Combined Suggestions, Houston

In my opinion, Houston has one of the top restaurant scenes in the country, and without a doubt the best in the state.

Others agree: Esquire magazine and The Wine Spectator have more than once named Houston as the fourth best restaurant city in the nation, just behind New York, San Francisco and Chicago. This puts it ahead of such cities as Boston, Washington DC, New Orleans, Dallas, and Los Angeles in some opinions.
Houston also has more gold-medal award-winning restaurants than any other city in the nation.

You can find almost any kind of food in Houston, and most of it is very good and reasonably priced compared to other areas of the country.

Some notable places by area:

(Galleria area)

Cafe Annie -- 1728 Post Oak Blvd. Fabulous Southwestern in the Galleria Area. Decor has the feeling of a luxury cruise liner. Dressy.

Tony's -- 1801 Post Oak Blvd. French/Italian and "the place to see and be seen", but pricey. In the Galleria Area. Dressy.

Americas -- 1800 Post Oak Blvd. Great South American/Brazilian/Argentinian and steak. Hip and trendy atmosphere in the Galleria Area. Unique, artistic decor. Business casual or casual.

Nit Noi -- 6395 Woodway Dr. Fresh Thai near the Galleria Area. Rumor has it former president Bush likes this place. Casual.

Bombay Brasserie -- 5160 Richmond Ave. Great Indian food in the Galleria area. Cozy, romantic atmosphere. Business casual to casual.

Grotto -- 4715 Westheimer Rd. Italian in a trendy, upbeat atmosphere in the Galleria area. Business casual or casual.

Anthony's -- 4007 Westheimer. Continental/French/Italian. Upscale, romantic atmosphere in a upscale shopping area along a palm-lined area of Westheimer.

Ruth's Chris Steakhouse -- 6213 Richmond Ave. Excellent steak in the Galleria area. Business casual to dressy.

Favorite Dish: Notable places continued...

(In downtown)

Zula -- 705 Main St. Unique dining experience in downtown. Decor is unique and very retro early-mid 20th century. Business casual or dressy.

Sambuca -- 909 Texas St. American/Italian. Restaurant/bar with a hip retro atmosphere and live jazz every night. On the ground floor of the historic Rice Lofts (formerly the Rice Hotel, where JFK spent his last night alive). Business causual or dressy.

Artista -- 800 Bagby St. (in the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts). New American, seafood, South American. Great place for pre-theatre dinner. Business casual to dressy.

Mia Bella -- 320 Main St. Great value Italian in downtown. Casual or business casual.

(Near downtown)

Rainbow Lodge -- 1 Birdsall St. New American, seafood, game. Exotic, romantic cabin atmosphere off Memorial drive just west of downtown. Outdoor gardens back up to Buffalo Bayou. Business casual or dressy.

Damian's -- 3011 Smith. Fabulous Italian in a cozy atmosphere just west of downtown. Casual or business casual.

Brennan's -- 3300 Smith St. Cajun/Creole. Nice New Orleans import with a subdued, peaceful atmosphere. Dressy.

Madras Pavilian -- 3910 Kirby Dr. Good Indian food, including vegetarian. Casual.

(Montrose)

Ruggle's -- 903 Westheimer. American, southwestern. A Montrose area favorite. Business casual to casual.

(West Houston)

Churrascos - 9705 Westheimer. Great South American/Brazilian/Argentinian and steak in a cozy atmosphere. Business casual or casual.

A Moveable Feast -- 9341 Katy Fwy. Vegetarian in a serene atmosphere. Casual.

So many and such variety!You will argue trying to decide. Pappasita's (many locations) for the best Mexican food and such portions! Ninfa's is also good too and has the best tortillas in town. Blowfish at 309 Gray at Brazos for sushi and I'll save you money by telling you the ribeye over avocado and the cod are the BEST 2 dishes there.
Pappadeau (Several locations) for best seafood. LA Vista on Fountainview for the best casual but great food-byob.Tenderloin with cherry sauce is a house favorite-yum. Eat outside is popular and walk the center looking in windows of the shops afterward.
Barnaby's another casual has best Chinese and Mediterrean salads and great prices. (Shepherd is the newest trendy one near San Felipe) (Fairview is the older dive one with flying dogs painted on the ceiling in Montrose area). Looking for 5 star-go to Vallones, Tony's,or Cafe Annie.

Houston has over 12,000 restaurants right from the elegance of Tony Vallone's at over $100 a head to the mexican cantina serving up sizzling fajitas at a steal...Few of my personal favorites are Cafe Annie, Tony Vallones, Pappadeaux... oooohhhhh.. i could go on..just walk through downtown and you are sure to find something that suits your palate.

There are a lot of great restaurants in Houston, especially ethnic restaurants. I really enjoyed a particular Chinese restaurant in downtown Houston beaneath the interchange of two main highways. The menu at this restaurant was huge! Sadly I can't recall the name right now. Houston also has some great chains that I haven't found elsewhere: (i) Luther's Bar-B-Que (huge baked potatos come with your order and there is salad bar where you can add what you like to the potato), (ii) Luby's Cafeteria, (iii) Dos Pesos (cheap, but good Mexican) and, of course (iv) the House of Pies (great breakfast and pastries 24 hours).

My favorite places to eat: Farrago, Daily Review Cafe, Americas, Mission Burrito. We have more renowned and upscale restaurants, but I think they are overpriced for what you get.
Farrago has great service and cozy atmosphere. Daily Review has a slightly different menu every day, so you can't get bored. Americas has decor that is what I would call 'rain forest on acid'. It has this Daliesque feeling to it. Eat at the Mission Burrito on West Alabama under the huge spreading live oak.

Favorite Dish: Get whatever they have on special at Farrago, its always great. Daily Review makes a fabulous lamb stew, but all their menu items are very tasty, sort of comfort food with a flair. Americas is more upscale. I never leave there without being completely stuffed. Get the tres leches, its almost better than sex! Mission Burrito is totally fresh burritos and tacos tex-mex style.

Whether you are in the mood for burgers or Eggs Benedict, there's a terrific little spot around the corner. With thousands of restaurants, Houston has an astounding choice of palate-pleasing cusines. Savor the flavors of Chinese, Cajun, Traditional American, Greek, German, English, French, Italian, Japanese, Lebanese, Mexican, South American, Thai or Vietnamese food. Chow down on genuine Texas barbecue. Hot-as-a-pistol chili. Spicy crawfish. Rasberry souffle'. Or steamed dumplings. It's your chance to indulge in your favorites and to try some new culinary experiences. Great eating spots pepper the city, so your opportunities for a memorable dining experience are limitless. Dozens of Houston restaurants have won accolades in magazines such as Gourmet and Esquire. No wonder Houstonians dine out more than residents of any other city, including New York.

There are a lot of good places to eat in Houston. I reccommend La Strada and Liberty Noodles.

SPOILT FOR CHOICE.......LOTS OF VERY GOOD EATING PLACES SERVING ANYTHING FROM BURGERS TO STEAK OR ITALIAN.

Favorite Dish: SURF AND TURF