Pier 6 Seafood & Oyster House →

113 6th Street San Leon, TX 77539 (281) 339-1515 pier6seafood.com

Pier 6 joins Topwater Grill and Gilhooley’s Restaurant and oyster bar in bayside San Leon, and it is quite a high-quality addition indeed. A large and airy restaurant with ample outdoor bay sview patio seating, the restaurant for the moment is open only evenings, and recommends reservations. However, due to its size, patrons turning up unannounced the weekend night I was there were accommodated in short order. A large circular bar near the entrance is super for people watching, and for observing the pert young bartenders busily turning out their fancy drinks. Pier 6 has a “tide to table” mentality, and is owned by a former Gulf coast seafood purveyor who had the urge to open his own restaurant. Oysters are a specialty, and they come baked or on the half-shell. Oysters & crudos * Prestige oysters on the half-shell * Snapper crudo, citrus, capers, & olive oil * Fish dip, hickory smoked red fish, saltines, Crystal hot sauce * Grilled oysters, grated Parmigiana, fresh herb shallot butter * Oysters Rockefeller & Bienville * Crab gratin stuffed oyster * Hot blooded oysters, garlic, Sriracha, & Habanero butter Starters * Tempura fried Gulf shrimp tossed in spicy aioli * Seafood corndog, spicy remoulade * Seafood fondue, Gulf shrimp, blue crab, & spinach Soups & salads * Oyster chowder, leeks, smoked bacon, potatoes, oyster crackers * Lobster bisque * Crab boiled shrimp salad, remoulade, shaved red onions, cucumbers, bibb lettuce, buttermilk dressing Keep it simple * Grilled redfish, chimichurri sauce * 16 oz. ribeye, garlic herb butter Entrée * Pan-seared grouper, veggies * Crispy red snapper, shrimp etouffee, popcorn rice * Pier 6 burger * Crab cakes * Cowboy rib-eye, blue crab au gratin potatoes & grilled asparagus * Tide to fried, seafood platter Dessert * Coconut banana mousse * Strawberry crumble w vanilla ice cream

Hurricane Tita’s Bar & Grill →

222 W. Bayshore Drive, Oak Island, TX 77514  (South of Anahuac and near Double Bayou) (409) 252-3288 oakislandresort.net

For me, discovering without any referral a new and fun dining experience is pure entertainment.  Sometimes you strike out, but that is ok.  During this summer’s weekends, exploring the entire west and then east sides of Galveston Bay has been a lot of fun, and some unique discoveries have been made…not all meriting being reported here.  Hankamer recently discovered this hideaway spot, located on Double Bayou, with ample help from GPS.  Hurricane Tita’s is part of a little ‘resort’ including a small motel and a dock, where boaters can tie up for a drink or a meal.  The Bayou flows into Trinity Bay, on the far northeast side of Galveston Bay.  On the north side of  Anahuac south of I-10, you can stop at a nature preserve and walk through the ecosystem, and then, passing into the town, you can drive through a bayside park and see the site of Fort Anahuac, which was a customs post during the time Texas belonged to Mexico, and some claim a violent altercation here was actually the first skirmish of the Texas War of Independence.  After your meal, you can continue south to High Island and visit the amazing Bird Sanctuary (nationally famous) and then continue south to the Bolivar Peninsula, and take the ferry to Galveston, returning to Houston via I-45.  Reaching Tita’s, we took a table on the water, where signs indicated alligators can be spotted swimming lazily about.  Appetizers:  * Battered and fried strips of jalapeno  * Crisp breaded whole mushrooms  * Boudain balls  * Shrimp cocktail  * Samplers featuring all the above  Sides:  * Hush puppies  * Fried pickles  * Onion rings  * Tater tots  * Fries  * Garden salad  * Shrimp avocado salad  * Grilled chicken salad  Pizza:  * Numerous varieties  Burgers & Sandwiches:  Tropical storm burger  * Jalapeno burger  * Chicken fried steak sandwich  * Catfish or shrimp sandwich  * Philly cheesesteak sandwich  Down home cooking:  Hamburger steak  * Grilled chicken breast  * Chicken fried chicken  * Chicken fried steak  Seafood:  Hurricane platter, shrimp, catfish, stuffed crab, stuffed shrimp, breaded mushrooms, hush puppies, stuffed jalapeno, fried onion & jalapeno strips, fries or tater tots  * Shrimp dinner  * Catfish dinner *  Stuffed crab dinner  * Seafood combo  * Fish/shrimp tacos

Seahorse Bar & Grill →

 310 Ocean Avenue, Surfside Beach, TX  77541  (979) 239-2233 oceanvillagehotel.net/seahorse-bar-grill/

Sit on a high wooden balcony looking straight down on the sand, with a Gulf wind blowing gently across your table.  Watch the families and kids play in the surf on this lovely long beach.  Sip your favorite cocktail.  The big city seems far away (only one hour right north on Hwy. 288).  Dig in to this typical Texas beachfront seafood menu (you passed over the shrimp boats when you came on the high bridge over the Intercoastal Canal).  Appetizers:  * Beach bites, jalapeños stuffed w seasoned crabmeat  * Bottomless chips & salsa  * Full loaded nachos  * Shrimp boil  * Santa Fe eggrolls  * Fried calamari w/ warm marinara  Salads:  Southwest salad  * Chicken avocado salad  * Caesar w/ upgrades of chicken, beef fajita, or shrimp  From the Grill:  * Gulf snapper  * Texas redfish  * Blackened catfish  * Grilled chicken  * Grilled pork chop  * Snapper New Orleans  * Wild gulf shrimp  * Gulf shrimp etouffee  * Cajun catfish etouffee  * NY strip steak  * Grilled Mahi  Fried Seafood:  * Fried gulf shrimp basket  * Yankee fish & chips  * Fried oyster basket * Coconut shrimp  * Southern fried catfish  * Treasure chest-shrimp, oysters, & catfish filets w/Cole slaw  Burgers & chicken: *  Island burger  * Texas patty melt  * Fiesta burger  * Heatwave burger  * Bluewater burger  * Mushroom Swiss burger  * Big Kahuna  * Kickin’ chicken  * Chicken fried steak  * Island chicken  * Chicken tenders Sandwiches:  * Grilled or fried shrimp po boy  * Beach BLT  * Fried oyster po boy  * Chicken salad po boy  Tacos:  * Shrimp, Grilled chicken, Fish, Beef fajita, Veggie, Ground beef  Desserts:  * Chocolate eruption  * Key lime pie  * NY cheese cake  Kids menu:  * Chicken tenders  * Corn dog  * Fish ‘n’ chips  * Grilled cheese  * Fried shrimp

Kirby Ice House (new location) →

1015 Gessner at I-10, Houston, TX 77055 713.524.2750 kirbyicehouse.com

*For information only, since just as we write this, bars have just been closed again*  This new location, across I-10 from Memorial City Mall and Medical Center, has ample surface parking, and is a bright and fresh new iteration of the original Kirby Ice House on Eastside St.  The new location has more inside seating than the first location, and includes a large dog-friendly outside beer garden space as well.  A very long and straight bar dominates the indoor section, and food is provided by ever-changing food trucks.  When the new Kirby Ice House opens, this will be an appealing and popular hang-out for Memorial and Spring Branch residents, and a super place to watch your favorite sports, since large screens abound.  Ceilings are high and there is lots of air circulating, since the large door separating the inside from the outside stays up and open.

Bayou City Seafood & Pasta →

4712 Richmond Avenue, Houston, TX 77027 713.621.6602 bayoucityseafood.net

We reviewed this wonderful Louisiana-leaning restaurant thirteen years ago, but it warrants an update, having moved into its large contemporary new space a few doors down from the much-revered original location.  A favorite among the oil & gas community (they were the eager market that ‘brought’ Louisiana cooking to Houston in the mid ‘70s by eagerly patronizing the legendary Don’s on Post Oak), Bayou City specializes in a broad variety of seafood on its menu, generous portions, and very prompt delivery of your selection to your table.  And the prices are right.  Power Lunch Specials daily-$14.99: Select one: Crawfish * Catfish * Oysters *  Shrimp *  Snapper * Scallops * Chicken breast * Shrimp salad * Grilled chicken salad * Seafood Caesar salad * Shrimp creole * Chicken creole * Shrimp or crawfish etouffee * Crab cake Dijon & veggies * Blackened catfish w Jambalaya * Red beans & rice, w catfish pieces. Po Boys: ½ w bowl of gumbo * Alligator * Crawfish * Shrimp * Oyster * Catfish * Blackened Catfish * Blackened chicken. Burgers & Sandwiches: Chicken sandwich * Crab cake burger * ½ lb. Hamburger * Turkey burger  Appetizers: Boudin  * Alligator  * Fried pickles  * Fried calamari * Fried mushrooms * Spicy Cajun chicken fingers * Crabmeat stuffed mushrooms * Stuffed jalapenos w crabmeat  Gumbo & bisque: Seafood gumbo * Chicken & sausage * Crab bisque * Crawfish bisque  Salads: Various, adorned w your choice of seafood or chicken * Greek   Fresh fish specialties:  Catfish * Snapper * Stuffed snapper * Salmon * Ahi tuna * Flounder * Stuffed flounder  Cajun toppings:  REM * Etouffee * Pamela * Courtbouillon  House specialties: Frog legs * Chicken breast * Crawfish fettucine * Seafood courtbouillon * Seafood platter * Snapper Courtney  Pasta Specialties: 14 dishes featuring multiple pasta types garnished w your favorite seafood & tantalizing combinations of spinach, asparagus, artichoke hearts, tomatoes, mushrooms, onions, broccoli, basil, garlic, Alfredo or marinera sauce

Fountain View Fish Market →

2912 Fountain View, Houston, TX 77057 713.977.1436 Website

This is actually a family owned fish market that also serves fresh fried fish and shrimp and oyster platters and stuffed crab with eggroll, onion rings, Cole slaw or fries.  Platters from $6-11.  It has been open for 35 years or more.  The fish and shrimp are literally right off the boat.  Very limited seating, and very popular for many years.

Christie's Seafood & Steaks →

6029 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77057 713.978.6563 christies-restaurant.com

I called Monday ten days ago and ordered a fish sandwich to go.  “Hi, this is Maria.  We are closed Monday and Tuesday but if you can come by in half and hour, I will make you one.”  Wow!  I declined out of respect, but Maria set a new standard in customer service and I told her so this week when I picked up my sandwich, on a day they were open.  Christies started as a seafood stand on the beach in Galveston over 100 years ago (!) and maintains a thriving business on busy Westheimer to this day.  The reduced to go menu changes daily, but here are some samples:  * Large Greek Salad  * Shrimp gumbo  * Catfish po-boy  * Bacon cheeseburger  * 1917 famous fish sandwich (an entire fish)  * Fried shrimp or catfish  * Spicy blackened shrimp Alfredo  * Chicken meal for 4  * Wine and beer by the bottle

Katie’s Seafood House →

2000 Wharf Road (overlooking the port near the Tall Ship Elissa) Galveston 77550   409.763.5688  katiesseafoodhouse.com

What could be nicer on one of our pleasantly mild winter days than to take a drive down to the port of Galveston and enjoy absolutely fresh Gulf seafood while looking at the water, AND at the very boats which brought in your catch that morning?!  Katie’s has several shrimp and fishing boats in its fleet and the waitstaff can even match your meal with the individual boat that caught it, if you wish.  *  Texas shrimp boil  * Pecan-crusted fish cakes  * Crab cakes  * Oysters on the half shell  * Mexican shrimp cocktail  * Seafood campechana  * Coconut shrimp  * Snapper ceviche  * Cobb salad  * Savory shrimp Louie  * Greek Fisherman salad  * Seafood gumbo  * Seafood quesadillas  * Shrimp burgers  * Fisherman’s Po-boy  * Fish sandwich  * Shrimp burger slider  * Fish tacos  *  Seafood nachos  *  Pizza campechana  * Snapper throats & fried oyster basket  * Fried fish & shrimp basket  * Broiled fish  * Shrimp & fish fettuccine * Katie’s seafood market basket  * Chicken fried chicken  * Grilled chicken & noodle bowl * Southern pork chop & mash   Beverages: A bar with high stools for those Old Salts who want to sample the libations and listen to and watch the seagulls soar, as well as table service for your favorite cocktails, beer, and wine

Eugene's Gulf Coast Cuisine (Formerly Danton's) →

1985 Welch St. Houston 77019 713.807.8883 eugeneshouston.com

When Danton’s Montrose location was sold, they moved to the former Mockingbird’s location, and changed their name to Eugene’s…lots of name changes but the wonderful cuisine served for years has not changed.  Cozy and warm surroundings, nice bar, and attentive service.

*Oyster shooters: Buffalo Bayou, layered w cocktail sauce, Lea & Perrins, Tabasco, horseradish, & fresh squeezed lemon, topped w cold Tito’s vodka  *Seafood gumbo, dark roux-shrimp, crab claw, oysters, w side of rice  * Corn & crab bisque, fresh cut corn, green onion, & jumbo lump crabmeat in cream-based soup  * Oyster stew, cream celery, green onion, & spices  * Redfish or catfish filet, grilled over oak & hickory, broiled or blackened  * Gulf oysters, Atlantic sea scallops, or Combo Platter  * Angus beef filet or ribeye, or Surf & Turf  * Stuffed redfish, blue crab claw stuffing  * Stuffed shrimp, fried or broiled  * Shrimp creole, onions, bell peppers, celery, & garlic in spicy tomato sauce  * Seafood Courtboullion, fresh fish, oysters, shrimp, green onion, bell pepper, celery, garlic sautéed in rich spicy roux based sauce  * Red beans & rice, Andouille sausage over white rice  * Blackened catfish enchiladas  * Pecan crusted rainbow trout  * Shrimp etouffee  * Shrimp & grits Montrose, large shrimp bacon-wrapped over roasted poblano cheese grits  * Key lime pie, Pecan ball w chocolate sauce, Peanut butter ice cream, Crème brulee, White chocolate bread pudding, Buddy’s chocolate cake

Topwater Grill

815 Avenue O San Leon, TX 77539 (Gulf Freeway to Dickinson, left on Hwy 517 to San Leon) 281.339.1232 topwatergrill.com

This traditional Texas bayside fish house will cook your catch or provide and cook the seafood for you. Pelicans and seagulls soar outside as you watch shrimp boats trolling and the maritime action far away as seagoing ships cross Galveston Bay. Hot & spicy crabmeat stuffed jalapenos * Bacon-wrapped shrimp and oyster * Calamari rings * Boudin Balls * Camarones Ranchero * Cold Boiled Shrimp * Crab Cake * Oyster bar: Rockefeller, Grilled, Diablo, Au gratin, Raw * Seafood Gumbo * Lobster Bisque * Whole stuffed Flounder * Chili Pepper Redfish Deluxe * Traditional Seafood Platters, fried or grilled * Pecan crusted Red Snapper * Mississippi Catfish Crawfish Etouffee * Grilled Shrimp & Scallops * Shrimp Brochette * Cajun Oysters * Seafood Po-Boys & Pastas * Ribeye Steak * Chicken Marisco * Blackened Chicken * Key Lime Pie * Blueberry Bread Pudding * Pecan Pie a la Mode

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Loch Bar

4444 Westheimer Houston 77007 832.430.6601 lochbar.com

Along with its affiliate Ouzo Bay next door, Loch Bar reaches a high standard of elegance in its décor, as well as in its menu. And yes, dust off that platinum card in your wallet or purse. Like the myriad of high-end steak houses around town which cater to the expense account corporate and the well-heeled local diner, Loch Bar delivers the utmost seafood experience. Live music nightly. Soup and salad: Chicken & sausage gumbo, andouille sausage, applewood smoked bacon, chicken; Maryland crab, mixed vegetable medley, purple potato, aromatic broth; Cream of crab, jumbo lump meat, leeks, cream, sherry; Herbs & lettuce, mesclun mix, basil, celery hearts, chives, tarragon, truffle vinaigrette; Chopped Cobb, romaine, bacon, egg, heirloom tomato, radish, roasted corn, avocado, blue cheese, pumpernickel croutons, buttermilk ranch dressing. Hot appetizers: Cajun cauliflower, battered bites, creole mustard; Fried pickles, bread & butter, buttermilk dressing; Fried oysters, served with old bay remoulade; Oysters Rockefeller, creamed spinach, fennel, Pernod, parmesan cheese; Grilled oysters, maître d’ butter Skirt steak lettuce wraps, iceberg cups, Korean bbq marinade, cucumber, daikon kimchi, samjang dipping sauce; Chesapeake crab dip, blue crab, artichoke, white cheddar, gruyere, smoked gouda, celery, carrots, & baguette; Fried lobster sliders, mango chutney, arugula, crispy pancetta, dijonaise, parker house roll; Moules frites, garlic white wine. Seafood towers, three sizes. Caviar. Cold appetizers: Deviled eggs, bacon, chives, truffle; Gravlax carpaccio, smoked, sour cream & onion crème fraiche, pickled red onion, oreganata bread crumbs; Yellowfin tuna poke, avocado, scallion, soy ginger dressing, radish, chili oil; Leche de tigre scallop ceviche, coconut milk, finger limes, salsa verde granita. The Tank: Saint Arnold’s fish & chips, tartar sauce, English pea puree, cold macaroni salad, boardwalk fried; Maine lobster roll, chives, toasted bun, spring salad or hand-cut fries; Maine diver scallops, pea puree, leeks, chanterelle mushrooms, bacon espuma; Grilled red snapper, Cajun spice, basmati rice; Viet Cajun peel & eat shrimp; Maryland crab cakes, mixed baby greens, old bay remoulade; Live Maine lobster, drawn butter; Eastern shore fried chicken, fries & pasta salad.

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The Flying Fish

 1815 N. Durham (Heights area) Houston 77008 713.377.9919 flyingfishinthe.net

The first of two affordable and casual small local restaurants serving The Heights, The Flying Fish’s amazingly large menu offers Cajun and creole and just plain American seafood favorites. Self-serve at the counter saves an extra 15% off your bill, which adds up over a year. Patio seating is inviting on a cool day or evening. And then there is the downright homey atmosphere. Eat in, or to go. Starters: Crawfish chowder; Seafood gumbo; Lobstah (I mean lob-ster) stew; Crispy calamari. Cool cocktails: Shrimp; Ceviche; Mexican cocktail. Grilled salads: Salmon salad; Catfish salad; Chicken salad; Shrimp salad. Baskets: Catfish; Oysters; Chicken strips; Frog legs-all baskets served with fries and hush puppies. Southern favorites: Grits and gumbo; Jambalaya. Grilled plates: Catfish; Rainbow trout; Salmon filet; Shrimp ka-bob w beans & rice; Grilled chicken; Grilled veggies. Boiled platters: Snow crab legs w corn & new potatoes; Chilled boiled shrimp; Hot boiled shrimp; Mud bugs in season. Snapper Veracruz: fried whole snapper w rice, veggies, Veracruz sauce. Fish tacos, Poor Boy Loaves, Burgers & Fries…self-explanatory. Additions: Cole slaw; Pickled green tomatoes; Jalapenos; Fried okra basket; Beer battered onion rings; Borracho beans & rice; Green beans; Grilled squash & zucchini. Desserts: Key lime pie; Fried pies; Banana and bread puddings. Drinks: Beer, wine, frozen margaritas.

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