In this episode of “The Special,” we learn how Houston has embraced its heritage and reimagined it for a modern era. We meet Anna Pham, whose Mai’s Restaurant has been a city staple; Chris Shepherd, a chef who draws on Houston’s ethnic blend for his culinary creations; and James Glassman, a historian with insights on the city’s changing culture.Mai’s serves as the venue for our talk, as we dine on traditional Vietnamese fare, including catfish, hot and sour soup and Vietnamese crepes. BMW’s first ever X7 inspired “The Special,” by bringing together a new collaboration between two expert storytellers — The New York Times T Brand Studio and The Infatuation for the first time. Together, we examine culture and food in a way only we can. For more information and behind the scenes photos, visit nytimes.com/thespecial. Sponsored by BMW.