maryanntex's Profile
Menil collection area?
Indika on Westheimer is a wonderful Indian restuarant with a number of vegetarian choices. Also, Ruggles Green on Alabama has several vegetarian options and is good for lunch or a casual dinner. The parking there is a problem, and I'd advise getting there very early (11:15-11:30) or very late (2) for lunch. You can check out reviews on www.b4-u-eat.com Both are close to the Menil.
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Indika
516 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006
Ruggles Green
2311 W Alabama St, Houston, TX 77098
Houston - Help with Dining Recommendations!
I agree with bornie for the most part, but am definitely not a fan of Irma's. I loved it ten years ago, but think it is overpriced and ho-hum now. For breakfast or lunch downtown, try El Rey at 233 Main. I haven't been to that location, but the one on Washington is wonderful. Good breakfast tacos, fresh squeezed orange juice, lemonade, fish tacos, chicken tortilla soup, ropa vieja... Downtown for lunch, Beck's Prime (in the tunnel) for burgers is good. Mai's vietnamese is good and not expensive and generally in the downtown area. Nidda Thai is great, and not too far from downtown, although not in walking distance. For sure make a visit to Spec's Warehouse at 2410 Smith. It is a wine-beer-liquor-grocery-sandwich-all kinds of stuff store and is HUGE. It is the first place I take visitors.
Engagement Party Locations in Houston
Ouisie's is the first place I would check. I have attended several parties there of the type you're describing. Other possibilities are Nino's and Maggiano's, but Ouisie's would be my first choice.
Houston: How are the other Ninfa's?
The Laurenzos own the two El Tiempos. They are no longer associated with any of the Ninfa's. The mother of the executive chef at the original on Navigation used to be a cook at that restaurant when Ninfa owned it, so there is some history there. The other Ninfa's are operated by licensees who use the Ninfa's name. The original Ninfa's on Navigation is far better than the other Ninfa's, and El Tiempo is, in my opinion, better than the original Ninfa's.
Group dining in Houston
Did you look at the pictures on Ouisie's website of the wedding receptions they've done? It is definitely not casual, and way more upscale than Maggiano's. They don't specialize in Italian food, however, if that's really what you're looking for.
Group dining in Houston
I also say no way to Maggiano's. I went to a reception there recently and was, to put it nicely, totally underwhelmed by the food. You say "at least $50 per person." And "at most"? With wine, cocktail, tax and tip, plus food, $50 can get used up pretty quickly. What about Ouisie's? Or Nino's? I haven't been to Damian's in a while, but always thought it was great.
Restaurant wedding venue
I went to a wedding reception at Public earlier this summer and thought it was wonderful. Food, drinks, atmosphere, service--everything was great. I think you'd be very happy with it.
Lunch with the girls (Houston)
To give an idea of what you like, which restaurants do you usually go to? Do you want to stay in the Galleria or Rice areas, or do you want to go to another part of town? How dressy?
I like Miss Saigon, Prego, and Cafe Rabelais in Rice Village. Also like Ruggles, but it can get hectic. Pico's on Bellaire is a great place to drink margaritas and sit and visit. Barnaby's is also good, but can get hectic unless you go early or late. The newest one on Woodway seems less rushed. Shade is good, too, and more upscale.
Lunch in Houston
What part of town will you be in? Red Onion (Central American more than Mexican) on 290 is great. Teotihuacan is on Airline not far from I-10 and very authentic. They have a great deal on lunch. Pico's is my favorite, but might be a little out of your way coming from Austin. Hugo's is good, but much more upscale than the others.
Houston (around Rice U)- need BBQ and more
The closest place to Rice for BBQ is Goode Company. We love it--been eating there ever since it opened--and it's the first place my kids want to go when they're in town. We love their rice.
My favorite Mexican is Pico's. The kids all like El Tiempo, which is also good. Teotihuacan is great, but might be a little out of your way. I think Irma's is way overrated. It was fabulous 15 years ago, but in recent years, the prices have doubled but not the quality. Hugo's is upscale Mexican, and very good. Another favorite Mexican/Central American close to Rice is Seco's, which has a great Sunday brunch. (The atmosphere is not all that great, but the food is.) I also love Red Onion, which is on Kirby not far from Rice.
Other favorites: Nidda Thai, Shade, Cafe Rabelais, Benjy's. Raven, Mockingbird.
Houston has tons of good restaurants. It is also such an ethnically diverse city that it's hard for me to come up with something that is quintessentially "Houston."
Check out www.b4-u-eat.com for reviews. Put in 77005 or "West University" or "Rice" to see places nearby.
Houston Airport
There are three Pappas restaurants in Terminal E. I've eaten at Pappadeaux Seafood several times, and it's good.
Houston- Coming down from NYC. Your advice please!
Where are you going to be staying? "West of downtown" goes on for miles and miles.
My favorite places for breakfast:
Empire Cafe
Goode Company Mexican
Buffalo Grille
Seco's
Brasil
My favorite margaritas--and favorite Mexican food:
Pico's
Cafe Red Onion is also really good.
I love Nidda for Thai.
We always go to Smoothie Island on Woodway for smoothies, but I don't know that they're worth going out of your way for.
Why don't you check these and other places out on www.b4-u-eat.com and post again if you have questions.
I never hear about locally grown foods that much. Also not sure what you mean by young people's restaurant. Maybe someone else can help you with that. Max's Wine Dive is popular with young people and serves really good bar food, but I wouldn't really characterize it as a restaurant.
Houston - Help In The Heights
How about Jax Grill? I love Jax. Or Raia's Italian Market? El Tiempo? Teotihuacan? There is a Vietnamese restaurant in The Heights on 19th. I have never been there, but have heard it's very good. Check these places out on www.b4-u-eat.com--put in Heights for area of town.
Houston - The best restaurants in Rice Village
All these places are really good:
Raven Grill--Their sweet potato and spinach enchiladas are my favorite.
Prego--Italian
Cafe Rabelais--French
Miss Saigon--Vietnamese
Antica Osteria--Italian
Check out the reviews on www.b4-u-eat.com for details.
Chicago CH Seeking Houston Dining Rec's
Check out the reviews and map the locations for these on b4-u-eat.com.
For Mexican my favorites are Pico's and Teotihuacan. The original Ninfa's (on Navigation) is still good, and definitely a Houston institution. These places are all relatively inexpensive and casual.
For breakfast on Saturday or Sunday, I like Empire Cafe best, followed by Buffalo Grille and Goode Co. Mexican. For a great drive-thru breakfast (or lunch or dinner), I like El Rey on Washington.
I love love love Nidda Thai. Fish in the Garden and the special eggplant.
Niko Niko's (Greek) on Montrose is fun and cheap and casual.
Brasil has good salads and pizza. Good for breakfast, too.
I like Indika, Ibiza, Shade, Mockingbird, and Catalan (although Catalan gets pretty loud) for more upscale but not extremely expensive.
Chicago CH Seeking Houston Dining Rec's
Where will you be staying? Will you have a car? I'm from Houston and not sure what you mean by "heart of the city."
Dining in Houston
I'm not sure what you mean by the Briarpark. Briargrove Park? The Westchase area? Rio Ranch at 9999 Westheimer and Churrasco's at 9705 Westheimer are in that area and are both good. Check out reviews on www.b4-u-eat.com
Texan foodie spots? Help needed from the UK!
http://www.hlsr.com
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo would be a great happening for you to visit. There will be information on the perfromers closer to rodeo time, but for sure there is a barbecue cook-off (in late February, so that may not fit your schedule) and tons of typical Texas outrageous junk food for sale on the midway. Do check out the website. Even though the rodeo food isn't a very good example of Houston food at its best, it is a very fun and different--and very Texas--event for you to consider.
sushi near Hilton Americas in Houston
I can't speak from experience, but go to www.b4-u-eat.com and put in "77002" zip code and "sushi" for type of food. There are 5 or 6 places listed, and reviews for most. Sushi Thai sounds great, but I haven't tried it. Report back if you go.
Good place to get a Cake in Houston?
Does she like chocolate? If so, the very very best is the chocolate mousse brownie cake from Acadian bakery--www.acadianbakers.com--order in advance.
The Acadian Bakers
604. W. Alabama
Houston, Texas 77006
(713) 520-1484
Coming to Houston - Only interested in Tex-Mex or Mexican
James, my favorite thing at Teotihuacan is the snapper gringo. The other fish dishes are really good, too. Recently I've been ordering the chicken enchiladas verdes. My kids love the fajitas.
It's a great place to have a party or family dinner, etc., especially on Monday or Tuesday. Margaritas are cheap those days (not nearly as good as those at Pico's, of course, but much cheaper) and the manager will really work with you to stay within your budget.
Coming to Houston - Only interested in Tex-Mex or Mexican
Our favorites are Teotihuacan and Pico's. And Seco's, where I'm about to go right now. Great corn enchiladas and salmon salad and pollo Moran, etc. Also, for breakfast, I get tacos (and cinnamon coffee and fresh orange juice and flan) at El Rey on Washington. Also good, but Central American, not Mexican, is Cafe Red Onion. Goode Company Mexican has good breakfasts; also, Good Company Seafood has a great Campechana Extra. The original Ninfa's on Navigation is still good, but not the other locations--at least not those that I've been to in the past 10 years. Hugo's is good if you're looking for upscale. Check out these and others on www.b4-u-eat.com.
rehersal supper in Houston
Lenore, where are the out-of-town guests going to be staying? It makes sense to me to have the rehearsal dinner at a place between the church and the hotel. If they're staying in the Galleria area, then you have more options for the dinner. Regardless, Churrasco's has really good food if it is in line with your budget.
rehersal supper in Houston
Lots of rehearsal dinners art held at Maggiano's, which is in the Galleria area like Arcodoro. Another place with really good food that is often used for rehearsal dinners is Ouisie's. It's fairly close to the other two. Rio Ranch at 9999 Westheimer was really good the last time I went there, which was a couple of years ago. It is very close to the location of the church.
To-go in Houston
I get take out all the time, and live generally in the Rice Military area. These places are all in that area or in Montrose, except for Goode Company, which is on the edge of West U. Check out www.b4-u-eat. com for reviews.
Definitely El Rey. You don't even have to get out of your car.
Jax on Shepherd. Salads, fish, burgers, the best quesadillas anywhere.
Niko Niko's on Montrose.
Pronto Cucinino on Montrose.
Mission Burrito on Shepherd--across the street from Jax.
Ziggy's on Alabama.
Goode Company Barbecue
Goode Company Seafood for their Campechana Extra
Barnaby's
Golden Hunan
Shandy's
Paulie's
Cafe Lili on Westheimer
Nidda Thai Cuisine
New to Houston
What does "not a lot" mean? A specific dollar amount would help. Also, what part of town, or does that matter? I love Ibiza--lots of people your age do, too--but it is not cheap. Benjy's in Rice Village is good, too. La Vista on Fountainview is fun, more casual, cheaper, and you can bring your own wine (not sure what the corkage fee is, but it's not much). Last time I was there, my meal was $30, including tip and corkage.
