World City Guide

Restaurants

The selected restaurants have been divided into five categories: Gastronomic, Business, Trendy, Budget and Personal Recommendations. The restaurants are listed alphabetically within these different categories, which serve as guidelines rather than absolute definitions of the establishments.

Technically, there is a sales tax of 8.25% added to all food and drink bills. However, in reality, this tax varies and some restaurants only add the tax to either food or drink. Tipping of around 15% is expected and in some restaurants this may be added to the bill as a service charge – diners should check carefully before leaving a tip.

The prices quoted below are for an average three-course meal for one person and for a bottle of house wine or cheapest equivalent; they include sales tax but exclude tips, unless otherwise stated.

Gastronomic

Bistro Lancaster
Located in the sumptuous Lancaster Hotel in the Theater District, the Bistro is decorated in a European style but serves contemporary American cuisine. As its location makes it very popular with theatre-goers, it starts serving dinner from 1600 and dress is formal. Ingredients for meals come from the Gulf Coast region, such as crawfish tails or snapper fillet. Specialities include Black Angus ribeye filet in Cabernet sauce, served with haricots verts and herb butter.

701 Texas Avenue at Louisiana Street
Tel: (713) 228 9500.
E-mail: info@lancaster.com
Website: www.lancaster.com
Price: US$50. Wine: US$35.

La Colombe d’Or
La Colombe d’Or, close to Downtown, has a rare ambience with its elegant and intimate dining room, low lighting, walnut-panelled bar and padded leather chairs in the library. The mainly French food is superb, with surprisingly good portions for a gourmet experience and the sauted red snapper with minestrone garnish is highly recommended. No lunch weekends.

3410 Montrose Boulevard
Tel: (713) 524 7999. Fax: (713) 524 8923.
Website: www.lacolombedor.com
Price: US$60. Wine: US$32.

La Tour d’Argent
This stylish, award-winning French restaurant, near the Heights area, is located in Houston’s oldest log cabin. Small, intimate dining rooms contain tables with the finest silver and crystal settings and decorated with fresh flowers. Several fireplaces make it very cosy in winter and the lobster bisque is a great favourite with diners. No lunch Saturday. Closed Sunday.

2011 Ella Boulevard
Tel: (713) 864 9864. Fax: (713) 864 9754.
Website: www.latourdargent.citysearch.com
Price: US$40. Wine: US$27.

Scott’s Cellar
Definitely a place to come for a special occasion or to impress someone by dining in the wine cellar, with floor to ceiling wine racks on all four walls. The choice of food (Chinese and international) and wines is outstanding and the crispy shrimp with honey-coated walnuts is one of Scott Chen’s signature dishes (US$20). Located close to the Galleria area, there are luncheon specials starting at US$9.50. No lunch Saturday. Closed Sunday.

6540 San Felipe
Tel: (713) 785 8889. Fax: (713) 789 9766.
Website: www.scottscellar.com
Price: US$40. Wine: US$30.

Truluck’s Steak & Stone Crab
This smart, exclusive Galleria diner is made cosy by burgundy leather booths, mahogany interiors and marble floors. Stone crabs are shipped in from the Caribbean and also worth a try is the fresh fish with Truluck’s signature topping of sauted shrimp and crab meat with jalapeo bearnaise sauce. Truluck’s have ‘all you can eat’ nights on Mondays 1700-2200.

5919 Westheimer Road
Tel: (713) 783 7270.
Website: www.trulucks.org
Price: US$45. Wine: US$23.

Business

Bombay Palace
The Bombay Palace is a popular choice for both lunch and dinner, particularly known for its choice of vegetarian dishes and generous lunchtime buffets for US$11.95. The chef’s special kebab platter is not to be missed. Warmly decorated in sari-pink and burgundy with a spacious bar area, this Galleria restaurant has a lively atmosphere.

4100 Westheimer Road
Tel: (713) 960 8472. Fax: (713) 963 8061.
E-mail: arunbr@msn.com
Website: www.bombaypalacehouston.com
Price: US$30. Wine: US$30.

The Capital Grille
The portions served in The Capital Grille, located west of the Galleria, are hearty. The speciality of this nationwide chain is dry-aged steak and the menu consists mainly of beef dishes, with some seafood. Specials are available every day, but the pan-fried calamari with hot cherry peppers and scallions is a must. The plush, dark furnishings in this restaurant give the impression of a distinguished gentleman’s club. No lunch.

5365 Westheimer Road
Tel: (713) 623 4600.
Website: www.thecapitalgrille.com
Price: US$50. Wine: US$28.

Churrascos
This restaurant, located a few minutes from the trendy Galleria area, relies heavily on its South American heritage, reflected in the earthy colours of the decor, as well as the texture, flavour and colour of the food served. The menu is extensive, with a signature dish of charcoal- grilled tenderloin steak basted with chimichurri sauce. Lunch specials served Monday-Friday. Closed Sunday.

9705 Westheimer Road at Gessner
Tel: (713) 952 1988. Fax: (713) 952 2005.
E-mail: gessner@cordua.com
Website: www.cordua.com
Price: US$45. Wine: US$20 (white), US$40 (red).

La Strada
This extremely popular Italian restaurant, decorated in warm terracotta tones, is close to Downtown and serves an excellent selection of pastas and brick-oven pizzas. Its location makes it very busy at lunchtimes and it is essential to book Sunday brunch, when there is live jazz with a distinctly Mardi Gras atmosphere. The bellinis are a house speciality, while daily specials and light lunches are also available. Closed for refurbishment until Spring 2003.

322 Westheimer Road
Tel: (713) 523 1014. Fax: (713) 850 0202.
E-mail: lastrada@hypercon.com
Website: www.lastrada.org
Price: US$32. Wine: US$22.

Nino’s Restaurant
Run by the same family as Vincent’s (see Personal Recommendations below), the emphasis in this Downtown restaurant is on good home cooking from all regions of Italy, including excellent seafood, such as grilled red snapper with sun-dried tomato and pinenuts. Nino’s is a cosy place, filled with Italian pottery and hanging herbs and furnished with a huge old table always covered in an array of marinated and baked vegetables. No lunch Saturday. Closed Sunday.

2817 West Dallas Street
Tel: (713) 522 5120.
E-mail: info@ninos-vincents.com
Website: www.ninos-vincents.com
Price: US$35. Wine: US$24.

Trendy

Mi Luna
Mi Luna is a Spanish tapas bar, located in a restaurant decorated with tiles giving it an authentic Spanish feel. As well as tapas, it serves main meals including delicious seafood, such as marinated octopus in sherry vinaigrette. This very loud yet fun restaurant is in The Village and is at its busiest Thursday nights at around 2300 when there is often dance music or a live band.

2441 University Boulevard
Tel: (713) 520 5025.
Website: www.miluna.citysearch.com
Price: US$20. Wine: US$19.

Pesce
This is one of the trendiest places to be seen, attracting power diners to try its fresh seafood, such as red snapper, trout and mussels, served in a variety of styles, including Mediterranean, Asian and Creole. Diners can also enjoy a drink at the bar with oysters as an accompaniment. Very cosmopolitan, reservations definitely required. No lunch. Closed Sunday.

3029 Kirby Drive
Tel: (713) 522 4858.
Price: US$35. Wine: US$25.

PF Changs China Bistro
This trendy, upbeat Chinese restaurant, located in the Highland Village Shopping Center, attracts a young crowd. It serves great food with fine wine in a typical Chinese setting, with hand-painted murals on the wall reflecting the various old dynasties. A recommended dish is the chicken tossed with orange peel and chilli peppers. Closed Sunday.

4094 Westheimer Road
Tel: (713) 627 7220.
Website: www.pfchangs.com
Price: US$25. Wine: US$23.

Saba Blue Water Caf
This trendy place to eat, located close to Midtown, is made more attractive by its excellent seafood and steak menu – a great favourite is the pan-seared Pacific sea bass. Saba is stylish but casual with warehouse-style architecture (exposed brick walls) and a huge double-sided aquarium. No lunch. Closed Sunday.

416 Main Street
Tel: (713) 228 7222.
E-mail: chuck@sabacafe.com
Website: www.sabacafe.com
Price: US$32. Wine: US$20.

Vallone’s
Located in the River Oaks neighbourhood, this high-profile, pricey restaurant serves a selection of steaks, seafood and chops – the sesame-crusted snapper is a must. The restaurant is in a retro, tin-roofed mock roadhouse with brick fireplace and comfy red leather banquettes – smart but definitely not formal. No lunch.

2811 Kirby Drive
Tel: (713) 526 2811. Fax: (713) 526 7423.
Price: US$50. Wine: US$30.

Budget

Barry’s Pizza
This good-value pizzeria is a firm favourite, serving good, hearty deep-pan pizzas, as well as salads and basic pasta dishes, such as lasagne or spinach cannelloni. Barry’s is in a log cabin, located close to the Galleria, with a covered area for alfresco dining. It is an ideal place to unwind in and even watch a ball game – there is a TV room for watching the game and the walls are covered with baseball and sports memorabilia.

6003 Richmond Avenue
Tel: (713) 266 8692.
E-mail: info@barryspizza.com
Website: www.barryspizza.com
Price: US$24. Wine: US$17.

Blackeyed Pea
Part of a chain across the city, this branch of Blackeyed Pea is well located close to Downtown. It is popular with families (therefore quite noisy) who are attracted by the home cooking, such as meatloaf, burgers and pot roast. Panelled walls give a warming home-style feel with pictures of old farming scenes and the countryside.

2048 West Gray Street
Tel: (713) 523 0200.
Price: US$12.50. Wine: US$15.

Branches:
5923 Westheimer Road
Tel: (713) 784 8674.

4211 Bellaire Boulevard
Tel: (713) 661 3642.

4720 Richmond Avenue
Tel: (713) 621 6758.

Collinas
One of a small chain of pizza parlours, this branch is located in the Museum District and well-patronised by families, so it can be particularly noisy. It serves good-value meals, including a large choice of pastas, as well as pizza. A particular favourite is the Mona Lisa pizza, with feta, tomatoes, spinach and mushrooms. Nightly specials available. Closed Sunday.

2400 Times Boulevard
Tel: (713) 526 4499.
Website: www.collinas.com
Price: US$20. Wine: US$20. BYO: US$2 (corkage fee).

Branches:
3835 Richmond Avenue
Tel: (713) 621 8844.

502 West 19th Street
Tel: (713) 869 0492.

Pappa’s Bar-B-Q
Popular barbecue-style restaurant serving hearty portions of beef, pork, sausages, ribs, turkey and chicken, with ranch-style beans, rice and salad. Located in Downtown, it is particularly busy at lunchtimes when there are often queues. Casual dining in a country and western setting and particularly good for groups.

1217 Pierce Street
Tel: (713) 659 1245. Fax: (713) 659 5315.
Price: US$17.50. Bottle of beer: US$1.95.

Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen
Pappadeaux serves Cajun-style food in a loud, fun atmosphere – this brightly coloured restaurant, which is part of a chain, is casual dining at its best. As portions are huge, this good-value restaurant can be made even cheaper by sharing a meal with a friend. Fish specials, such as pepper shrimp with herb butter, change daily and are recommended served blackened.

2410 Richmond Avenue
Tel: (713) 527 9137. Fax: (713) 523 7839.
Website: www.pappadeaux.com
Price: US$25. Wine: US$21.

Branches include:
10499 Katy Freeway at Sam Houston Tollway
Tel: (713) 722 0221.

6015 Westheimer Road
Tel: (713) 782 6310.

Personal Recommendations

Caf Piquet
This friendly, family-run restaurant in Bellaire serves homemade Cuban cuisine in a light, open setting, with memorabilia from Cuba covering the walls. House specialities include roasted pork, mixed black beans with rice or yucca with garlic sauce. Caf Piquet is popular with the resident Cuban population, which is always a good recommendation. Closed Monday.

5711 Bissonnet Street, Bellaire
Tel: (713) 664 1031.
E-mail: cafepiquet@hotmail.com
Website: www.geocities.com/cafepiquet
Price: US$18. Wine: US$15.

Sambuca Jazz Caf
Sambuca is a great place to try hearty American food with a Mediterranean twist, served in delicious, tangy sauces. A dish to savour is the spicy barbecue shrimp served with a mango, avocado and pineapple salsa. The restaurant is great for romantic meals – it is more like a supper club with white linen tablecloths and candles on every table. Live jazz bands perform nightly.

909 Texas Avenue
Tel: (713) 224 5299.
E-mail: sambuca@flash.net
Website: www.sambucajazzcafe.com
Price: US$40. Wine: US$24.

Sullivan’s Steak House
Close to the Galleria, the sleek mahogany walls and Art Deco fixtures create a classy, drawing room elegance in this popular steakhouse. Sullivan’s has a simple menu with a wide choice of steaks, lamb, pork and seafood, as well as vegetarian options on request. The house special is a 20-ounce steak. There is nightly live jazz in the bar. Closed Sunday.

4608 Westheimer Road
Tel: (713) 961 0333.
Price: US$40. Wine: US$30.

Taste of Texas
This traditional, open ranchhouse, situated on the west side of Houston, is crammed with Texas memorabilia, including guns, cowboy stirrups and animal heads. It celebrates all things Texan and is renowned for its Certified Angus Beef Steaks. The cosy and relaxed atmosphere makes for an ideal place in which to pass many enjoyable hours, especially as there is free cinnamon coffee on offer. No lunch weekends.

10505 Katy Freeway
Tel: (713) 932 6901.
E-mail: totoffice@aol.com
Website: www.tasteoftexas.com
Price: US$35. Wine: US$36.

Vincent’s Restaurant
This busy, family-run Italian restaurant, decorated with warm terracotta tones, is popular with the business community because of its reasonable prices and Downtown location. Vincent’s serves much more than just pasta and pizza and is justifiably well known for its signature dish of wood-fired rotisserie chicken with garlic mashed potato. No lunch Saturday. Closed Sunday.

2701 West Dallas Street
Tel: (713) 528 4313.
E-mail: info@ninos-vincents.com
Website: www.ninos-vincents.com
Price: US$30. Wine: US$20.