Brennan’s of Houston →

3300 Smith St. Houston 77006 713.522.9711 brennanshouston.com

Many long-time Houstonians consider Brennan’s to be the queen of Houston’s southern-style restaurants, with its quiet sophistication and faithful New Orleans cuisine. A sister of the original in the Crescent City, Houston’s Brennan’s features a lovely brick patio and bar, perfect for a pre- or post-dinner pause for conversation and conviviality, and chances are you will run into old friends enjoying life alongside. Starter * Snapping turtle soup * Seafood gumbo * Shrimp remoulade * Chili-fried oysters * Buttermilk fried quail beignet * Jumbo lump crabmeat ravigote * Entrees * Eggs Brennan, Benedict & Sardou, poached with Hollandaise sauce * Gulf fish Borgne, crab, oysters, shrimp, parmesan mushroom rice, and creole butter * Simply grilled gulf fish, summer creole ratatouille * Texas shrimp & grits * Truffle chicken Pontalba, Brabant potatoes, bacon lardon, cremini mushrooms, asparagus, Bearnaise sauce * Beef tips Diane * Late summer vegetable enchiladas, roasted tomatillo & lentil salsa, guacamole, jalapeno jack cheese * Grilled filet mignon * Mesquite ribeye Oscar * Boudin stuffed Quail * Redfish on the halfshell * Gulf fish Pontchartrain * Dessert * Creole cream cheesecake * Bananas Foster * Bayou City petit beignets * Lemon meringue pie * Creole bread pudding * Southern pecan pie, dark chocolate & caramel, vanilla ice cream * Brunch is also served-similar menu items

Da Gama →

610 N. Shepherd Suite 520 Houston, TX 77007 281.888.7806 dagamahtx.com

This new casual dining option just in from the owners of Oporto and the former Queen Vic, is situated along a greenbelt and the hiking/jogging/cycling path which runs east-west through The Heights. There is a petanque/bocce court next to the patio. The cuisine is Indian-Portuguese, originating in the Portuguese trading port of Goa on the western coast of India. Small plates are the specialty here, perfect for sharing among your group. Share plates * Yucca croquettes, pimento cheese, tomato neem chutney * Steamed semolina cake, pineapple raita, chutneys, boondi * Chickpea samosa, tomato neem chutney * Three chili paneer, peppers, tomato, crushed cashews, pineapple raita naan * Crispy fried potatoes, roasted cauliflower, canteen curry, aioli, raita * Chickpea-tahini spiced hummus, naan, crudites * Individual plates * Piri piri chicken, grilled, spicy ½ chicken, batatas fritas * Smoked Goanese sausage, roasted peppers, potatoes, greens * Lamb ribs charcoal grilled, canteen curry, green peas * East African style charcoal grilled beef skewer, bullet butter yucca, raita * Grilled lamb kebob, raita, fries * Lamb keema pizza, ground lamb, tomato neem chutney, blue cheese, pickled onions, green peas, mozzarella * East coast oysters-daily selection * Salted cod & potato croquettes, olives, oregano piri piri chutney * Da Gama mussels, canteen curry, white wine, bullet toast & Escabeche do mar, salsa verde marinated octopus, shrimp, crab, fresh fennel * Gulf shrimp, tangy Goan tamarind chili sauce * Banana leaf branzino, whole sea bass wrapped in banana leaves, Goan cafreal, basmati rice * Mun’s chicken curry, braised chicken, tomato coconut milk curry masala * Selection of beers & wines to go with these bold flavors * Desserts * Sponge cake soaked in saffron milk, fresh ricotta, pistachio crumble * Sticky date cake, date, ginger spice, dulce de leche caramel, caramelized banana * Coconut crumble, old monk rum pudding, pineapple marmalade * Mango ice cream, spiced pistachio & parle-g cookie

URBE →

1110 Uptown Park Blvd (former Café Express space) Houston, TX 77056 713.726.8273 urbehouston.com

This wonderful new addition to the Hugo Ortega group of restaurants (Hugo’s, Caracol, Backstreet Café, Xochi, etc.) serves ‘Mexican street food’ in a casual, bright and airy space. A long bar graces one wall and it is my guess this will be a new magnet for the single & mingle crowd. The menu is fun and delicious-no surprise! Platos chicos * Masa pancakes stuffed w pork carnitas, chicharron, refried black beans, salsa verde * Masa cake stuffed with chickpea puree, crema, queso fresco, salsa costena, watercress * Crispy chicken tacos, salsa albanil, crema, queso fresco * Quesadilla * Taco w roasted sweet potato, goat cheese, pumpkin seeds, salso macha, requeson, corn tortillas * Papas bravas, potato wedges, guajillo pepper, chipotle aioli, crema, queso fresco * Guacamole y totopos * Campechana estilo D.F., shrimp, oysters, red fish, octopus, tomato, cucumber, avocado, onion, jalapeno * Ensalada mercado, greens, radish, cucumber, avocado, creamy cilantro dressing, pepita, queso fresco..* Platos Fuertes * Barbacoa, beef cheek and chuck on agave leaf, onion, cilantro, adobo consommé, cactus salad * Huarache, large masa cake shaped like a shoe, carnitas, rajas, refried black beans, salsa verde, crema, queso fresco * Pecho de res, sliced brisket, grilled chambray onions, pickled red jalapeno, refried black beans, salsa costena, flour tortillas, cactus salad * Tacos de pescado, battered fish, refried black beans, chipotle aioli, napa cabbage, corn tortillas * Pollo ahumado, smoked half chicken, salsa albanil, papas bravas * Carnitas, slow-cooked pork, salsa albanil, cilantro, onion, refried black beans, Mexican rice, tortillas

JOEY Uptown →

5045 Westheimer Rd. Suite X-01 (In front of The Galleria in a free-standing building) Houston, TX 77056 346.646.5639 joeyrestaurants.com

This brand new addition to the Galleria dining scene is in a large and bright, open-feeling 10,000 SF space with high windows on all four sides. In addition, there is an outside patio and bar. Owned by a popular Canadian group, the restaurant is one of the first to open in the U.S. Smalls & sharing * Roasted corn guacamole, cilantro, fresh lime, cherry tomatoes, serranos, feta cheese, warm tortilla chips * Hummus, tzatziki, dill, olives, crispy pita * Szechuan tofu lettuce wraps, sweet soy ginger glaze, peanuts, crispy wontons, spicy aioli * Pork dumplings w hot mustard * Korean fried cauliflower, sweet & spicy Korean chili miso paste, toasted sesame seeds * Steak & lobster ravioli, 6 oz top sirloin, lobster, & prawn ravioli, truffle beurre blanc-a decadent share plate for the table * Jumbo crab cake, apple fennel salad, tartar sauce, charred scallion oil Sushi * Sushi cone, tempura prawn, avocado, spicy mayo, tobiko * Seared salmon sushi, umami sauce, shaved serrano peppers * Steak & sushi, tataki-style 6 oz prime top sirloin, ponzu sauce, seared salmon sushi or tuna & avocado roll * Salads * Katsu chicken peanut salad, crispy chicken breast, julienne vegetables, arugula, miso ginger dressing * Farmers market, fresh corn, emerald kale, hass avocado, toasted almonds, aged white cheddar-add chicken or salmon * Sandwiches & burgers * Baja fish tacos * Baja cauliflower tacos * Grilled chicken club * Hand-pressed burger * Mains * Tuna poke bowl, sashimi grade ahi tuna poke, crispy wontons, green papaya slaw, miso dressing, brown rice * Spaghetti pomodoro, Calabrian chili spiked tomato sauce, whipped ricotta, fresh basil, parmesan * Gulf shrimp peanut curry, rice noodles, roasted broccoli * Cajun blackened chicken, full breast, warm potato & bacon salad, creamy coleslaw * Sake glazed Chilean sea bass, wok-fired vegetables, gold potatoes, dashi broth * Steakhouse * JOEY classic steak, 8 oz prime sirloin, fully loaded crispy mashed potatoes, asparagus (or filet mignon, or NY sirloin) * Steak frites, 6 oz top prime sirloin, garlic butter, rocket greens, fries (choice of other steaks) * Bone-in prime ribeye, 22 oz, loaded crispy mashed potatoes, asparagus, peppercorn sauce * Sweets * Individual baked apple pie, hand-folded pastry, toasted almonds, Tahitian vanilla ice cream * Molten chocolate cake, fresh raspberries, Tahitian vanilla ice cream * Warm Italian donuts, vanilla + mascarpone cream, lemon curd

Monument Inn →

14406 Independence Parkway S (formerly Battleground Road), La Porte, TX 77571 (281) 479.1521 monumentinn.com

In the tradition of the long-gone and much-beloved San Jacinto Inn, the Monument Inn carries on the tradition of local bay and gulf seafood in grand style, AND lots more as well, as you will see below! Not a fancy restaurant, but a large and very busy Texas Gulf Coast seafood house, the establishment serves about 80,000 pounds of shrimp and about 25,000 pounds of catfish, crawfish, and other fresh fish a year. A meal at the Monument Inn ties in perfectly with a visit to the Battleship Texas and the San Jacinto battleground and monument, where Sam Houston led a small group of Texans to defeat the Mexican Army under General Santa Anna, and win independence for Texas. You can reach the restaurant via I-10 and the Lynchburg Ferry across the Ship Channel, or you can go via State Highway 225 through Pasadena, and arrive at the battleground from the South. Very casual, very reasonable prices, large portions, and if you see a waiting line don’t panic-it is a huge place and the wait should not be long. Menu * Peel & eat shrimp * Stuffed jalapenos * Fried green tomatoes * Oysters on the half shell * Shrimp or jumbo lump crab cocktail * Fried calamari * Shrimp & oyster en brochette * Fried alligator * Shrimp, chicken, & sausage gumbo * Baked potato soup * Crawfish bisque * Caesar salad * Shrimp, chicken, or club salad * Fish, broiled, fried, or grilled: catfish * Salmon * Mahi mahi * Tilapia * Tuna * Redfish (Add Ponchartrain, Orleans, Monumental, or Creole sauces) * Fried fish: shrimp, catfish, oysters * Stuffed crabs (3) * Combination platter * Shrimp jamboree, shrimp 3 ways * Crab cakes * Chicken tenders * Fried scallops * Popcorn shrimp * Crawfish etouffee * Fisherman’s platter * Shrimp creole * Stuffed whole flounder * Chicken tender basket * Monumental burger * Fish sandwich * Peaux boys * Fish & chips basket * Chicken fried chicken * Pan roasted chicken breast * Chicken parmesan ( all chicken orders include dinner salad, French fries, vegetables, or Coleslaw, & cinnamon rolls) * Ribeye * Chicken fried steak * Beef kabob * Filet mignon * Seafood fettucini * Shrimp scampi * Linguini Baton Rouge * Chicken Alfredeaux

Oporto Midtown →

125 W. Gray, Houston, TX 77019 (713) 528.0115 oportomidtown.us

Having moved to this larger location from its original one on Richmond Avenue near Weslayan, Oporto specializes in “small plates” featuring the wonderful cuisine of Portugal. Oporto is special, and the flavors and variety of dishes is unsurpassed. Prices are reasonable, and so are the wines from the same region which complement so well the dishes. An evening here is best if everyone orders two or three plates and everyone shares, which makes for a fun party. Valet or garage parking, or some street parking nearby. Bar bites * House baked sourdough w herbed oil * Wood grilled bread w tomato pulp & sea salt * Serrano ham * Potato bread topped w chopped Spanish chorizo & paprika butter * Paprika spiced toasted almonds w marinated Cerignola olives * Wood grilled Portuguese sardines w salsa verde, grilled bread, paprika butter * Baked marinated Portobello mushroom w spinach artichoke gratin * Crispy potatoes w spicy tomato piri piri & garlic aioli * Crispy salt cod & whipped potato fritter, piri piri aioli * Crab & avocado crostini, lump crabmeat & sliced baguette * Baked walnut wrapped goat cheese, garlic toast * Marinated hanger steak sandwich, garlic butter, fries * Petiscos plate, serrano ham, salchichon sausage, 2 cheeses, marinated olives, almonds, pickled veggies, olive oil cracker * Baked gigante beans & fideo pasta,kale,oregano, feta * Roasted brussels sprouts, candied walnuts, piri piri, mozzarella & baked * Rigatoni Barcelona w prosciutto, green peas, asparagus, goat cheese, white wine cream * Cataplana mussels, vinho verde wine, garlic butter * Scallop w risotto, cauliflower, caraway seeds * Wood grilled octopus * Portuguese squid fried rice, sausage, jamon, eggplant, chili * Gulf shrimp w whiskey piri piri * Lamb ribs Mediterraneo * Chorizo & clams * Chicken curry empanadas * Lamb-beef meatballs * Seafood curry * London chicken tikka masala * BBQ chicken * Shrimp & crab pizza * Various salads * Caldeirada, rich Portuguese bouillabaisse w snapper, clams, mussels, veggies, Moorish spices * Caldo verde, potato & kale soup * Larger plates * Fork & knife Porto hanger steak sandwich,jamon, chorizo sausage, gruyere cheese, tomato beer sauce, fried * Grilled beef tenderloin, bay leaves, sea salt, veggies, served tableside * Portuguese paella * Oporto is one of Houston’s true culinary pleasures….

Xin Chào →

2310 Decatur Street at Sawyer St. off Washington Ave (in original Beaver’s Restaurant location), Houston, TX 77007 (832) 740.4888 xinchaohtx.com

This sassy brand new little Vietnamese-fusion restaurant is vibrant with its young Washington Ave clientele, and features some very tasty dishes served by attentive staff. Full bar and patio seating. The happy hour food and drink menu is a good bargain if you are an early eater. Starters * Grilled oysters, scallion oil, pork cracklins, roasted peanuts * Viet-Cajun oysters, garlic butter, fried onion, toasted baguette slices * Pork belly bao, fried bun stuffed w braised pork belly, caramelized fish sauce, pickled cucumber * Grilled beef skewers, ribeye steak, lemongrass, palm sugar * Mains for sharing * Braised pork & crispy rice, pickled greens, soft boiled egg * Smoked beef rib flat rice noodles, mushrooms, carrot, Chinese broccoli * Fried whole fish, vinaigrette & sweet tamarind sauce * Flat iron steak, American wagyu, grilled Chinese broccoli * Smoked beef cheek dumplings, spicy sauce, Vietnamese herbs * Soft shell crab, fresh herbs * Smoked duck salad, arugula, purple cabbage, walnuts, ginger fish sauce vinaigrette * Not our Ma’s eggrolls, hand-rolled w pork, shrimp, crab, & fish sauce vinaigrette for dipping * Sweets * Coconut bread pudding * Rubbish apple pie a la mode

Piper’s BBQ & Beer →

2323 N. Shepherd, Houston, TX 77008 (713) 485-5512 pipersbarbecue.com

Located on busy N. Shepherd, Piper’s is a typical Texas BBQ joint…but one with some of the most delicious “cue” in town. Indoor and outdoor seating, with a serving line where you pay at the end. Typical. And the menu is pretty standard. Specialties * Pork sausage * Loaded smashed potatoes * Big Tex, a half-pound each of five meats & fours sides * Beef ribs * Prime brisket * Pork ribs * Pulled pork * Chicken * Sandwiches * Sliced beef * Chopped beef * Pulled pork * Sausage * Turkey * Sides * Baked beans * Cole slaw * Cold or hot potato salad * Mac & cheese * Cream corn * Cucumber salad * Watermelon salad * Desserts * Banana or chocolate pudding * Smoked apple fritter * Selection of beers

NoPo Café Market & Bar →

1244 N. Post Oak, Houston, TX 77055 (713) 804-1244 nopocafe.com

Short for North Post Oak, NOPO Café is a recent offering of the Berg Group, operators of B&B Butchers, The Annie, BB Lemon, etc. It is a fresh new building and it serves a nice and somewhat out of the way neighborhood, with The Awty School being one of its close neighbors. The interior is bright and cheery and patio seating is available. Starters * Foccacio, whipped ricotta w truffle * Italian spinach & cheese dip * Shellfish * Shrimp cocktail * Oysters on the half shell * Crab cocktail * Baked oysters * Fritto misto * Soup & salad * Tomato basil soup * Burrata * Beet salad * Arugula salad * Caesar salad * Pizza * Butcher’s, bacon lardons, pepperoni, chorizo, sausage * Margherita * Prosciutto * Antipasto * Pepperoni * Mushroom * Lump crab * Mains * R.H. Clay salad, shrimp, blue crab, lettuces, hearts of palm, cucumber, jicama, w lemon vinaigrette * Beef ravioli * Red snapper, butternut squash, spinach, salsa verde * Chicken paillard * Pork ribs, potato salad, & coleslaw * Shrimp tagliatelle, tomatoes, spinach, asparagus, EVOO, garlic * Fried chicken sandwich * Steak frites, flatiron steak w green peppercorn sauce & fries * Seared salmon, braised lentils, dill beurre blanc sauce * NoPo burger * Ricotto tortellini * Asian steak salad

Azuma Sushi and Robata Bar →

5600 Kirby Drive, Houston, TX 77005 (Rice Village area) (713) 432-9649 azumasushikirby.com

Part of the group which operates Kata Robata and Somo, Azuma has enjoyed a successful run of twenty years, and is still going strong.  A large variety of Japanese specialties provides a nice dining experience in a comfortable setting.  Due to the vast number of selections on the menu, we only have space here to “scratch the surface!”  Soup & Salad  * Marinated seaweed salad  * Seared peppercorn tuna salad  * Shrimp, octopus, cucumber, & crabstick salad  * Appetizers  * Spring roll  *  Yellowtail, spicy ponzu, diced chili, microgreens  * Kanpachi & foie gras appetizer  * Seabass in ponzu & cilantro  * Seafood ceviche, 7 thinly sliced pieces of seafood w wonton chips & citrus yuzu  * Tuna tartare, mango, avocado, chili sauce  * Chilean sea bass, lightly fried, mushroom variety, snow peas, carrot, green onion  * Crispy duck roll  * Grilled mackerel  * Whole squid, grilled w spicy miso & ginger sauce  * Fried soft shell crab  * Ebi tempura  * Robata tradition  * Beef tongue  * Pork belly  * Grilled yellowtail  * Norwegian fatty mackerel  *  Chicken  * Salmon  * Squid  * Eggplant w sweet miso glaze  * King mushroom  * Combo 10 kinds robata  * Specialties  * Azuma beef  * Hot rock Kobe beef  *  Wasabi braised Kobe  * Chilean seabass entrée  * Pan seared chicken  * Duck ramen  * Donburi & Udon  * Shrimp & vegetable tempura, rice  * Breaded Berkshire pork  * Vegetable tempura entrée * Udon noodle soup, mushroom, fish cake, shrimp tempura  * Specialty rolls  * Crazy Irishman roll  * Hamachili roll  * Lobster roll  *  Naruto roll, king crab, shrimp tempura, mango, cucumber skin  * Samurai, fried oyster, jalapeno, smoked salmon, mayo sriracha  * Diver, soft shell crab, cucumber  * Tokyo, spicy yellowtail, green bean tempura, peppercorn tuna, serrano pepper  * Rolls  * Boston, tuna, avocado  * California  * Caterpillar  * Phoenix  *  Spider  * Shrimp & Avocado  * Spicy salmon  *  Unagi  *  Asparagus  *  Spicy chopped scallop  * Peppercorn salmon  *  New Zealand salmon  * Octopus  * Sashimi  * Flounder  * Egg omelet  * Flying fish egg  * Japanese snapper  * Mackerel  * Whole scallop  * Tuna  * Sweet shrimp  *  Sushi & sashimi combinations  * Many  * Dessert  * Tempura fried ice cream * Crème brulee cheesecake  * Mochi ice cream, chewy rice dough filled w flavored ice cream  * Banana tempura w ice cream, fried banana w fresh berries & ice cream

Fiori →

4315 Montrose, Houston, TX 77006 (832) 729-5594 fiorihtx.com

Yes, “Fiori” means “flowers” in Italian, and that is just what will greet you at the entrance to the restaurant, behind the hostess stand: an explosion of colorful flowers, including tall stems of orchids and many other blooms. Like the delicious items on the menu, the small but vivid arrangements are available for purchase. Fiori’s owner, who stopped by our table on a recent visit, is a genial former banker (over 20 years) from Milano, who followed his dream, assembled an Italian culinary team, and came to Houston to open this little gem of a restaurant. It is located in the strip center owned by La Colombe d’Or owner Steve Zimmerman, and the hotel’s celeb general manager Sergio Ortiz suggested we try Fiori and its authentic dishes from northern Italy, and we were very happy we did. Antipasti * Mussels, lemon, black pepper * Mixed salad w caramelized walnuts, poached pear, blue cheese * Burrata frita, tomato, basil * Cacio e pepe, pecorino romano, fresh pepper * Spaghetti carbonara, guanciale, egg yolk, pecorino romana, black pepper * Artichoke, olive oil, parsley * Prawns, garlic, olive oil, chili flakes * Selection of cheeses & cured meats * Vegetable risotto, scallops * Caprese salad * Secondi * Costolette d’agnello fritte, fried lamb, mixed greens * Saltimbocca / Veal prosciutto, sage * Cotoletta alla Milanese con rucola * Scallops, insalata mista * Branzino alla griglia * Filete di angus * Red snapper w insalata, lemon, pepper, olive oil * Verdura * Patate arrosto * Braised Brussels sprouts * Carote Arrosta * Dolce * Torta chioccolato con gelato * Torta limone con gelato * Crema di marscapone e marsala * Practice your Italian * Park next door at Chase Bank

Bistro Menil →

1513 W. Alabama, Houston, TX 77006 (713) 904-3537 bistromenil.com

Located on the shady, quiet, and relaxing campus of the Menil Museum, the Bistro offers European-inspired American fare, paired with craft beer and wines by the cask, bottle or glass. Lunch, brunch, dinner, and afternoon tea service menus are offered, so we will just take a sampling here-it will be up to you to discover and experience for yourself this delightful oasis of sophistication and casual dining! Starters * Goat cheese provencal * Calamari, crisp, topped w Parmesan * Eggplant fries, anchovy aioli, spicy brava sauce * Truffle potatoes * Cold roasted beet salad * Duck salad * Veggie bowl * Bistro Caesar * Hamburgers * Beef or turkey patty: Manchego cheese; Porcini-rub burger/Goat cheese/Roasted beech mushroom * Pizza * Bianca; Amalfi; La Spezia; San Marino; Umbria; Granada * Entrees * Roasted salmon * Seared lemon-thyme chicken * Crab cakes * Chicken & artichoke crepes * Crisp duck confit * 12 hour beef short rib * Crab & mushroom crepes * Dessert * Lemon tart * Buttermilk blackberry cake * Tuscan lemon almond torte * Basque cheesecake * Caramelized banana & Nutella crepe * Convenient shady parking next to the restaurant

Napoli’s Wine Café →

4601 Washington Ave, Houston, TX 77007 (713) 434-6305 napoliswinecafe.com

The night we stopped in for a family birthday party, there was a tango class in progress with two tango singers and professional and amateur dancers-quite a night…and the food was amazing as well. Large and varied menu, with reasonable prices. Antipasti * Scampi w sundried tomatoes, red onion, kalamata olives, topped w crab meat * Fried calamari * Chicken marsala meatballs * Spinach & artichoke dip * Crab cakes * Tuna tartare * Lobster risotto * Fried mozzarella * Brochette board-choose 4 out of large selection * Boards * Vegetarian * Meats, imported & domestic * Cheeses * Zuppa * Del mare * Di Zucchini * Lobster bisque * Insalata * Organic quinoa * Grilled vegetable * Grilled chicken Caesar * Grilled calamari, shrimp, salmon, or tuna * Signature steaks * Grilled veal chop * New Zealand lamb chop * Filet mignon-8 oz. * Premium Rib-eye-12 oz. * Seafood Grill * Shrimp scampi * Salmon piccata * Red snapper * Carbonara d’Mar * Shrimp fettucini Alfredo * Linguini pescatori * Entrees * Boneless short rib * Eggplant pomodoro * Chicken rollantini a la vodka * Veal marsala * Eggplant, chicken, or veal parmigiana * Veal piccata * Chicken fettucine Alfredo * Chicken pasta Napoli * Lasagna * Spaghetti * Tortellini * Ravioli * Panini & pizza: various * Desserts * Cannoli * Italian cream cake * Carrot cake * Chocolate mousse cake * Convenient parking in the garage behind the restaurant

Segari’s Restaurant & Bar →

1503 Shepherd Dr, Houston, TX 77007 (713) 880-2470 segarisrestaurant.com

This little jewel of a restaurant has served the highest quality seafoods, steaks, and chops for over twenty years. The menu does not have prices-one of the few in Houston. But don’t be afraid-the value is there, and then some. The late founder, Sam Segari, operated outstanding restaurants in Houston – including this one- for about 50 years altogether. Sam has gone to ‘the big restaurant in the sky’, but this operation continues in his same tradition. Evening reservations are a must, as there are only about nine tables! * Appetizers * Seafood & sausage gumbo * Shrimp cocktail * Crabmeat cocktail * Sam’s ceviche, shrimp, salmon, & redfish * Crab claws * Green salad w crabmeat and/or shrimp * Grilled Meat Entrees * Rack of lamb * Filet mignon * Ribeye steak * Pork chop * Chicken breast * Seafood platter * Fried shrimp, oysters, jalapeno fried shrimp, shrimp cocktail, crabmeat cocktail, onion rings-made for two or more * Seafood entrees * Jumbo shrimp-fried, cold, or grilled * Johnny’s crab stuffed shrimp wrapped in bacon * Fried shrimp stuffed w jalapeno & cheese * Angela’s crab cakes w wasabi & tartar sauce * Laura’s sauteed shrimp & crabmeat * Crab claws-fried, cold, sauteed * Fried oysters * Grilled fish entrees * Rainbow trout * Salmon * Redfish (All can be topped w sauteed shrimp and/or jumbo lump crabmeat) * Sides * Mixed sauteed vegetable medley * Rosemary new potatoes * Onion rings * French fries * Desserts * Bread pudding w whiskey sauce * Coconut meringue pie * Key Lime pie * Chocolate mousse * Brownie a la mode

Mandito’s Restaurant & Cantina →

On the Square Round Top, TX 78954 (979) 249-5181 manditos.com

“Little Armando’s” has selected the best from the Tex-Mex food and drink menu at its River Oaks location and is a very popular place in this very popular center of German-Texas, between La Grange and Brenham-about an hour and fifteen minutes drive from West Houston. Round Top is a super-interesting place for a little weekend get-away excursion, for the day or overnight in a charming B&B. There is almost always something going on in this tiny town, population 102: the rollicking 4th of July parade, coming up soon; the several gigantic antique fairs, which draw dealers and customers from all over the U.S.; the music festival; and for me the best of all: Henkel Square www.henkelsquareroundtop.com , the historic village which contains completely restored homes and other buildings from the mid- and late-1800’s… some of them housing smart clothing boutiques, antique stores, and even a pie shop * Appetizers * Chili con queso * Queso flameado * Guacamole * Nachos * Soup & salad bowl * Mandito’s world famous burrito bowl-chicken, ground beef, steak, lettuce, pico de gallo, shredded cheese, avocado, white rice, black beans, & your choice of meat * Tortilla soup * Enchiladas * Cheese, beef, chicken * Suizas, topped w mozzarella cheese, salsa verde, sour cream * Tres hombres, cheese, chicken, & ground beef, topped w chili con queso * Tex-Mex Classics * Burrito * Crispy tacos * Chalupa * Flautas * El Palacio-chalupa, taco, enchilada topped w salsa ranchera * Tacos al carbon * Fajitas * Carne asada, on sizzling skillet * Seafood * Baja tacos, fried fish w red cabbage, chipotle mayo, queso fresco, pico de gallo * Ceviche * Blackened tilapia, white rice & black beans * Breakfast * Chilaquiles * Huevos rancheros * Breakfast taco * Migas * Closed Monday, open Sunday 11-3 *

LFM Nosh/Sip/Shop →

2424 Dunstan in Rice Village (formerly Benjy’s), Houston, TX 77005 (713) 522-7602 localfoodsmkt.com

Local Foods has expanded into LFM, or Local Foods Market, where you can eat, drink, and shop for gourmet foods. Serving fresh and healthy locally-sourced food, LFM is a delight for the fitness- and health-conscious diner. Order at the counter and your food is almost instantly ready. There are multiple locations around town, and devotees are waiting to see what becomes of the former Benjy’s/Classic on Washington Avenue. Appetizers * Cashew queso * Grilled asparagus * Charred TX strawberries * Avocado toast * Twice cooked French fries * Sandwiches * Truffled egg * Crunchy chicken * Banh Mi * Gulf seafood * House-cured & smoked salmon & Avocado BLT * Quinoa burger * HTX wagyu pastrami * Market sides * Housemade chips * Local fruit * Red potato salad * Dill pickle spears * Soups * Classic chicken posole * Kale & white bean * Entrees * The new 50/50 burger, wagyu beef, legumes & grains, white cheddar, pickles ,chopped onions, umami sauce, twice cooked fried * Free range half chicken * Charcoal roasted salmon * Chicken bowl, marinated feta, jammie egg, chimichurri * Salads * Spring harvest * Taco * Asian chicken * Salmon poke * Wedge * Drinks * Strawberry lemonade * Iced black tea * Katz cold brew nitro draft * Honey iced coffee * Desserts * Carrot cupcake * Banana pudding * Fancy peanut butter cookie * Vegan brownie

Acme Oyster House →

1201 Westheimer, Houston, TX 77006 (346) 571-2071 acmeoyster.com

I remember well when the FIRST Cajun restaurant opened in the Houston Galleria area in the mid-‘70s…Don’s, and it was a big hit, thanks to the many oil & gas people who traveled often to Louisiana, and loved the food. Now, Houston joins a few other areas outside of the New Orleans French Quarter to boast an Acme’s Oyster House. Reports are that several days during the opening period Acme ran out of oysters due to the heavy demand. Bravo! When a restaurant runs out of something, that is a GOOD thing, signifying freshness. Alert: Acme is not open Mondays or Tuesdays…. Oysters * Ice cold on the half shell w lemon and spicy cocktail sauce * Oysters shooters, w sauce and vodka * Chargrilled in herb butter sauce, topped w cheese * Appetizers * Craw puppies * Fried oyster remoulade * Fried crab claws * Meat pies * Fried crawfish tails * Boom boom shrimp, fried in homemade sauce * Crab cake, corn maque choux * Fried alligator * boudin Jalapeno poppers * Salads * Wedge * Popcorn shrimp * Popcorn crawfish * Grilled marinated shrimp or chicken * Fried oyster salad * Seafood salad * Caesar salad w choice of seafood * New Orleans Specialties * Seafood gumbo * Chicken & andouille gumbo * Oyster Rockefeller soup * Jambalaya * Acme poopa, French bread filled w your favorite soup, gumbo, or red beans & rice * Red beans & rice w grilled smoked sausage * Butter bean plate w shrimp & tasso over rice-choice of hot sausage, fried fish, smoked sausage, or fried alligator * Po-Boys * Fried oyster, shrimp, fish, crawfish, soft shell crab, ham, turkey, hot sausage, marinated chicken or shrimp, or half & half * Ten napkin roast beef Po-Boy * Platters * Fried half & half, fish, shrimp, oysters * Soft shell crab * Crab cake * Fried seafood * Captain’s platter * Grilled plates * Hamburger steak * Marinated shrimp or chicken * Fish of the day * Tacos * Fried shrimp, oyster, alligator, or boom boom * Desserts * Brownie Sundae * Pecan cobbler w vanilla ice cream * Root beer float * Chocolate caramel pie * New Orleans bread pudding * Bananas Foster cheesecake * Cocktails * Sazerac * Mint Julep * Old Fashioned Gentleman, and many more

Tonight & Tomorrow →

(in the newly reconcepted La Colombe d’Or Hotel)
3410 Montrose Boulevard, Houston, TX 77006 (713) 517-1001 tnthtx.com

The original Fondren Mansion (Fondren, Sr. co-founded Humble Oil & Refining, antecedent company to ExxonMobi) has for many years been a boutique hotel owned and operated by Houston real estate man, Francophile, and bon vivant Steve Zimmerman. Steve owns a second home in St.-Paul-de-Vence, France, across from the long-celebrated original La Colombe d’Or restaurant, frequented for decades by the likes of Picasso and many other French artists, writers, intellectuals, and just plain discerning tourists. Houston’s La Colombe d’Or (the Golden Dove) has just gone through a ten million dollar renovation which includes a glittering Hines apartment tower on the grounds. Tonight & Tomorrow is the hotel’s gourmet restaurant. Starters * Vadouvan curry carrots, labneh, pesto, candied pecans * French onion soup, Comte cheese * Beets & carrots, walnut butter, golden raisins, mint, bee pollen * Caesar salad * Kale salad * Crab ravigote * Gulf crudo, raw catch, leche de tigre * Shrimp cocktail, remoulade, Mexican style * Salmon gravlax carpaccio, w traditional garnish * Cheese & charcuterie, pickled vegetables, nuts, crackers * Caviar service, traditional garnish * Entrees * Lamb rack * Pork Coppa * Steak frites – prime filet or bone-in ribeye * Bucatini, asparagus, heirloom tomatoes, squash, pistou *Market fish * Red Snapper * Crab a la meuniere * Sides * Roasted asparagus * Carrots w salsa verde * Creamer pea fricassee * Homestead grits * Mustard smashed potatoes * Wine, beer, and cocktails available * Take your platinum Amex along *

D’Amico’s Italian Market Cafe

5510 Morningside Drive (Rice Village), Houston, TX 77005 (713) 526-3400 damico-cafe.com

For 46 years the D’Amico family has had at least one restaurant operating in our area. The current one, which combines a restaurant and a full Italian deli, has been serving happy customers for twenty years, and is in the hands of Nash D’Amico and his lovely daughter Brina. Appetizers * Antipasto all’Italiana, risotto balls, grilled eggplant, fried zucchini, roasted red peppers, grilled vegetables, imported meats & cheeses * Calamari * Crab claws * Fried cheese ravioli * Fried crawfish ravioli * Tomato & goat cheese bruschetta * Steamed mussels * House favorites * Chicken Romano * Chicken Braciolentini, rolled stuffed breast w Italian sausage, cheese, spinach, fresh basil in a brown lemon butter sauce, linguini marinara * Parmesan, eggplant, chicken, veal, or shrimp w choice of spaghetti or fettuccini Alfredo * Eggplant Bolognese, breaded w veal sauce, sauteed spinach & spaghetti * Vegetable plate * Chicken or veal piccata * Chicken or veal Marsala * Stuffed poblano peppers, crabmeat, shrimp, ricotta cheese, shallots, garlic, in lemon butter white wine sauce, served w linguini * Risotto di Gamberi, jumbo shrimp w Shitake mushroom sauce * Snapper D’Amico * Grilled salmon * Osso bucco, served over steamed Arborio rice & sauteed spinach * Salads * Caesar * Grilled chicken Caesar * Caprese * Crab & avocado * Bubba * Marilyn * Mediterranean * Pasta * Spaghetti w meatballs or sausage * Gnocchi, w choice of chicken, sausage, or shrimp * Rigatoni Carmine, w Italian sausage, broccoli, Roma tomatoes, garlic * Linguini w clam sauce * Pasta pomodori * Penne asparagus * Linguini diavolo, shrimp, mussels, squid, crab claws, anchovies, green olives in a spicy marinara sauce * Pappardelle pesto, sauteed shrimp w flat egg pasta tossed i fresh basil pesto, pine nuts, fontinella cheese * Traditional meat lasagne * Cheese ravioli * Tortellini Genovese, spinach pasta w pancetta and mortadella in Alfredo sauce, prosciutto, & green peas * Pizza * Numerous delicious varieties * Sandwiches * Subs-Italian, Sausage & peppers, Parmesan w eggplant or chicken * Muffaletta * Hoagie po-boy * Corleone panini-turkey, provolone, lettuce, & tomato* Sicilian panini* Chicken avocado panini *

Ostia →

2050 Dunlavy St, Houston, TX 77006 (713) 324-9288 ostiahou.com

Located in a brand new contemporary “shed” type building with an indoor-outdoor feel, ample patio, and exhibition cooking, Ostia has come onto Houston’s culinary scene and has created lots of buzz…and rightly so. Sporting a full bar and a nice wine selection, Ostia prepares Italian/Mediterranean cuisine, with homemade pasta, olive oil, fresh vegetables, cheeses, fruits, cheeses, and lemon juice among some of the predominant flavors. From the craft cocktails coming from the bartenders to the studied refinement in each dish, Ostia ranks among Houston’s top handful of truly serious chef-directed restaurants. Starters * Cheese platter, focaccia * Prosciutto San Daniele, Coppa, cacciatorini * Mussels escabeche, shallot, Calabrian chili, celery * Brussels sprouts, currants, almond, Manchego * Endive, lardon, parsley, spiced walnut, orange zest * Pizza * Pesto-apples, walnut, pecorino, frisee, taleggio * Rosso-pepperoni, pepperoncino, mozzarella * Main * Mezzi rigatoni, wild boar Bolognese, parmigiano * Gnocchi, lamb shoulder, parsley, garroxta * Bucatini, guanciale, pepper, farmhouse egg, parmigiano * Hanger steak, romesco, chicory * Red snapper, bok choy, soppressata, beurre blanc * Whole shrimp, harissa, potato, olive oil * Frittata, kale, onion, potato, goat cheese * Sides * Greens, garlic, chili, colatura * Crispy potato, fried herbs, aioli * Cauliflower, golden raisin, Calabrian chili