Baich's Bar & Grille 
2016 Main Street, Houston 
(713) 650-8830
"A surprising treasure easily overlooked"--Zagat's
"A great downtown hideaway"--Houston Chronicle
Located across the street from the downtown bus station and adjacent to the Pierce Elevated — where locals tend to dine in dumpsters — Baich's Bar and Grille would appear to be the last place in Houston to find a sumptuous meal and some of the city's best jazz players.  Susan Hill opened Baich's on the ground floor of the 2016 Main high-rise in June 1992, and high-rise tenant Maria Johnson, a pianist herself, suggested Hill add live jazz to the fine dining experience, a suggestion the owner took. Now some of Houston's best jazzers — including saxist Horace-Alexander Young and guitarist Mike Sunjka — plop their gear down in the space behind the bar wall, providing the coolest and most sophisticated background music you'll find in town. Chef Jose Silva offers a cuisine that he calls "new American with a Southwestern flair," which means seafood, steaks and pasta served with a little spice - Tim Carman

Beck's Prime
Continually voted one of the Best in Houston, the restaurant is known for it's top quality, freshly prepared mesquite grilled burgers, chicken, fish and steaks.  Much has been written about their "extra stout" Hershey's® chocolate and fresh strawberry shakes. Four of the seven locations have drive-thrus.  You may enjoy Houston's beautiful weather and great food on one of their decks covered under umbrella tables.

benjy's

2424 Dunstan #125  (beween. Kelvin & Morningside) (713) 522-7602

5922 Washington Ave (713)868-1131

Modern American Cuisine.   New York Chic.   Southern Tranquility.  The place is benjy's restaurant and the lounge which opened in December '95.   This beacon for the hip and hungry has an incredible chef, new menu, and has become Houston's oasis for the mod-set.  The menu pulls from different ethnicities and is lighter and more flavorful than most in this Restaurant crazy city.

Birra Poretti's

500 Louisiana St, Houston (713)224-9494

"A great Italian restaurant and a heck of an Irish bar."  The new and improved version of this stodgy, middle-aged restaurant chain has lightened up the interiors and tightened up the kitchens. The old Birraporetti's served ersatz Italian food for more than 20 years, but its reworked menu is the new Italianate jazz — contemporary riffs on old classics. You might like the wood-grilled salmon, lamb chops with white beans, warm roast beef sandwich or pizzas.  - MSN/citysearch.com

Bistro Provence

13616 Memorial Dr, Houston  (713) 827-8008

Eyelet covered lamps and blue and yellow dressed tables will keep you cheerful even if you rub elbows with neighbors on both sides.  Provence excels with its saucy chicken, beef stews and many grilled items. They tend to be dry but all is forgiven after adding surely the most authentic bernaise in Houston. Purists may be quick to order the confit de lapin, a simmered red rabbit confit with candied onions and prunes, or even the oddly textured tripe. And even the fearful will be comforted with four different pizzas and several soups. But if you ever want something perfect to eat, but aren't sure what, just order the pate du chef, served with lightly dressed greens and the sprightly house vinaigrette. Spread that fresh pate on the warm Fougasse bread, wash it down with Vouvray (this crisp semi-sweet wine with green apple overtones is one of four whites available by the glass), and you'll forever sing the praises of Provence.  All the wines are French and desserts include natural citrus sorbets, rice pudding with caramel, and a homey baba au rhum, a grainy house sponge cake smothered in rhum syrup with a poached apricot and whipped cream. Aren't the French charming?  --Robin Barr Sussman, MSN/citysearch.com

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Black Labrador Pub
4100 Montrose Boulevard, Houston 
(713) 529-1199

The cozy English-pub setting in a former church is perfect for enjoying a pint of ale, a game of darts, perhaps a bite to eat. The kitchen is not strictly English (burgers and Tex-Mex dishes turn up among the shepherd's pie and bangers and mash), but it's probably much better than its equivalent across the Atlantic. On the patio, a human-size chessboard is designed into the paving and even occasionally used. As the evening winds down, try the Scotch apple pie and a Samuel Smith Taddy porter. On the few frigid afternoons that Houston weather calls for a fireplace, crowd around this one with your beer and a book.

Brennan's of Houston
3300 Smith, Houston
(713) 522-9711
Unarguably one of Houston's most beautiful restaurants.  Brennan's showcases its New Orleans roots with its famous courtyard and French Quarter inspired interiors.  The Creole menu utilizes Texas ingredients with regional items included seasonally. Tableside preparation of flaming Cafe Brulot and Brennan's famous Bananas Foster makes any meal a special occasion.  - Texas Best Restaurants, 1996

For 33 years, this "impressive" Downtown "Texanized" sibling of the renowned Commander's Palace in New Orleans has been ordained Houston's "Creole heaven", with a romantic courtyard and an "elegant" room; Carl Walker serves up  "turtle soup that will cure whatever ails you", "creative fish dishes and divine Bananas Foster", and dinner at his private table in the kitchen is "a classy treat"; all  in all, this is "a superior restaurant in every respect." - Zagat America's Top Restaurants

Brenner's Steak House
10911 Katy Freeway, Houston
(713) 465-2901
Tucked away in a nondescript building alongside the relentlessly congested Katy Freeway, Brenner's exudes a relaxed if well-worn charm that few Houston restaurants will ever match. A west-side institution since 1936 (original address: "Katy Highway, seven miles west of Post Oak Road"), Brenner's has seduced generations of local diners with its top-of-the-line heavy aged beef, attentive service and low-key atmosphere.

This is steak country, and the prime fillets and rib eyes arrive at the table masterfully seared on the outside while retaining a full-flavored tenderness that saturates the taste buds of even the most ambivalent carnivores. Once you descend from the top of the food chain, however, the neighborhood starts to get a little chancy. Appetizers and side dishes are largely unremarkable, and most diners end up opting for a generous helping of German-fried potatoes to accompany their steaks, a surprisingly homey touch to this otherwise upscale dining experience.

Change may be inevitable now that the restaurant has acquired new owners, but for now Brenner's seems remarkably unaffected by the passage of decades. The veteran waitstaff still recites the evening's menu for each table by heart, and the dinner salads remain firmly wedded to the lettuce and tomato tradition. One welcome update to the menu, however, has been the addition of a small number of seafood offerings, which can be ordered with a crab, shrimp and capers topping to provide a respectable, if pricey, alternative to the main attraction.— Paul Jennings, MSN/citysearch.com

Cafe Annie
1728 Post Oak Blvd
(713) 840-1111 
Sophisticated bistro where lavish attention to detail starts with chef/co-owner Robert del Grande's outstanding and unusual Southwestern menu.

"Innovation floods the menu but Del Grande still believes that less is more. Too many ingredients on the plate can create havoc with the final result. Witness the correct balance of citrus, spiciness, and richness in mussel soup spiked with ancho chile jam, cocoa roasted chicken with BBQ sweet potatoes, and wood-grilled lamb chops with black Oaxacan mole. The City Lunch is a way to enjoy a multi-course meal at a fair price (including some very affordable wines by the glass). Start with Summerfield smoked salmon or black bean terrine with goat cheese and fresh tomato salsa, then move on to rainbow trout with saffron aioli or Texas Hill Country venison sausage with red chile barbecue sauce and white grits. 

 Dinner appetizers sparkle. Favorites include the rare yellow fin tuna with shaved beets and truffle vinaigrette or fresh corn tamales with wood-grilled shrimp and crema fresca. Entrees such as Texas farm-raised redfish with barbacoa pork tamale emphasize the interior of Mexico flavors that Cafe Annie favors. Also expect rarities such as South Texas antelope with dried cherries and Casabel chile sauce, also deftly prepared." --Robin Barr Sussman, MSN/citysearch.com

Canyon Cafe
5000 Westheimer Road, Houston 
(713) 629-5565

Scan the menu at this trendy Dallas import, and you turn up a virtual encyclopedia of Southwestern buzzwords, from cilantro pesto to chipotle mayonnaise to adobo garlic marinade. This is a concept restaurant, more about being and seeing than eating and drinking, yet it seems to please the huge crowds that have waited for tables since the day it opened. Try one of the many taco or quesadilla choices, King Ranch chicken casserole, chicken-fried steak or a grilled steak. The dining room has a Santa Fe lodge look, with exposed pine timbers, Southwestern gewgaws and Fiesta-style dishes, a merging of wit and kitsch. The balcony, with French doors thrown open, is a stunner, overlooking Post Oak Boulevard.

Capital Grille
5365 Westheimer
(713) 623-4600
If you're looking for excess, go to the politically suggestive Capital Grille. With two giant lion sculptures "guarding" the entrance, the United States eagle emblem in the lobby, and the wine lockers displayed with gold name plates, you'd better feel at least protected, if not exclusive. Every decor detail, including the glassed-in meat locker, is masculine to the max and overdone to the infinitum. There are enough extravagantly framed oil paintings on the walls to open a small museum and the dining room banquettes and chairs are either leather or velvet. So quit gawking and order a steak--we recommend the 14-ounce towering filet mignon, a melt-in-your-mouth masterpiece (it's dry-aged). 

Other steak choices range from 14-ounces to 24-ounces: sirloin, porterhouse, or a fancy-pants steak au poivre with Courvoisier cognac cream sauce. Side vegetables are not as impressive but portions are massive--the baked potato is a full pound! Stick to that or the cottage fries. Appetizers are also hit and miss--smoked Norwegian salmon is safe but don't be tempted by the lobster and crab cakes. We must say, though, that the copper-inlaid bar and luxurious lounge is one of the best looking to ever grace Houston. In all its opulent glory, not only is this a see-and-be-seen restaurant, it's a must-see. --Robin Barr Sussman, MSN/citysearch.com

Carrabba's

3115 Kirby Drive, Houston      (713) 522-3131

1399 S. Voss Road, Houston (713) 468-0868

The family owned, non-franchise, locations. Simply, some of the best Italian food in Houston.

"Johnny Carrabba's kitchens perpetuate their nuova rustica reputation with well-tended grills and some of the best pastas in town. Don't overlook the surprisingly good pizzas on chewy, slightly charred crusts, either, or the seafood salad, a smartly dressed toss of bitter greens, grilled shrimp and scallops. Comfortable, dependable and expensive enough to make patrons feel indulgent, Carrabba's are unabashed yuppie havens. There's always a crowd. Best seat in the house for eating pizza is at the open kitchen bar next to the oven — nonstop action and great aromas prevail."
Carrabba's Italian Grill
Carrabba's Italian Grill was founded in Houston by Johnny Carrabba and Damian Mandola in December of 1986.  Many of the recipes on our menu are those of Damian's mother Grace and sister Rose. Damian has preserved the Italian authenticity of Carrabba's food by traveling the world in search of unique Italian dishes and by taking numerous trips to his grandparents' native Italy.

In January, 1995, Outback Steakhouse, Inc. acquired the rights to develop Carrabba's nation wide. There are currently 72 Carrabba's Italian Grill locations with another 10 planned to open in 2000.  In addition, the family retained two locations, and they go by just "Carrabba's", dropping the "Italian Grill".

Charlie's Coffee Shop
1100 Westheimer Road, Houston 
(713) 522-3332
You've left the Land of the Low-Fat Latte, kids. What Charlie's provides is a decent burger sided with thick, crispy steak fries, basic diner fare right down to the featured Daily Special, and your old-fashioned bottomless cup of coffee. Extra, but at no additional charge, is the ambience, which looks lifted straight from either Five Easy Pieces or Pink Flamingos, depending upon what time of day (or night) you decide to drop in. Charlie's is always open and the service is friendly.  The sharp new outdoor signage can't change the local flavor, or Charlie's status as an old-school anchor of a chunk of Westheimer that was once — before the Burger Kings and Eckerds moved in — more strip than strip mall. No amount of renovation, no matter how thorough, will extricate he history from Charlie's, one of the neighborhood's longest-lived and livelier haunts. — Laura Lark

Chez Nous French Restaurant 
217 S. Avenue G, Humble 
(281) 446-6717
Gerard and Sandra Brach preside over what feels like a little French country inn in a former Pentecostal church. In the middle of a modest residential neighborhood in Humble, a few blocks off Main Street, it's the kind of place you'd brag to your friends about discovering on a trip through Napa Valley, say, or Vermont. It's a French restaurant of decades past, so full of charm you almost expect the bartender to wear a straw boater. Most of the menu's offerings are sturdy, classic dishes with good sauces, and there's a generous wine list.

Ciro's Cibi Italiani
9755 Katy Freeway, Houston TX 77024
(713) 467-9336
A great little hideaway with a northern Italian menu that includes plenty of heart-healthy selections as well as good seafood. It's always noisy and crowded, but, if need be, you can buy Ciro's various pasta sauces at most grocery stores for preparing similar meals at home.  .

Daily Review Cafe
3412 W. Lamar Street, Houston 
(713) 520-9217
Owner and executive chef Claire Smith has brought a heavenly piece of "God's country" (California) to the Daily Review Cafe. Alumnus of Greens and Oliveto in San Francisco, her creations are comforting but vibrant, emphasizing local freshest-available ingredients on the daily menu.  One of only a handful of talented women chefs in Houston, she's achieved a local following and celebrity-chef status after only five years. Daily Review was named a "Best New Restaurant of 1995" by Esquire magazine and Smith continues to appear on national television and guest chef spots. 

The chicken pot pie, redolent of fennel, carrots, and celery in a rich cream sauce, is not anything like what Mom used to serve. Other signature items include the baked goat cheese salad with grilled apples and spiced pecans; cheesy calzone with roasted chicken, bechamel, and feta; and grilled pork chops with house-made apple sauce and potato gratin. Daily dessert choices, as well as the baked on-site sourdough bread, are exceptional. A quick review: apple caramelized tart, chocolate whiskey pot de creme, or apple-cherry crisp. Brunch is popular but consistency hit and miss. 

Sparse with industrial-chic decor, the surroundings are sleek-casual and well designed (that is, if you don't mind being nudged up to your neighboring table). The low-key garden patio looks onto a lovely lawn and herb garden. In or out, you'll most likely be in the company of food-smart diners who are willing to pay top dollar for top-notch goods. --Robin Barr Sussman, MSN/citysearch.com

Damian's Cucina Italiana
3011 Smith St. (Dowtown Houston) 
(713) 522-0439
There is novelty Italian, then there is Damian's. Perched on the edge of downtown, it's maintained a sophisticated freshness while standing the test of time. It remains resoundingly popular with the business class because of its suitable location, unobtrusive service and authentically robust Italian cuisine. 

An off-the-menu secret: Begin with the perfectly balanced, zesty Caesar salad prepared tableside. Antipasti selections like peppers and anchovies or steamed mussels in white wine sauce are delicate and of a civilized portion size, just as they should be. From simple to sublime, pasta is really the winner here. Choose agnolotti di alba (half moon pasta stuffed with veal in sage butter), mushroom lasagna with tomato cream sauce, or spaghetti with lobster tail and lump crabmeat for over-the-top meals.  Besides veal piccata, grilled pork chop and filet mignon, expect a wide seafood selection including grilled swordfish steak with tomato, capers and black olives and grilled sea bass over creamed spinach. The wine list is a refreshing collection of white and red Italian finds including Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Barolo Riserva, Chianti Riserva, Merlot, and some super Tuscans. Big-name California choices are extensive and well-chosen . 

For a beautiful finale, focus on the tried and true: pudding-like panna cotta with raspberry sauce, tiramisu, chocolate pecan tart, or the signature Infusione de Cioccalato--layers of brownie, chocolate mousse, and whipped cream.--Robin Barr Sussman, MSN/citysearch.com

Dave & Buster's
6010 Richmond Avenue, Houston
(713) 952-2233
From early lunch to late dinner, you have a wide variety of selections. Choose from D&B's Classic BBQ Ribs to their gourmet personal pizzas, pastas and more - whatever you're in the mood for you'll find the menu.  When you wander into the Million Dollar Midway, you'll discover one of the best places on earth to get lost. With everything from the absolute latest in electronic simulators to all your tried and true favorites, this is the place to shed a few inhibitions and rediscover the kid in yourself.  Dave & Buster's has grown from a single restaurant in Dallas to more than 20 in the U.S. and two in England.

eatZi's
1702 Post Oak Blvd @ San Felipe
(713) 629-6003
Houston is home to the second eatZi's, opened in the Summer of 1997.  Created by Phillip Romano, the creator of the Fudruckers chain, the restaurants are modeled after upscale grocery stores like Dean & Deluca and Balducci's in Manhattan. They sell fresh meat and quality produce, along with fancy prepared dishes.  The chain is jointly owned by Mr. Romano and Brinker International®.

At the Houston eatZi's, a customer walks right into the kitchen. The aroma of cooked food and freshly baked bread hits you. Classical music plays loudly. Customers and employees scurry about like it's dinnertime on the Titanic. At 9 p.m. a horn blows and all of the prepared food is sold for half price.  There are no steam tables at eatZi's. Chefs in white paper toques and jackets serve from their skillets and cook most of the hot, to-go entrèes to order. A small eat-in dining area is available at the back of the store.

Fuad's Continental Restaurant
6100 Westheimer Road, Houston
(713) 785-0130
The mystery continues at this Continental-style throwback from the money-slinging, oil boom '70s that specializes in rich hors d'oeuvres and flaming dishes. The secret? Dark and quaint with extremely high standards, Fuad's has no menu but seems to produce whatever your heart desires. 

From sweetbreads to steak Diane or bananas Foster, it's all available and justly prepared. Consider starting with the crisp Caesar salad, a feisty balanced king, prepared tableside. Move on to the boneless quail; such a convenience not to have to fool with tiny bones. Baked pita chips with zesty homemade salsa are also a suitable munchie to have around. 

Your entree could possibly be a thick slab of grilled salmon with bernaise (or maybe you just prefer a fresh squeeze of lemon, tell them that) with some fat, steamed asparagus spears. A meatier option could be a thin-pounded chicken breast with jalapeno glaze or a filet mignon with mushroom-red wine sauce. Fresh al dente vegetables are served family style--incredibly rich au gratin potatoes, cauliflower, and garlic sauteed spinach. The pampering, professional service and accommodating menu is quite a luxury--a very expensive luxury enjoyed by the select few. --Robin Barr Sussman 

With no menu as a guideline, Fuad's reminds you of that old saying,"If you have to ask how much, you probably can't afford it."

Goode Co. Barbecue

5109 Kirby Drive, Houston      (713) 522-2530

8911 Katy Freeway, Hedwig Village (713) 464-1901

This urbanized Texana-clad barbecue landmark has remained wildly popular due to Jim Goode's expertly and consistently mesquite-smoked brisket, faultless ribs, sausage, and honey-glazed smoked turkey breast. Sides such as potato salad and coleslaw aren't Hall of Famers, but the soft, homemade jalapeno cheese bread is a star player.

Moist smoked duck and chicken lean toward the oil slick, but the thick, sweet-spicy-smoky barbecue sauce is in a class by itself. Belly up to the always-long cafeteria-style line and snag a cold beer or root beer from the vintage cooler while you graze. You can squeeze into a cramped table indoors, but there's plenty more room to spread out with your posse outside at the covered picnic tables.

With barbecue this accomplished, a second location was inevitable. Wild West residents and businesses are mighty grateful for the Katy Freeway outpost. Thank your lucky stars you live in Texas and celebrate with another piece of rich pecan pie.  --Robin Barr Sussman

Goode Company Hamburgers & Taqueria
4902 Kirby Drive, Houston
(713) 520-9153
Another Goode idea: Serve two top Texas food groups under one roof.  Hearty, sizzling grilled platters of chicken, beef fajitas, pork chops, quail, and catfish come with mounds of vegetable-packed Mexican rice, astounding guacamole, and creamy refried beans--it's enough to make you forget about the credible hamburgers and first-rate fries. 

Place your order at the busy counter and nestle indoors or snag a table on the funky, neon-lit patio. This home away from home for hunters, families, and quick solo diners also features assorted enchiladas and fine chicken tacos encased in thick homemade tortillas along with buckets full of zingy pico de gallo and smooth salsa on the fixings bar. 

Ranch-style weekend breakfasts including comforting tacos, migas, and huevos rancheros are worth waking up for, and the lemonade and cinnamon shakes are just the tip of the big taco in the sky.

--Robin Barr Sussman 

Goode Company Seafood
2621 Westpark Drive, Houston
(713) 523-7154
Just thinking of Goode's cool, inviting counter in the summer conjures up visions of frosty beer and refreshing ceviche. This bustling seafood emporium will also warm your soul during winter with satisfying ettouffee or buttery seafood gumbo. 

The brilliant menu of Texas Gulf Coast, Mexico, and Louisiana culinary influences appeals to the masses as does the novelty railroad car that houses this wonder of water treats. Expect accomplished frying (oyster po' boys, stuffed crab, shrimp) but equally fine mesquite grilling--the grilled catfish con salsa verde, topped with buttery onions and avocado pico de gallo, is swoon material. The richer yellowfin tuna or salmon filet also swim to the top. These and the fried dinners are generous, served with garlic bread, empanada, seafood rice, red beans, hush puppies, or vegetables (whew!). Besides all that, count on friendly service, nice wines by the glass, and chocolate cream pie to take the edge off any off day.

--Robin Barr Sussman 

Grille 5115
5115 Westheimer 
(713) 963-8067
Bruce Molzan of Ruggles has dropped the heavy French accent at his glamour grill and is now more nouveau American. This chic shopping pit stop for ladies who lunch now offers the original Ruggles fare with a few stylish accessories thrown in. Still, expect to see svelte cigarette smokers puffing away and wine sippers casually resigning the midday away in fashionable banquettes. 

We suggest that you begin with the Hudson Valley foie gras with pineapple-mango salsa. Too rich for your blood? Try the spicy shrimp tostada with queso fresco and guava habanero. Savvy salad choices like the house-smoked salmon with artichokes, caviar, and walnut vinaigrette or the roasted pork loin with pear-pesto Merlot will make you sit up and take notice.  Grilled sandwiches (chicken foccacia club, bleu cheese burger) are available for the less adventurous. The entree list is extended with dazzling choices such as duck breast with honey-glazed barbecue mango sauce or seared snapper with shrimp, avocado, fontina cheese and cilantro, along with the required grilled peppered Angus New York steak. Desserts are just as ravishing as the original Ruggles. You're primed--ready, set, shop. --Robin Barr Sussman, MSN/citysearch.com

Grotto Ristorante

6401 Woodway Drive, Houston      (713) 782-3663

3920 Westheimer Road, Houston  (713) 622-3663

Tony Vallone sold this matched pair of noisy, oversize cafes to Landry's, along with La Griglia. They're less dressy than La Griglia, his first attempt at informality, and the food is not as fussed-over, but they're distinguished all the same by Vallone's insistence on first-rate ingredients and polished service. As at La Griglia, a wood-fired pizza oven roars year-round in the center of the dining room, turning out respectable, if not stellar, pies. (The yuppie drinking crowd that packs the waiting area after work certainly seems to like them.) It's hard to go wrong with a bellini, one of the excellent pastas or grilled meats and a wickedly caloric dessert. If calamari steak is available, give it a try — the kitchen knows how to pamper it with olive oil, lemon, herbs and a gentle undercooking.

House of Pies

3112 Kirby Drive, Houston      (713) 528-3816

6142 Westheimer Road, Houston   (713) 782-1290

It's three in the morning. You must have pie. There is only one place to go. That the pie isn't really all that great (and that the rest of the short-order food on the menu is decidedly not great at all) is beside the point. People come here because people come here, and that bit of circular logic has remained pretty much unbroken since the place began serving up slices of chocolately Bayou Goo and other such niceties in the 1970s. Initially embraced by the gay community — which earned it the affectionate nickname "House of Guys" — this round-the-clock establishment has become a general mecca for those wanting to nosh and watch the human parade pass by. Part all-night diner and part pastry shop, it has all the decorative appeal of a bowling alley, with a vinyl-and-Formica motif that seems stuck in time. But that very lack of pretension is appealing, particularly given its location between River Oaks and West University, those two pillars of Republican elitism. Delivery truck drivers dine beside society matrons, Gen Xers next to bidness men, curfew-busting high schoolers alongside off-duty cops... all are welcome amid the aroma of cooling pies (and, OK, a little grease). Two other locations, one near Inwood Forest the other in the Galleria area, offer the same menu fare but not the same atmosphere. - Eric Gerber, MSN/citysearch.com

* Historical note:  The Kirby location is also famous for being the birthplace of Houston's Compaq Computers.  The founders of Compaq spent many long nights in a booth at the House of Pies figuring out how to reverse engineer IBM's  BIOS to make the first 100% compatible PC clones.

Houston's Restaurants

5888 Westheimer @ Fountainview      (713) 975-1947

4848 Kirby Drive,Houston  (713) 529-2385

Despite the name, this chain is actually based in Atlanta, with more than 40 locations from San Francisco to Manhattan, and Chicago to Miami.  While Houston's is not a local chain, it does have a strong following.  The Kirby and Fountainview stores are quite popular and are usually packed for lunch and dinner.  The menu offers sandwiches, steaks, roast beef and chicken, served in a comfortable atmosphere of exposed brick and wood accents.  Seating options include tables and booths in a variety of sizes. 

Hunan Restaurant
1800 Post Oak Blvd. 
(713) 965-0808 
A River Oaks and Tanglewood crowd (including President George Bush) make this a prime people-watching spot. It's also the city's best choice for Hunan food, served in an elegant dining room by a crisply professional staff under the direction of Gigi Huang. Try the thin-sliced roast spring lamb.  - MSN/citysearch.com

Kim Son Restaurant

2001 Jefferson St., Houston      (713) 222-2461	12750 Southwest Fwy, Stafford (281) 242-3500
10603 Bellaire Blvd., Houston  (281) 598-1777

The roots of Kim Son Restaurant can be traced back to Vietnam. In 1968, the La family opened Kim Son, the largest restaurant in the city of Vinh Long. When the communist took control of the country in 1975, the successful restaurant was forced to close its doors. The family saved as much money as possible and began planning their migration from Vietnam to the United States. They chose to leave together, father, mother, grandmother, six sons and one daughter all ventured out into the South China Sea on June 12, 1979.

Arriving in Houston in 1980, the family quickly went to work to begin their work towards becoming restaurateurs in America. In two years, the  Kim Son would be reincarnated.  In February 1993, the family opened the largest Oriental restaurant in Texas.  The location at 2001 Jefferson (Kim Son I) was built to accommodate 350 persons on the first level, with the upper level banquet facility accommodating 650 persons. In the following years, more locations were opened in response to the demand of Kim Son customers.  Kim Son serves a mixture of Chinese and Vietnamese dishes.

Korea Garden Restaurant 
9501 Long Point Road, Houston 
(713) 468-2800
This is the spot for do-it-yourself Korean-style "barbecue." A gas-fired hibachi grill is built into each table, and the raw ingredients are brought to you according to your specs. The best-known of the eight meat possibilities are bulgoki, which is sliced-lean rib eye steak marinated in a sweetish garlic-and-red-pepper mixture, and bulgalbi, fat-streaked short ribs in the same marinade. With your meat order come a dozen or so little bowls and plates containing a variety of pickled vegetables and condiments. There are strands of radish in a light vinegar dressing, fire-breathing kimchi, fresh broccoli florets, fried tofu, pickled soybean sprouts, spinach with sesame and much more. Use your chopsticks to lay the meat and raw vegetables on the grill; turn after a few seconds. In less than a minute, you're ready to eat. Most diners lay bits of the cooked meat in one of the lettuce leaves provided; add some of the vegetables, a dab of brownish-red, smoky-tasting bean paste and some pickled things; then fold the lettuce into a little burrito-like bundle. Eat it and cook another.

La Colombe d'Or Hotel
3410 Montrose Blvd.
(713) 524-7999
Every inch of La Colombe d'Or invokes an air of royalty, from its plush, southern French decor to the marble bathrooms in each of its five suites and penthouse. Listed among the "World's Smallest Luxury Hotels," this small, European-style mansion, was built in 1923 by W.W. Fondren, founder of Humble Oil. It was bought in 1979 and restored to its present condition, still containing original art and antiques. Peruse the menu from the hotel's main dining room which might include coconut shrimp and mango-glazed grilled duck.   --Darcy De Leon, MSN/citysearch.com

la Madeleine - French Bakery & Café
A Dallas-based chain with 62+ locations, la Madeleine has 13 restaurants in the Houston area, plus a catering service.  Click above more information or here for locations and phone numbers.

Stepping into a la Madeleine French Bakery & Café is like stepping into a storybook French country village. Antique baker's tools adorn the walls. Exposed beams and wood floors give the warm look and feel of a kitchen, library or wine cave. One-of-a-kind brocant and rustic earthenware hearken back to a simpler time and evoke the look and feel of the picturesque French countryside.

La Tour D'Argent
2011 Ella Blvd, Houston
(713) 864-9864
Tucked away near the Brookhollow area, this unrelentingly romantic restaurant will take your breath away with its fairy-tale rusticity and classic French menu. On New Year's Eve, the management hires a snow blower to frost the setting in silvery white. No wonder regulars delight in surprising uninitiated friends with this amazing hunting lodge. The classic French menu changes with the seasons, and while it's not the finest of its kind in town, it's an earnest effort. Among the current slate of offerings is a chilled seafood appetizer (or entree, if you wish) that makes a dramatic presentation. La Tour d'Argent earned many awards and different write ups throughout the World. Few of these awards; Four Mobil Stars 1994, 1995, 1996, the Five Diamond Star Award, Best of the Best Award, The most 200 Romantic Restaurants in the Country and most recent the Top Twenty Restaurants in Houston by the Gourmet Magazine.

Landry's Seafood Restaurants, Inc.
In 1986, Chairman, President and CEO Tilman Fertitta bought an interest in the Landry's Seafood House, opened in 1980, and Willie G's Seafood and Steak House, opened a year later, and in 1988, acquired sole ownership of the company and developed it into a recognized seafood chain with four distinct concepts.At a time when steak houses and Italian estaurants were popular, Fertitta felt the seafood restaurant business was untapped and decided to expand, envisioning his high energy, full-service casual dining seafood concept throughout the United States. No one since Red Lobster had the foresight to operate a national seafood restaurant chain.  Landry's Seafood, Inc. has become the 2nd largest casual seafood restaurant chain in America.  As an innovative marketing approach to make his chain unique, most of the Landry's Seafood House restaurants have neon movie-style marquees, while many are located on waterfront sites.

Cadillac Bar
At the Cadillac Bar, they serve authentic Mexican food in a fun, casual setting.
Joe's Crab Shack
It's so simple, someone should have thought of it sooner. Build a tacky looking shack of a restaurant, give the interior the feel of a Gulf Coast fishing camp and serve all different kinds of crabs - cooked in a myriad of ways. Try the patio so you can chill out and pound on some crabs while you're sipping some cool refreshments, or if you're not digging on the great outdoor experience, you can slide inside, kick-back and just jam on some awesome crab on a newspaper-lined table.
Kemah Boardwalk
The Kemah Boardwalk has quickly evolved from a waterfront dining experience to a weekend destination, just 20 miles from downtown Houston.  At the heart of the Kemah Boardwalk are Landry's  restaurants. In addition to the other names listed here,  Kemah boasts The Aquarium restaurant which serves guests a great view of a 50,000 gallon aquarium brimming with marine life. The Kemah Boardwalk is also home to The Flying Dutchman.  In addition to the food, Kemah boardwalk features rides and amusements, quaint retail shopping and a new Boardwalk Inn hotel.
La Griglia
2002 W. Gray, Houston 
(713) 526-4700
La Griglia means "the grill", and it is no surprise that most of the food here is grilled at one of the two huge grills in a center food preparation area. Fresh fish, creative pastas, fresh vegetables are trademarks of the restaurant, as are also sinfully rich desserts. If you like to eat a big lunch, you can start with the basketful of pizza strips that precedes your order. The business lunch is the best buy--a hearty field green salad, a pasta medley, and dessert (with biscotti beforehand, in case you can't wait for your sweets). Just remember to stay away from the proffered mineral water--those lavish refills aren't free.
Landry's Seafood
All Landry's Seafood Houses feature fresh seafood from the Gulf of Mexico.  Enjoy gumbo, blackened snapper and shrimp Creole. Grilled or broiled flounder, snapper or shrimp. For a great dining experience on a water setting, visit locations in Kemah and Galveston.

Saltgrass Steak House

8943 Katy Fwy, Houston  (713) 461-61114909 Interstate 45 N, Houston      (281) 872-4545	20241 Gulf Freeway, Webster (281) 338-9778
9110 Southwest Fwy, Houston      (713) 771-1777520 Meyerland Plaza Mall (713) 665-2226

The story goes back to the mid 1800s, when millions of Longhorn roamed freely throughout Texas. With the taste of beef becoming a newfound favorite in the North, Texas ranchers prospered as never before. Each winter the Longhorn were driven to the Texas Gulf Coast to graze on the rich coastal saltgrass. And when they headed for market, they followed the legendary Saltgrass Trail, known far and wide for the best beef in the whole Lone Star State.

In 1952, this historic trail ride was revived by four riders to publicize the opening of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Today, the ride has become an annual celebration of that original Texas spirit. The first Saltgrass Steak House still stands along this historic trail. The Saltgrass Steak House recaptures the flavor of the open campfire. Steaks, chicken, and seafood, chargrilled to perfection. Complete with breads, soups and desserts, made fresh daily.
Willie G's Oyster Bar, Seafood & Steakhouse
Since opening in 1980, Willie G's has established itself as a favorite among the local business crowd, area residents and travelers. The wide variety of delicacies at Willie G's offers a multitude of choices for all guests. Whether you are searching for a light lunch of citrus and almond rainbow trout or a spicy blackened snapper ponchartrain as a dinner entree, they just what you are looking for. 

 

Las Alamedas Mexican Restaurant
Cinco Ranch Blvd. @ Grand Parkway
(713)461-1503
This former Memorial-area eatery looks like a grand 19th-century hacienda and the bar is as well known as the menu, but it's still possible to eat quite well here.   Check out the new location this Spring 2010 when Las Alamedas re-opens at La Centerra at Cinco Ranch.

Lynn's Steakhouse
955½ Dairy Ashford
(281) 870-0807
Lynn Foreman, a former legal assistant, opened this romantically rustic steakhouse in 1985, and her superbly understated menu has had a loyal following ever since. Try the New York strip, brushed with salted butter and seared on a 1,600-degree grill to give it a savory crust. Worthy side dishes include fat onion rings, rich spinach casserole and steamy-soft baked potatoes wrapped in gold foil. The award-winning wine list is unusually strong: Cabernet sauvignon is king and usually found in verticals of at least five deep. Oh, yes, the gumbo is excellent, too. .

Mark's Restaurant
1658 Westheimer 
(713) 523-3800
Situated in an old church on lower Westheimer in Houston, Mark Cox, chef and owner of his namesake restaurant, Mark's, has given Houstonians, who have anxiously awaited his debut for years, a thoroughly unique dining experience.

Offering Cox's own brand of American progressive cuisine, Mark's menu encompasses inspirations from many distant lands, indicative of America's true melting pot heritage. You'll find diverse styles of food are not intermingled in one dish, but rather American regional ingredients are fashioned in such a manner as to be reminiscent of a single culture's fare. Whether it's Asian or Italian food you crave, Mark's takes you there and back, with taste sensations which echo the authentic food of that land, coupled with Cox's own unrivaled American touch.

Massa's

1160 Smith St. (713) 650-0837

1331 Lamar St. (713) 655-9100

Mike and Joe Massa carry on a proud tradition providing Houstonians and visitors alike with the freshest Gulf Seafood in Houston, from their two downtown locations.One restaurant is across from the Hyatt Regency Hotel on Smith St, the other is across from the Four Season's Hotel on Lamar St. 

Both restaurant locations offer comfortable happy hours at the bar, or attentive service in the main dining rooms for lunch, dinner, meetings and parties. Mike and Joe's father and grandfather began buying fresh Gulf Seafood in the 1940's straight from the docks in Galveston, then serving it in their restaurant in Houston. This tradition survived as the restaurant changed locations several times over the years, prior to establishing permanent residence across from the Hyatt Regency and Allen Center office complex. 

The menu consists of favorites such as Gulf Red Snapper, Gulf Fried Shrimp, Swordfish flown in from the waters off the coast of Chile, and Asian Tuna. The shrimp dishes can be prepared a variety of ways, but the Mango Barbecued Shrimp are awesome! In following the Massa heritage, both restaurants serve freshly made-at-the-table Greek Salads to accompany any meal. An extensive award winning wine list of affordable vintages compliments any meal selection. Dessert selections include Crème Brulee, Cheesecake, Sorbet, and several Chocolate creations, among other offerings. Strong coffee or cappuccino served with dessert finishes a perfect dining experience.