Houston Recs

[EatinAintCheatin]

I'm gonna be in Houston on an upcoming Friday and Saturday night. I'll be in the Brookhollow area (NW area where I-610 and 290 meet).

I'm looking for a couple of nice places the won't break my bank. Last time we ate at Marks and while it was good it was probably one of the top 3 most expensive meals I've ever had. So I'm scratching that one off my list.

I know that there have been a few discussions on this board about Houston, and that Bear did a nice review over a while back, but I'm looking for some fresh info.

Anyone got anything?

TIA,
EAC

[hungryone]

Cafe Annie...on Post Oak, just off of San Felipe near 610.
http://www.cafe-annie.com/

[wish I never left]

I live in that area and there are plenty of great restaurants in the area.

Not sure what your definition of 'break the bank' is, but it is safe to say that would eliminate Textile.

You might want to check out Rainbow Lodge, which has been very highly regarded lately: http://www.rainbow-lodge.com/Menus-Dinner.asp but certainly isn't cheap.

Shade in the Heights is a personal favorite in the area, although it can sometimes be a little inconsistent. http://www.shadeheights.com/index.html

If you were in the mood for ceviche inspired seafood, you could try Cafe Red Onion Seafood y Mas: http://www.caferedonion.com/seafoodMas_dinnermenu.pdf The normal Cafe Red Onion used to delight me, but has long since fallen out of favor; the Seafood place seems to still have the old sense of care and attention to detail.

If you are willing to travel down to the Washington Avenue area, there are a ton of restaurants that might fit the bill at a variety of price points and cuisines. Let me know if that's of interest and I can follow up on that.

I hope this helps at least a little bit. As always, especially in a town as large and with such a, um, varied array of restaurants, more details are always helpful for making more accurate suggestions.

[EatinAintCheatin]

Thanks for the recs H.O. and WINL.

Rainbow Lodge was on my list last time but our friends REALLY wanted Marks. By expensive I mean that I dropped $200 - $250 per couple. To me, I'd like to eat well for about $125 per couple. And that's top end of the range I was looking for.

We will have a car (of course) and are pretty familiar with Houston, so driving somewhere is really not a problem...other than one of us will not be able to imbibe.

If I remember correctly, Rainbow is on T.C. Jester, which is an easy taxi for us...so it currently leads the recs.

[The Bear]

The original Cafe Annie's is closing for good at the end of July. However the owner is opening a less high end place a bit down the road.

http://www.examiner.com/x-3259-Houston- ... away-or-so

At the juncture of T C Jester and Washington is a wonderful small plates place

http://catalanfoodandwine.com/

pics and comments from my visit

http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/19280709

I will be in Houston Friday eating at Reef

http://www.reefhouston.com/

I have eaten at Marks also, fortunately someone else picked up the bill. Fantastic food.

[EatinAintCheatin]

I have eaten at Marks also, fortunately someone else picked up the bill. Fantastic food.

Yeah, I remember Bear. We really wanted to meet you while we were there but the timing just didn't work out. We were there for dinner right after your lunch. I even inquired about you and the hostess remembered you. One of these days the stars will line up.

Our trip is not for a couple weeks so I won't be there this weekend.

Thanks for the reply.

[wish I never left]

Catalan is very good and would be one of my recs for the Washington Avenue corridor. My advice is to stick to the small plates as they are generally better than the big plates. Best picks include the pork belly, the spicey garlic gulf shrimp, and the roasted bone marrow.

Note that, despite the name, like its parent restaurant Ibiza, there is nothing in particular that suggests Catalonian cuisine. I say this not as a criticism, but just to make sure your expectations aren't upset.

[TulaneRebel]

Looking at Rainbow Lodge this weekend. Any places I should consider in its stead?

[EatinAintCheatin]

On my last trip there I ate at Shade:

http://www.shadeheights.com/index.html

It's been nearly a year so I don't remember the details other than I really enjoyed the meal. However, the dining room is very "cozy"....meaning you will meet your dining neighbors. We were lucky that the couple next to us was a very nice Louisiana (New Orleans) couple and the guy actually went to my high school.

One other thing. It's located in a dry "area" so you have to "join" the club to order alcohol. Not a big deal. Just give them your license and sign some bogus membership thing. Just a little weird for New Orleans folk.

We also ate at Rainbow Lodge. It is one of my favorites. I really like sitting at their awesome bar and ordering small plates. The bartenders are very laid back and the bar is really comfortable. I would rank it as one of my favorite places to sit at a bar.

I'll be back there in July.

[wish I never left]

Rainbow Lodge has changed chefs since this thread started. I haven't been since the changeover, but I've heard good things.

I was just at Shade for brunch a few weeks ago. The food was good, but we had pretty bad service. I'd be willing to chalk that issue up to a bit of bad luck, but it does still rankle me enough to mention it.

To throw out a couple of other names: You might consider Stella Sola and Branchwater Tavern - two newer restaurants that are serving some very nice food and are the Heights and Washington Ave area respectively.

http://www.stellasolahouston.com/

http://www.branchwatertavern.com/

Any additional information about what you're looking for, where you're willing to travel to, etc. can help jog my memory for more places to suggest.