The new cucumber-watermelon salad at these neighborhood outposts has it all. A bed of crunchy cucumber and watermelon is tossed with bright house-made citrus vinaigrette and topped with fresh mint, basil, avocado, sunflower seeds, cotija cheese and a zippy chili-lime salt ($10).

The pork belly bites from Dish Society. Photo by Kimberly Park

BACK FOR SUMMER! | Dish Society
For the pork fanatics: The award-winning pork belly bites appetizer (photo above) has reappeared on the menu. Dominoes of crispy rendered pork belly are layered with compressed watermelon and dressed with coconut lime gastrique, mint and ancho salt ($9 at dinner or $5 during weekday social hour, 3:30-6:30).

The watermelon mule cocktail on tap at FM Kitchen & Bar. Photo by Becca Wright

Editor’s addition | FM Kitchen & Bar
And if you’re just not a salad person … watermelon has long been enjoyed as a cocktail mixer in the summer months, and a recent visit to FM Kitchen & Bar has since given me a hankering for the casual dining spot’s watermelon mule ($8, photo above). The mule is composed of ginger beer, fresh watermelon juice and watermelon chunks and a melon-flavored vodka. But proceed with caution: While the mule goes down easily and is refreshing, it also packs a punch.