Resources/Web partners
Restaurants
17, 1117 Prairie (in the Alden Hotel), 832-200-8888. Stunning downtown hotel restaurant. Smart and contemporary, excellent wine list. Named one of 2003’s Best New Restaurants by My Table magazine.
Amazon Grill, 5114 Kirby Dr., 713-522-5888. Latin American food in a self-serve format.
Americas, 1800 Post Oak Blvd. in The Pavilion, 713-961-1492. Much-written-about and awarded Latin American fine-dining establishment. Stunning interior.
Amerigo’s Grille, 25250 Grogan’s Park Drive, The Woodlands, 281-362-0808. Italian-American upscale restaurant in a beautiful setting. Live piano music.
Andre’s Pastry Shop and Cafe, 2515 River Oaks Blvd. at Westheimer, 713-524-3863, and other location. Breakfast and tea room lunch, as well as all varieties of French pastries.
Arcodoro, 5000 Westheimer at Post Oak Blvd., 713-621-6888. Traditional Sardinian food and drink. Excellent wine list, pretty setting indoors and outside.
Ashiana, 12610 Briar Forest at Dairy Ashford, 281-679-5555. Authentic and innovative North Indian cuisine. Carefully selected wine collection.
Berryhill Baja Grill, several locations around greater Houston. Famous for fish tacos, taquitos and margaritas. Catering services available.
Bistro Lancaster, 701 Texas Ave. at Louisiana in the Theater District, 713-228-9502. The Bistro Lancaster offers fine, contemporary American dining in an elegant setting. The menu changes regularly offering seasonal specialties.
Bistro Le Cep, 11112 Westheimer at Wilcrest, 713-783-3985.. French country cooking and wine bar, operated by Joe Mannke.
Black Lab, 4100 Montrose Blvd. at Richmond, 713-529-1199. Specializing in traditional English cooking, single malt Scotches, seasonal wines and imported beers, served in a pub atmosphere.
Brennan’s of Houston, 3300 Smith Street, 713-522-9711. The Texas-Creole classic is now more than a quarter-century old. Fine wine list, jazz brunch on the weekend.
Cafe Annie, 1728 Post Oak Blvd., 713-840-1111. Elegant Southwestern restaurant under the direction of Robert Del Grande and executive chef Ben Berryhill. Perhaps Houston’s most honored restaurant. Excellent wine list.
Cafe Express, Several locations around greater Houston and Dallas. Fresh, high-quality “semi-fast” food with counter service and marvelous condiment bar. Beautifully landscaped patios. From the Schiller-Del Grande Restaurant Group.
Cantina Laredo, 11129 Westheimer, 713-952-3287. Gourmet Mexican food for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch, on Houston’s west side.
Carmelo’s Italian Restaurant, 14795 Memorial Dr., 281-531-0696. Classic Italian restaurant offering dinner nightly and lunch weekdays. Also in Austin.
Cascadas Restaurante & Cantina, 12126 Westheimer, 281-589-0017. Tex-Mex restaurant with weekday happy hour. It’s adjacent to its sister restaurant, Cafe Caspian, a Persian restaurant featuring grilled meats, fresh herbs and cheeses and homemade breads.
Chez Nous, 217 South Avenue G, Humble, 281-446-6717. French country bistro.
China View, 11113 1/2 Katy Freeway, 713-464-2728. Contemporary Chinese food, including dim sum brunch and tea-tasting dinners. “Iron Chef” service available for parties.
Churrascos, 2055 Westheimer at South Shepherd, 713-527-8300 (and other location). Named for their trademark churrascos beef filet, this Latin American steakhouse is among Houstonâs most popular restaurants.
Crapitto’s Cucina Italiana, 2400 Mid Lane north of Westheimer, 713-961-1161. Neighborhood Italian spot, recently named one of Houstonâs top Italian Restaurants in a 2002 Houston Business Journal reader survey. Beautiful patio dining.
D’Amico’s Italian Market & Cafe, 5510 Morningside, 713-526-3400. An Italian restaurant, deli and food market, set in Rice University Village.
Damian’s Cucina Italiana, 3011 Smith at Rosalie, 713-522-0439. Favorite downtown Tuscan eatery with wonderful service and good wine list. Old-world decor.
Dessert Gallery Bakery and Cafe, 3200 Kirby, 713-522-9999, and other location. Sara Brook’s tiny, whimsical shop is chockful of gifts and intriguing tchotchkes, as well as old-fashioned sweets: divine brownies, drop cookies to swoon for and cakes that taste even better than they look.
El Meson, 2425 University Blvd. between Greenbriar & Kirby Dr., 713-522-9306. Cuban restaurant with some Tex-Mex menu items. Outstanding collection of Spanish wines.
Escalante’s, 6582 Woodway at Voss, 713-461-5400 (and other locations). A Mexican grill with indoor and patio dining and serving Sunday brunch.
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, 2405 W. Alabama St. near Kirby Dr., 713-520-5959, and other location. Upscale and popular steakhouse with award-winning wine list.
Fratelli’s, 10989 Northwest Freeway (US 290) near 34th Street, 713-957-1150. Fresh homemade pasta and specialties representing all areas of Italy
Golden Room, 1209 Montrose Blvd. between West Dallas & West Gray, 713-524-9614. Thai and Chinese cuisine presented in a tiny jewelbox of a dining room.
Goode Co. Seafood, 10211 Katy Freeway near Gessner, 713-464-7933, and other location. Gulf Coast seafood restaurant famous for sauteed catfish fillet and Mexican-style ceviche. Lively ambiance.
Hugo’s, 1602 Westheimer at Mandell, 713-524-7744. This newcomer from Hugo Ortega (it opened summer 2002) offers authentic regional Mexican cuisine.
Joyce’s Seafood & Steaks, 6415 San Felipe at Winrock, 713-975-9902. Fresh seafood and steaks in a casual atmosphere. Specialties include grilled snapper, BBQ shrimp, yellow fine tuna and lobster and shrimp enchiladas.
Kenny & Ziggy’s, 2327 Post Oak Blvd. near Westheimer, 713-871-8883. New York-style delicatessen restaurant near The Galleria.
Kim Son, 2001 Jefferson, 713-222-2461 (and other locations). Large and very popular mini-chain of Vietnamese restaurants. Also has a catering business; call 713-222-2404.
Kobe, 9751 Katy Freeway near Bunker Hill Road, 713-827-8329. Casual Memorial-area Japanese restaurant and sushi bar.
La Trattoria, 6504 Westheimer between Winrock & South Voss, 713-782-1324. Classic Italian menu and award-winning wine list. For business or pleasure.
Landry’s Signature Group: La Griglia, Grotto, Pesce, Willie G’s, Vic & Anthony’s and Brenner’s. Enjoy spectacular dining and incredible ambiance when you dine at any one of Landry’s Signature Restaurants. Follow the link for locations and reservation information.
Laurier Cafe, 3139 Richmond Ave., 713-807-1632. Contemporary American food with a slight French accent. Excellent wine list.
Le Mistral, 1420 Eldridge Parkway between Briar Forest & Memorial, 832-379-8322. A French bistro offering express lunch specials.
Lynn’s Steakhouse, 955 Dairy Ashford south of Katy Freeway (I-10), 281-870-0807. Serving U.S. Prime beef and the freshest seafood available. Voted #1 of Houston’s Top 10 Wine Lists by My Table magazine in 2003.
Mark’s American Cuisine, 1658 Westheimer, 713-523-3800. One of Houston’s most-lauded restaurants, operated by chef Mark Cox. Seasonal menu, award-winning wine list.
Masraff’s on Post Oak Lane, 1025 Post Oak Lane, 713-355-1975. Casually elegant upscale restaurant featuring Euro/American cuisine. Voted “Best New Rstaurant” and “Best Interior Design” in 2000 by readers of My Table magazine.
McCormick & Schmick’s, 1151 Uptown Park Blvd on the West Loop, 713-840-7900. Fresh seafood from around the globe is the house specialty. Offering lunch and dinner daily.
Mockingbird Bistro, 1985 Welch (at McDuffie), Houston, TX, 77019, 713-533-0200 . Chef/owner John Sheely’s newest restaurant emphasizes the flavorful ingredients of the French and Italian Riviera in a comfortable and eclectic atmosphere. Be sure to try the wine list priced below-average mark-up.
Noe, Four Riverway, in the Omni Houston Hotel, 713-871-8177. Elegant contemporary restaurant.
Palazzo’s Italian Cafe, 2300 Westheimer, 713-522-6777 (and other locations). Traditional Italian-American cooking. Pretty street-side patio.
Pappas Bros. Steakhouse, 5839 Westheimer at Bering, Houston, TX 77057, 713-780-7352. Pappas Bros. features aged prime beef, fine wine and premium cigars in a 1940s-style steakhouse atmosphere.
Perry’s Grille, 487 Bay Area Blvd., 281-286-8800 and other locations. Steakhouse known for its chateaubriand and pork chops. Live jazz Thursday through Saturday. Monthly vintner dinners. Nice wine list. Location also in The Woodlands at 6700 Woodlands Pkwy., 281-362-0569.
Perry’s Italian Kitchen, 1001 Pineloch, 281-488-2626. Family-operated Italian restaurant. Location also in Sugar Land at 5870 New Territory Blvd., 281-277-9009.
Piatto Ristorante, 4925 West Alabama at Post Oak Blvd., 713-871-972, and other location. Serves Italian and American cuisine created by owner/chef John Marion Carrabba.
Pico’s Mex-Mex, 5941 Bellaire Blvd., 713-662-8383. One of Houston’s most beloved Mexican restaurants.
Post Oak Grill, 1415 S. Post Oak Lane, 713-993-9966 (and other locations). American bistro serving chops, steaks and seafood, owned and operated by Polo Becerra.
Quattro, 1300 Lamar in The Four Seasons Hotel, 713-276-4700. Upscale dining room with the legendary attention to detail you expect from a Four Seasons operation.
Rainbow Lodge, 2011 Ella Blvd. at East T.C. Jester, 713-861-8666. A fine American restaurant nestled in a lush bayou-side setting.
Red Lion Pub, 2316 S. Shepherd, 713-782-3030. Cozy English pub with more than 20 beers on tap and classic pub fare, including shepherd’s pie and fish and chips.
Rudi Lechner’s, 2503 S. Gessner north of Westheimer, 713-782-1180. Celebrating more than 30 years in Houston and serving fresh seafood, steaks and outstanding German food. Live entertainment with Alpenfest Wednesday through Saturday nights
Shade, 250 West 19th Street, 713-863-7500. Located in the Historic Houston Heights. Seasonal global comfort food with an award-winning wine list. Lunch, dinner and weekend brunch. Open 7 days a week.
Simposio, 5591 Richmond at Chimney Rock, 713-532-0550. Upscale Northern Italian restaurant.
Spanish Flowers, 4701 Main Street at Airline in The Heights, 713-869-1706. Authentic Mexican dinners in a newly expanded dining area, including menudo, caldo de rez, carne guisada and pollo en mole. Open 24 hours except Tuesday night.
Spencer’s for Steaks and Chops, 1600 Lamar (in the Hilton Americas Hotel), 713-739-8000. Downtown’s new convention hotel offers this classic American steakhouse and wine bar.
Sullivan’s Steakhouse, 4608 Westheimer, 713-961-0333 (check the link for additional Sullivan’s locations across the country). Enjoy lunch or dinner in this 1940’s-styled steakhouse featuring the finest steaks and seafood, unparalleled martinis, extensive wine list and great live jazz.
Sweet Tomatoes, 8775 Katy Freeway, 713-365-9594, and other locations. Soup, salad and pasta bar with an enormous assortment of fresh foods. Dessert, too.
Sylvia’s Enchilada Kitchen, 12637 Westheimer at Dairy Ashford, 281-679-8300. South Texas cooking, including the city’s largest selection of enchiladas.
Taco Milagro, 2555 Kirby Dr. at Westheimer, 713-522-1999. Quick-eats hand-made Mexican food. Counter service with condiment bar—this is a sibling to Cafe Express—and patio.
Texas Land and Cattle Steakhouse, with 4 Houston area locations: 12313 Katy Freeway, 281-679-9900; 11900 Dickinson, 281-922-6333; 8015 West FM 1960, 281-469-3838; and 12710 S.W. Freeway, Stafford, TX 281-494-8844 (check the link for locations throughout Texas and New Mexico). Enjoy all your Texas favorites, USDA Choice steaks, chicken, ribs and seafood grilled over a mesquite fire.
The Oceanaire Seafood Room, 5061 Westheimer, in The Galleria, 832-487-8862. Exquisitely fresh seafood served in a 1930s-style luxe nautical dining room.
The Raven Grill, 1916 Bissonnet at Hazard St., 713-521-2027. A neighborhood restaurant serving fresh regional food cooked over a wood fire grill and served in a casual, comfortable atmosphere.
The Remington, 1919 Briar Oaks Lane at San Felipe in the St. Regis Hotel, 713-403-2631. A beautiful collection of dining areas, including the Astor Court, Conservatory, Bar, Wine Room, Private Dining Room and Green Room.
Tila’s Restaurante & Bar, 1111 S. Shepherd south of West Dallas, 713-522-7654.. Mexico City and Continental cuisine. Dining indoors or patio seating.
Truluck’s Steak & Stone Crab, 5350 Westheimer, 713-783-7270 (check the link for additional Truluck’s locations in Texas and Florida). The place for fresh stone crab, steaks and seafood. Serving lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch in an up-scale retro setting. Winner of two My Table Top 10 Wine list awards: Best By-The-Glass program and they debuted at #8 on the Top 10 Wine Lists in Houston.
Uptown Sushi, 1131-14 Uptown Park Blvd., 713-871-1200. Chef Donald Chang’s hot Japanese-fusion outpost crackles with energy. Wonderful sushi, cooked dishes and leggy young beauties.
