Maize Authentic Mexican Restaurant & Bar →

14795 Memorial Houston 77079 346.409.2733 maizehouston.com

Located in the Energy Corridor in the former location of BBItalia, Maize is a new and popular venture of a popular chef from the Xochi-Hugo’s-Caracol group.  The menu is decidedly NOT Tex-Mex and there is a special section that most of you will have never sampled!  This venue is huge, with many small private dining areas, a large friendly bar with adjacent and ample patio seating.  Valet parking next to the door and free parking across the street. Maize is definitely worth the little extra drive out Memorial, as you will see from the menu, which follows.  Oysters  * On the half shell w jalapeno & lime  * Grilled w chile de arbol butter, onion, bread crumbs  * Appetizers  *  Ceviche rojo-red snapper, guajillo pepper aguachile, lime cucumber, avocado, onion  * Tostado de Atun, sliced tuna, cucumber, habanero mayonnaise, onion  * Flautas de Puerco  * Huarache de chorizo, homemade chorizo, blue corn masa, cotija cheese, red tomato sauce  * Sopa de pollo  *  Empanadas de camaron  * Pulpo negro, octopus, potato, avocado, pickled onion, cauliflower  *  Maize seafood tower  *  Maize seafood bowl  (both to share 2-4 persons)  *  Insectos  * Grasshopper, beans, pastilla pepper sauce  * Ant soup, thick tortilla, black beans, ant salsa, avocado  * Tacos de insectos, four corn tortillas, each with a separate insect specialty  * Soup & salad  * Sopa de tortilla, shredded chicken, fresh tomato soup, avocado, tortilla strips  * Roast corn chowder  * Ensalada Invierno, red romaine, apple, squash, pumpkin seed, requeson, pomegranate dressing * Chef Fabian Specialties  * Pollo al carbon  * Bistec a la Mexicana  * Pescado, catch of the day  * Seared scallops  * Cachete de Puerco, confit pork cheeks, yellow pepper adobo, potato, quintonil  * Barbacoa de res, slow cooked beef, habanero sauce, pickled onion, cilantro, fresh corn tortillas  * Enchiladas de pato, confit duck, green tomatillo salsa, Mexican rice, fresh cheese  * Certified Angus beef tenderloin, sauteed mushrooms, roasted potatoes, mole negro, broccolini  *  Roast ora king salmon, corn dumplings, vegetable broth, wilted leaf spinach    

The Barbecue Inn →

116 W. Crosstimbers at Yale Houston 77018 713.695.811 thebarbecueinn.com

Without a doubt one of Houston’s longest running restaurants, this little near north-side jewel opened  in 1946 and has been operated by the same family ever since…that’s 76 years, folks.  This is the quintessential country café in the city, with comfortable booth seating and friendly waitresses who call you ‘Hon’ and who may deliver your order with the plates stacked up one arm.  The customer base appeared to me on a recent visit to be long-established regulars, and easily recognized and welcomed by the service staff.  I decided with difficulty to pass over the barbecue on the menu and order a chicken-fried steak with mashed potatoes and cream gravy, since it had been a couple of years since I had had one at The Broken Spoke in Austin.  Appetizers & Salads  * Shrimp cocktail, regular or large  * Shrimp salad  * Potato salad  * Cole slaw  * Lettuce & tomato  & Chef’s salad  * Barbecue dinners  * Beef brisket, Sliced pork, St. Louis style ribs, One-half chicken, and sides of baked beans, potato salad, salad, mashed potatoes, cream gravy, green beans, chopped tomatoes, and baked potato  * Mains  * Fried oysters  * Shrimp & stuffed crab  * Seafood platter  * Fried catfish  *  Hamburger/cheeseburger  * Cold boiled shrimp  * Stuffed crab  * Catfish filets  * French fried shrimp  * Chicken fried stead (or chicken breast)  * Desserts  * Lemon meringue pie  * Cheese cake  * Assorted other pies

Handies Douzo →

3510 White Oak Drive The Heights 77007 832.831.0912 www.handiesdouzo.com

This handroll and sushi bar located in a cute little house has bar seating only, and reservations are highly recommended, due to limited space. Once seated on your stool, you will be offered the freshest of the fresh sashimi, hand rolls, and crudo, either a la carte or in various combos. Genial, friendly, and fun.

Zoa Moroccan Kitchen →

6700 S Rice Ave Bellaire 77401 832.767.0196 www.zoamoroccan.com

This cute little spot specializes in Moroccan dishes and they are served either by bowl or sandwich. The bowls have a base (your choice) of cous cous or saffron rice, and then the customer moves down the line like at Pokeworks or Subway and the attendant adds to your bowl from the myriad of condiments you point to. Proteins are beef tagine, lamb meshwi, shrimp, kefta beef meatball, potato cake (vegetarian), or chicken chermoula. Dips and toppings include eggplant, fava bean hummus, cucumber tomato, cinnamon carrots, sweet potato, garbanzo salad, egg potato salad, mixed olives, roasted shredded beets, and pickled red onion cabbage. Or you can order a pre-planned bowl or sandwich containing pre-selected combinations of the above.

La Tartine de Houston →

1570 S. Dairy Ashford Houston 77077 713.360.6771 www.latartinehouston.com

French desserts, bakery, breakfast, delicious baguettes…serving the Energy Corridor with its numerous French families, La Tartine is a culinary treasure, for Francophiles and for regular Houstonians who enjoy delicious food. Breakfast * Omelettes: au fromage, au vegetarian, au fromage avec prosciutto, au fromage avec poulet, au fromage avec roast beef * Crepes, sweet or savory: a la banana avec chocolat noisettes, au fraises, Suzette, dolce de leche, au fromage * Croissants: egg, cheese, & ham, croque monsieur or madame, waffle & egg benedict * Salads * Nicoise * Greque * La Tartine * Kale * Hot sandwiches: au merguez, au poulet, au steak * Cold sandwiches: traditional beurre jambon, caprese, turkey, roast beef (sandwiches served on fresh baguettes) * Quiches: Lorraine, vegetarian, au poulet, trois fromages Note for the sandwich/baguette lover: Try le café Josephine in the Heights….202 E. 20th 77008 Baguettes: poulet Classique, Moroccan meatball, crab & shrimp, fig & Brie, Breakfast, Capri, lobster, Philly cheesesteak, falafel, fried chicken, turkey-ham-Swiss, spicy Moroccan tuna

Loro Asian Smokehouse →

1001 W. 11th The Heights Houston 77008 713.930.2326 www.loroeats.com

This brilliant new restaurant housed in a converted church is a joint venture of the owners of Franklin BBQ and Uchi! The result is an exciting menu with lots of (tasty) surprises. Dine inside or on the patio. Order at the bar and your meal will be brought to your table. Dishes made for sharing. Bar food * candied kettle corn * wonton chips & dip * smoked salmon dip * Snacks & veggies * crunchy sweet corn fritters * oak grilled snap peas * kale & Asian pear salad * crunch cabbage salad * coconut scented rice * curried brisket rice * tomato & cucumber salad * oak grilled zucchini * sesame rice noodles * chicken karaage * Meats * Malaysian chicken bo ssam * smoked prime bavette * smoked turkey breast * smoked baby back duroc pork ribs * smoked beef brisket * oak smoked salmon * char siew pork belly * Sandwiches-made from the above meats * Rice bowls: crispy Szechuan tofu * char siew pork belly * curry marinate shrimp * Malaysian chicken curry * oak smoked salmon * Sweets * chocolate chip cookie

Clarkwood Wine Bar & Cocktails →

3201 Allen Parkway (Next to Ellio Fine Art) Houston 77019 Email clarkwoodhtx.com

This elegant and packed little spot caught my eye on leaving an opening at Ellio Fine Art, so I popped in for a nightcap and to ogle the beautiful people. The menu is comprised of Wines By the Glass; Cocktails; House-curate shots; and Beer. An elegant little spot, patronized by what appeared to be 20- and 30-something stylish residents of Montrose and The Heights. A cool little place to put on your list.

Kenny & Ziggy’s New York Delicatessen →

1743 Post Oak Boulevard (New location: former Luby’s) Houston 77056 713.871.8883 kennyandziggys.com

This Houston tradition seems three times larger in its new location, and at noon recently there was a wait for a table, although service was very prompt once seated. The place is a hubbub of activity, from the full service bar to the well-stocked bakery cases. The menu proclaims “Life is unpredictable EAT DESSERT FIRST”. The operation runs like a Swiss watch and with the large numbers of regulars, the longtime staff, and pleasant frenzied feeling, it is easy to imagine being in…Manhattan. The walls and rafters are festooned with theatrical posters and celebrity caricatures, and there is something happening everywhere in the room to reward your senses. The menu is immense, so WARNING! We only have room here to give you a hint at its array of selections. Breakfast served all day * Blintzes * pancakes * French toast * Blueberry cheese pancakes * Hungarian apple strudel pancakes * Blintz-stuffed French toast * Schnitzel & waffle tower * Power Quinoa bowl * Egg-stravaganzas: omelette, any style * Roumainian w steak & eggs * Ladino breakfast tacos * Nova lox, eggs, onions * Corned beef hash * Wide choice of breakfast meats * Appeteasers * Hungarian stuffed cabbage * Sweet & sour meatballs * Gabriela’s Coney Island * Whitefish salad * Matjes herring * Gefilte fish w horseradish * Grilled portobello mushroom sandwich * Souper performers * Delicious chicken soup with: Matzoh ball, noodles, or rice * Lox, stock, & bagel * Platters, w sable, whitefish, lake sturgeon, pickled herring, matjes herring, baked salmon, nova lox, pastrami lox * Sandwiches * Brisket, roast beef, or turkey * Triple decker club w bacon * Dip Tracy (French dip) * South Philly Cheese steak * Meat loaf sandwich * Schlepy Joe * Grilled cheese * Frankly speaking * All-beef franks, Da Bronx, Slaw & Order, Sweet & Saucy, Franks for the memories * Sandwich stars (huge, and on your choice of a variety of deli breads) * Corned beef & pastrami * Chopped liver & pastrami * Beef, turkey, & Swiss * Corned beef on a potato knish * Swiss, turkey pastrami, melted Swiss, Cole slaw, Russian dressing * Anything grows (salads) * Chef * Club * Genghis Cohen’s Chinese Chicken * Kale & quinoa * Balinese * Chopped w romaine * Salami, provolone, grilled chicken, tomatoes, avocado, bacon, blue cheese, cucumber, red onion, balsamic vinaigrette * Black raspberry walnut chicken * Dinners * Hungarian beef goulash * Braised Franken short ribs * Old fashioned meat loaf * Chopped prime sirloin * Prime beef short rib stroganoff * Chicken schnitzel cutlet * Alfie Solomon’s fish & chips * Fannie’s snapper * Knockwurst specials * Apricot soy glazed salmon * Fancy schmancy burgers * The big Rubowski * Max’s Budapest burger * In queso emergency! * Desserts * Boston cream cake * Key lime pie * Apple pie * Hot fudge Sundae * Orange Dreamsicle float * Chocolate 7 layer cake * World’s largest chocolate éclair….You get the picture: everything is pleasurable excess!

Railway Heights Market →

401 Franklin Street 8200 Washington Avenue (north of I-10) Houston 77007 713.485.4563 railwayheights.com

Overlooking a busy and interesting “wye” railroad track junction, this modern ‘shed’ style building features outdoor patio seating, a future beer garden, one large downstairs drinks and dining facility and a second floor packed with food stalls, little boutique shops, a bar, and lots of people having fun. Pick up your meal from one or more of the stalls and carry it to a table or a stool at the bar. Among the 25 or so food stalls you will find Jani’s Waffles * Drunken Pho * Heads & Tails * Taconano * Mac & Twist * Analogue * Peaky Grinder’s * RH Grocer * Scoop * Tablitas Charcuterie * Puncheon * Margaux Button * Crepes& Sweets * Greedy Chicken * Mykuna * Churrazon * Pierogi Queen * Samosa Haus * Sando’s * Meshiko Sushi * Sit Bar For Dogs-and their humans. Go. Relax. Wander aimlessly around. Buy food that is different for you. Buy an adult beverage. Sit down. Consume. Enjoy. Watch all the people.

POST Houston →

401 Franklin Street Houston 77201 713.999.2550 posthtx.com

This ambitious conversion of the huge Barbara Jordan Central Post Office is partially complete. There is lovely 5 acre landscaped roof garden where you can stroll after dark and admire the amazing Houston downtown skyline, which is just at your fingertips…or, you can take your yoga mat and do your poses in broad daytime. There is a 5,000 Live Nation concert hall in the complex. And there are a number of food outlets, with more to come, since like the Railway Heights Market, this is a place to come and explore. Food outlets now open include G’Raj Mahal * Golfstrommen * Chopn Blok * Andes Café * Thai Kun…and many more.

Stella’s Wine Bar →

1600 W Loop S (In the Post Oak Hotel-Uptown Park) Houston 77027 346.227.5174 thepostoakhotel.com

In the corner of the lobby of the grand ballroom, Stella’s is a new addition to one of Houston’s most highly rated hotels: The Post Oak. Watched over by highly trained sommeliers is one of Houston’s most elegant places for a pre- or post-dinner glass of wine, and if you just want to graze lightly on a wide choice of cheeses, charcuturie, flatbreads, and sliders, Stella’s is the place for you. Tip: the beautiful people, ranging from hot young singles to elegant mature couples, are here and they are dressed to the nines, so don’t show up in your blue jeans with frayed knees and a sweatshirt. Stella’s is an intimate space with patio seating and an indoor seating area, which is surrounded with impressive wine coolers reaching up to the ceiling. Within walking distance of Stella’s are other dining and drinking options within the fabulous hotel itself, and across the way are Willie G’s Seafood and Mastro’s Steakhouse, the latter of which is reviewed today as well. Wines: a complete selection of especially curated fine wines from around the world-by the glass or by the bottle -is available, and the unique wines will be explained and served by knowledgeable servers. Cheese * Redneck cheddar * Green Hill * Lamb Chopper * Drunken Goat * Truffle Gouda Artikaas * Roquefort * Manchego Meat * Bressola, beef salted and cured (Italy) * Prosciutto San Daniele, pig (Italy) * Spanish chorizo, pig (Italy) * Rosette de Lyon, pig (France) * House made duck rillette, duck confit, cornichons * Zesti salami, pig (Canada) * Pata Negra, black pig (Spain) * Little Bites * Marcona almonds * Marinated Mediterranean olives * Hummus & pita * Italian meatballs * Truffle parmesan fries * Sliders * Beef & bacon jam * Fried chicken * Crab cake * Trio of sliders * Flatbreads * Prosciutto, fig, and Gorgonzola * White Margherita * Funghi * Sweets * Tiramisu * Macarons flight * Ice cream or sorbet

Mastro’s Steakhouse →

1650 W. Loop S. (Across from The Post Oak Hotel) Houston 77027 713.993.2500 mastrosrestaurants.com

A shining star in Houston’s Pantheon of steak restaurants, Mastro’s is a very large and active restaurant, with multiple bars, private dining rooms, and lots of action. Mastro’s is popular with out of town hotel guests and locals as well, and it is a Mecca for corporate entertaining and for ‘that special occasion’ for couples. There is an active singles scene at the bars…something for everyone at Mastro’s, and especially good food at this local link in the national Mastro’s chain, which is owned by Landry’s, owners of the adjacent hotel. Wines & cocktails: a full selection * Appetizers * Colossal shrimp cocktail * Sliced Japanese Wagyu * Sushi selections * Bluefin tuna sashimi * Chilled Alaskan crab legs * Lockhart Texas quail knots * Hudson Valley foie gras * Colossal lump crab cakes * Georges Bank sauteed sea scallops * Acme smokehouse smoked salmon * Sushi selections * Hamachi w crispy onions * Veggie roll * Spanish octopus carpaccio * Crispy shrimp & scallop bird’s nest dumplings * Alaska king crab California roll * Soups & salads * Lobster bisque w Cognac cream * Traditional French onion soup * Mastro’s seafood salad * Warm spinach salad w Nueske’s bacon * Steaks & chops * Center cut petit filet 6-8-12 oz * New York strip 16-20 oz * Bone-in Kansas City strip * Bone-in ribeye 22-33 oz * Double cut Porterhouse * Australian rack of lamb * Burgundy red wine braised osso buco * Kobe beef * Japanese A5 wagyu * Seafood * Alaskan halibut * Chilean sea bass * New Zealand king salmon filet * True Dover sole * Palacios blackened red fish * Twin lobster tails * Broiled Maine lobster * Potatoes & fresh vegetables * Lobster mashed potatoes * Gorgonzola mac & cheese * Gruyere cheese scalloped potatoes * Shoestring fried onions * Truffle butter sauteed wild mushrooms * Creamed spinach * Creamed corn * Asparagus * Desserts * Warm butter cake w vanilla ice cream and raspberries * Cheesecake w berries * Mango sherbet * Oh, I almost forgot: take your Platinum American Express Card along, as this is probably the most expensive of Houston’s steakhouses

Postino Uptown Park →

1151 Uptown Park Blvd. Houston 77056 713.965.7929 postinowinecafe.com

If you were like me, you wondered why Starbucks left this location and what business could possibly generate equal or better traffic into this prime corner of the trendy Uptown Park development? Well, now we know, and it is Postino, which unless I miss my guess, will fill the gap left by disappearance of the once boomingly successful Tasting Room-also a wine café. Postino Uptown Park is a large space- divided into different sections-including an inviting patio, a bar, and spacious indoor seating. If the location in The Heights is any indication, this Postino will soon be a hopping ‘meet-and-greet’ Mecca. Appetizers * Olives snack, blend of five different varieties * Meatballs & goat cheese * OMG Grilled cheese, layered gruyere, brie, goat, white cheddar, smoked bacon, and creamy tomato soup dip * Skewers snack, grilled petit filet & chicken skewer, Sicilian garlic yogurt, olive oil * Bruschetta & boards * The Bounty, roasted carrot, cauliflower, broccolini, sweet pepper, blistered Brussels sprouts, roasted artichokes, watermelon radish, spicy marcona almonds, green goddess dressing * Chef’s charcuterie, prosciutto di Parma, Spanish chorizo, salami, truffle burrata, chef’s cheese pick, olive, heart of palm, charred artichoke, blistered sweet pepper, crostini, lavash bread *Paninis * Chicken mozzarella * Nine iron, smoked bacon, roasted chicken, fresh stracciatella, mixed greens, tomato * Roasted turkey * Tuscan tuna * Vegetarian * Half panini, half salad * Salads * Caesar * Hannah’s field salad, kale, quinoa, Fuji apple, apricot, toasted almonds, pecorino stagionato, picked red onion with apple cider mustard vinaigrette * Raspberry chicken salad, pecans, gorgonzola, mayo * Desserts * Chocolate bouchon, vanilla bean ice cream * Crème brulee * Salted caramel sundae * A large assortment of wines and beers are waiting for you at Postino to accompany the light food items, and…it’s about the wine and fellowship at Postino

Original ChopShop →

5018 San Felipe at POB Houston 77056 713.965.7482 originalchopshop.com

This handy little addition to our Galleria area restaurant scene follows in the footsteps of Flowerchild, Mendocino Farms, True Food Kitchen, and numerous other ‘healthy’ restaurants. The Chop Shop menu items are especially varied and delicious. Maybe this tremendously varied ‘lite’ menu will help you keep one of your New Year’s resolutions going (wink!). Sidewalk and indoor seating and a busy takeout operation. Grilled protein bowls: served with roasted broccoli, cauliflower, onion, carrot, mushroom, your choice of brown rice, sweet potato hash, forbidden rice, or quinoa, and the proteins are: Thai coconut chicken; Teriyaki chicken; Sweet soy sesame steak; Spicy Korean steak; Red chili lime shrimp; or green curry tofu * Between bread: Club * Moroccan turkey * Grinder, ham, turkey, soppressata, provolone, mayo, tomato; chicken + prosciutto; chicken + kale; Grilled steak; Tuna salad; Veggie + hummus * The chops (salads) * Kale Caesar * Danish * American * Raw vegetable * Beet * BBQ chicken * Asian * Kale + quinoa * Super fruit bowls + parfaits: Acai bowl, berries, banana, granola, strawberry, shredded coconut; Pitaya bowl, blended with apple juice, pineapple + papaya; PB + Greek yogurt, strawberry preserves, blueberry, banana, granola; Coconut chia pudding * Rise + Shines ( Breakfast 7 days/week from 7AM) * Avocado toast, two eggs over easy, red pepper flakes, tomato, house bread * ABC toast, bacon, avocado, arugula * The brekkie wrap, scrambled eggs, provolone, avocado pesto, choice of turkey, ham, prosciutto, or bacon/arugula * Egg + veggie hash * Zen bowl, scrambled egg, spinach, mushroom, onion, white cheddar, arugula, brown rice * Balanced bowl, grilled chicken or steak, scrambled egg, roasted vegetables, brown rice, avocado pesto w cashew * Abundant Protein shakes + Fresh juices

Fleming’s Steak House →

788 W. Sam Houston Parkway in Town & Country Village Houston 77024 713.827.1120 flemingssteakhouse.com

A large open room and a genial bar in a separate side area welcome the hungry carnivore, whether for corporate entertaining or a special occasion meal. Caring and prompt waitstaff complete the picture, and the menu is not too different overall from the other popular and successful steak houses in our ‘steak town’. Large parties are not uncommon here, but there are ample booths for the more intimate dining occasion. Food and service are of the highest quality at Fleming’s. Starters * Chilled seafood tower * Burrata w prosciutto * Beef carpaccio * Seared pork belly * Crab cakes * Sweet chili calamari * Aji tuna stack * Salads & soup * Wedge salad * Caesar salad * French onion soup * Lobster bisque * Signature steaks * Main filet mignon * Petit filet mignon * Prime New York strip * Certified Angus ribeye * Prime bone-in ribeye * Prime dry-aged ribeye * Prime tomahawk, 35 oz. * Over the top * Seared pork belly * Diablo shrimp * Jumbo lump crab meat * Truffle-poached lobster * Beyond steaks * Double breast of chicken * Barbecue Scottish salmon filet * Miso glazed Chilean sea bass * Chickpea & eggplant croquette * Seasonal featured lobster tails * Sides * Fleming’s potatoes * Baked potato, plain or loaded * Cauliflower mash * Signature onion rings * Mashed potatoes * Sauteed mushrooms * Creamed spinach * Crispy Brussels sprouts * Roasted asparagus * Chipotle cheddar mac & cheese * Desserts & coffee service * Chocolate lava cake * New York cheesecake * Crème brulee * Carrot cake * Key lime pie * Chocolate gooey butter cake * Fresh fruit & Chantilly cream