Houston - Dining & Drinking

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The diverse industrial focus of Houston has inspired people from numerous countries to settle here. With so many cultures represented, it is no great surprise that the city's dining opportunities reflect their influences. If you are homesick, there is a good chance you will be able to find a restaurant that specializes in your native cuisine. If you are simply adventurous and like to sample the flavors of the world, you will have a lot of chances to do so while visiting. In fact, you would have to live here a very long time to exhaust the possibilities.

Barbeque and Tex-Mex

Whether you are traveling for business or leisure, or you have decided to call Houston home, the odds are good that you will want to experience at least one meal that consists of traditional Texas cuisine. So what kind of food really says "Texas" to most visitors? Actually there are two—barbecue and Tex-Mex. Barbecue does not really require a definition, but if you are wondering what Tex-Mex is, it consists primarily of dishes that most Americans think of as basic Mexican food. Many people do not realize that favorites like burritos, fajitas and nachos—plus many other popular dishes—are actually based on Texas modifications to traditional Mexican food. In other words, you will not find a burrito in a Mexican pueblo unless it is at a tourist hotel, but you will certainly find plenty of them in Tex-Mex restaurants.

When it comes to Tex-Mex, the city's restaurants offer a variety of atmospheres to suit every mood. Restaurants like Chuy's (pronounced Chewies) are overflowing with piñatas and other fiesta-style décor and serve up delicious traditional Tex-Mex. If you prefer to dine in a more sophisticated atmosphere, visit Blue Agave. This restaurant opts for a rustic Southwestern look instead of the standard Mexican motif, and the margaritas, made with top-quality blue agave tequila, just might be the smoothest in the city. You can enjoy the best of both types at a place called Pappasitos. The décor is eclectic Mexican, complete with roaming mariachis, but the menu offers some sophisticated twists in addition to traditional Tex-Mex?

Otto's Barbecue & Hamburgers has been around for over 50 years and has earned former President George Bush's seal of approval. Not to be outdone, Goode Company Barbeque is famous across the city for the sweet-spicy-smoky barbecue sauce they slather on a variety of meats. If you want to sink your teeth into the best babyback ribs in town, head over to Williams Smoke House. The setting is casual and the prices are great, but that is pretty much the standard for all of the city's barbecue joints. You will be comfortable in jeans at any of them.

Steakhouses

Steaks are considered to be a strong runner-up as a Texas tradition, and some of the finest steakhouses in the state are located in Houston. Morton's of Chicago is yet another former President Bush-approved restaurant. It is classy and elegant, as is Capital Grille. Casual diners might prefer Taste of Texas, which offers the more traditional "rustic cowboy" atmosphere to go along with that excellent cut of beef.

Seafood

Beyond the realm of traditional Texan, the possibilities are equally impressive. The close proximity to the Gulf of Mexico has inspired a love of seafood, which has, in turn, inspired the birth of a large number of seafood restaurants across the city. The downtown area boasts the expertise of Massa's Seafood Grill, while the Galleria area lays claim to McCormick & Schmick's. The Kemah Boardwalk, located on Galveston Bay in the Clear Lake area, boasts an assortment that includes the Aquarium and Bay Brewery—two dominant local favorites.

Cajun/Creole

Louisiana's love of Cajun and Creole cooking has also made its way into Houston over the years. You will find a lot of restaurants with Cajun/Creole items on the menu, and a growing number of them have begun to focus solely on this type of cuisine. Brennan's and Copeland's of New Orleans are both examples of New Orleans' originals that have made a mark on the spicy side of the Houston dining scene. (Note: Cajun/Creole flavors exhibit strong Caribbean influences. In fact, because of the similarities between the two, you will find the full listing of Cajun/Creole restaurants in the Caribbean dining category.)

Contemporary Cuisine

Not to be outdone by the Big Apple, Houston also has its share of restaurants that specialize in contemporary, cutting-edge cuisine. Anthony's is owned and operated by heralded restaurateur Tony Vallone. The elegance and sophistication of the décor and European/American menu are hard to beat. Baroque offers the best in French dining with a romantic, elegant theme. Georges Masraff—a Michelin two-star chef in France and the former Executive Chef of New York's Tavern on the Green—showcases his impressive talents with his long-awaited Houston masterpiece, Masraff's. Boulevard Bistrot and Bistro Provence head up the city's list of elegant and impressive bistros.

If you are a casual diner who enjoys sampling the latest in contemporary cuisine, you certainly will not have to go hungry. There are plenty of restaurants to choose from that offer the same quality without quite as much ritz and glitz. At Bistro Cuisine you can order at the counter and enjoy delicious French creations at a price you simply will not believe. You will be comfortable dressing up or down for your meal at Mark's American Cuisine, but don't let the name fool you. There are a lot of interesting global twists on the menu. Besides being casual, Ruggles Bistro Latino goes the extra mile and ventures into the realm of outright fun.

Foreign Flavors

Beyond the contemporary offerings that tend to blend the flavors of numerous countries, you will also find restaurants that specialize in specific foreign cuisines. A variety of Asian food types are popular in Houston. For Chinese, you can opt for elegance at Hunan or grab a casual bite at East Ocean. If you like Japanese sushi in an upscale atmosphere, try the Sake Lounge. If casual Japanese barbecue appeals, you will have a better time at Benihana. For spicy Thai and a view of some interesting murals, visit Nit Noi. Another interesting mural, this one of Saigon, can be found at Miss Saigon Café.

Rudi Lechner's pays tribute to German and Austrian cuisine, while the Swiss Inn brings you the flavors of Switzerland. Traditional Greek cuisine is the focus at Nikos Nikos, and a mixture of Mediterranean influences can be sampled at Riviera Grill. The flavors of Russia are available at Stoli Grill, and kosher selections are amply covered at Khan's Deli.

Thanks in part to Houston's influence in the oil and energy fields, the city has a sizeable number of Middle Eastern residents and quite a few restaurants that specialize in Middle Eastern cuisine. Al-Basha is a relatively new Lebanese restaurant that is already making an impression on the dining scene. Besides the food, the belly dancers are a big attraction. Istanbul Grill & Deli has the distinction of being Houston's only Turkish restaurant, but you'll find Turkish flavors making occasional appearances in other restaurants throughout the city. If you care more about good food than elegant surroundings, try Yildizlar in the Montrose area. It's not much to look at, but the food will certainly satisfy.

Italian dining is a popular choice all over the U.S., and Houston is certainly no exception. Italian restaurants are numerous, but with the excellent choices offered, you will never consider the type to be overdone. You have the option of dining lavishly, and if you choose to do so, there is no better place to splurge than Aldo's. The owner and chef, Aldo Elsharif, will personally cater to your whims in an atmosphere filled with luxury. Carrabba's offers romantic dining in a setting that is more mid-range casual, or you can enjoy the best of completely casual dining at Corelli's Italian Café.

Pizzerias are essentially Italian, of course, but the concept has been Americanized to a large extent. Fun-loving diners are drawn to the boisterous atmosphere of New York Pizzeria, while out-of-the-ordinary options, like barbecue pizza, attract a full house at California Pizza Kitchen. Star Pizza also offers a fun time to casual diners in a typical pizza parlor setting.

In addition to the tasty Tex-Mex offerings, the city also boasts a number of restaurants that specialize in traditional Mexican fare. Irma's has been a famous Houston mainstay for years. Irma herself will come out of the kitchen and treat you like one of the family at her homey establishment. Otilia's Mexican Restaurant and Pico's are a little less famous, but they also offer homestyle, authentic Mexican dishes that will make your mouth water. You can also sample some South American spice at Sabroso Grill or nibble on some tasty tapas at Solero or Mi Luna. (Tapas is a term for smaller, snack-size portions. The general concept is for several people to order several tapas and share.)

Health-Conscious/Vegetarian

Houston is also kind to health-conscious diners. If your concept of healthy food revolves primarily around low-fat, grilled meats, you will find a very large number of restaurants to accommodate you. If you prefer total vegetarian dining, A Moveable Feast is one of the many dining choices available. In addition to straight vegetarian selections, a large number of Houston restaurants offer vegetarian options on the menu, and a great many others will do what they can to assist you beyond the menu. The sky is generally the limit and restaurants in town are very good about catering to the special needs of diners when possible.

Class Without Pretension

In general, Houston is a casual city, and you will be able to dress casually at most of the restaurants you visit. You might say that the city has a lot of class, but not a lot of pretension. Some excellent choices await you if you are in the mood to "dress for dinner," but those types are more the exception than the norm. If you are really interested in rolling up your sleeves and hob-nobbing on a down-home basis with the locals, you will want to visit one of the city's very casual diners or cafés. Some of them are quaint, while others are full-blown dives, but do not be fooled by appearances. Some of those dives serve up some mighty tasty food. Spanish Flower, which also happens to be one of the city's 24-hour dining spots, is a prime example.

Certain areas of the city have a concentration of specific restaurant types in a small area, but you will find a good sprinkling of most types throughout the city. No matter where you stay when you visit, you will find popular dining spots within walking distance, or you can hit the road for a broader selection. Either way, Houston offers dining choices that will leave you more than satisfied—and keep you coming back for more.







Copyright 1999-2009 Wcities, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Wcities

Pico's


Authentic Mexican flavor
 5941 Bellaire Boulevard
Houston, TX 77081
+1 713 662 8383
Pico's
Nikos Nikos


Outdoor seating in fair weather
 2520 Montrose Blvd
Houston, TX 77006
+1 713 528 1308
http://www.nikonikos.com
Nikos Nikos
Williams Smoke House


Feel Right at Home While You Dine
 5903 Wheatley St
(at Tidwell)
Houston, TX 77091
+1 713 680 8409
Williams Smoke House
Otilia's Mexican Restaurant


No Tex-Mex on the authentic menu
 7710 Long Point Road
Houston, TX 77055
+1 713 681 7203
Otilia's Mexican Restaurant
East Ocean


Asian Seafood with a Twist
 10830 Bellaire Blvd
(at Wilcrest)
Houston, TX 77072
+1 281 568 2288
East Ocean
Aquarium


Dining under the Sea
 Kemah Boardwalk
11 Kemah Waterfront Street
Houston, TX 77565
+1 281 334 9010
http://www.aquariumrestaurants.com
Aquarium
Spanish Flowers Mexican Restaurant


Open All Night
 4701 N Main St
Houston, TX 77009
+1 713 869 1706
Spanish Flowers Mexican Restaurant
Baroque


Lavish Elegance
 1700 Sunset Blvd
Houston, TX 77005
+1 713 523 8881
http://www.tealas.com/
Baroque
Brennan's Houston


Taste of the Bayou
 3300 Smith St
Houston, TX 77006
+1 713 522 9711
http://www.brennanshouston.com/
Brennan's Houston
Sake Lounge


Sushi and sake
 550 Texas Ave
Houston, TX 77002
+1 713 228 7253
http://www.sakelounge.com
Sake Lounge
Aldo's


Scrumptious creations
 219 Westheimer Road
Houston, TX 77006
+1 713 523 2536
Aldo's
Anthony's Restaurant


Elegant dining
 4007 Westheimer Road
Houston, TX 77027
+1 713 961 0552
Anthony's Restaurant
Bistro Provence


Excellent Bernaise
 13616 Memorial Dr
Houston, TX 77079
+1 713 827 8008
Bistro Provence
Mark's American Cuisine


Mark's American Cuisine
 1658 Westheimer
Houston, TX 77006
+1 713 523 3800
http://www.marks1658.com
Mark's American Cuisine
McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurant


Air-conditioned patio
 1151 Uptown Park Blvd
(at Post Oak Blvd and Loop 610)
Houston, TX 77056
+1 713 840 7900
http://www.mccormickandschmicks.com/main.cfm?action=location&element=initial&locID=46
McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurant
Mi Luna


Sangria and tapas
 2441 University Boulevard
Houston, TX 77005
+1 713 520 5025
Mi Luna
Morton's The Steakhouse


Former President Bush Hot-Spot
 5000 Westheimer
Ste 190
Houston, TX 77056
+1 713 629 1946
http://www.mortons.com/website/index.html
Morton's The Steakhouse
Taste of Texas


Traditional Texas steakhouse
 10505 Katy Freeway
(Sam Houston Tollway)
Houston, TX 77024
+1 713 932 6901
http://www.tasteoftexas.com/
Taste of Texas
California Pizza Kitchen


Celebrity favorite
 1705 Post Oak Blvd
(at San Felipe)
Houston, TX 77056
+1 713 963 9262
http://www.cpk.com
California Pizza Kitchen
Irma's Restaurant


Homemade Mexican
 22 N Chenevert
Houston, TX 77002
+1 713 222 0767
Irma's Restaurant
Massa's Seafood Grill


Downtown Sophistication
 1331 Lamar St
Houston, TX 77010
+1 713 655 9100
http://www.massas.com/Seafood_Grill/index.html
Massa's Seafood Grill
Nit Noi


Wall-length murals
 2426 Bolsover St
(at Kelvin Drive)
Houston, TX 77005
+1 713 524 8114
http://www.nitnoithai.com
Nit Noi
A Moveable Feast


Vegetarian's dream
 9341 Katy Freeway
Houston, TX 77024
+1 713 365 0368
http://www.amoveablefeast.com
A Moveable Feast
Riviera Grill


Mediterranean style
 Karel Rogierstraat 11
(inside Radisson Suites)
Houston, TX 2000
+1 713 974 4445
Riviera Grill
Goode Company Barbeque


Goode Company Barbeque
 5109 Kirby Dr
Houston, TX 77098
+1 713-522-2530
http://www.goodecompany.com/restaurants.asp
Goode Company Barbeque
Capital Grille


Masculine to the max
 5365 Westheimer Road
Houston, TX 77056
+1 713 623 4600
http://www.thecapitalgrille.com
Capital Grille
Copeland's of New Orleans


Mardi Gras Spice and Style
 6353 Richmond Ave
Houston, TX 77057
+1 713 953 9448
Copeland's of New Orleans
Rudi Lechner's Restaurant


Austrian and German food
 2503 South Gessner Road
Houston, TX 77063
+1 713 782 1180
http://www.rudilechners.com
Rudi Lechner's Restaurant
Yildizlar


No-Frills Appeal
 3419 Kirby Dr
Houston, TX 77098
+1 713 524 7735
Yildizlar
Istanbul Grill & Deli


Only Turkish Restaurant
 5613 Morningside
Houston, TX 77005
+1 713 526 2800
http://www.istanbulgrill.com/
Istanbul Grill & Deli
Little Pappasito's


Sizzling fajitas and margaritas
 2536 Richmond Ave
Houston, TX 77098
+1 713 520 5066
Little Pappasito's
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