Ok, i know this is the 10,000,000,0001st thread like this. But me and the wife are going to dinner tonight. We want to try something new. Now I do not care what type of place it is, just looking for a good recommendation. Steak, Burgers, Asian, Italian, Greek, Soul Food, whatever! All I ask is that they serve alcohol and have awesome food. Looking to spend no more than $40-$50 on the meal itself.
If by the "meal itself" you mean just food, not included entrees or booze, I suggest Ruggles Grill (unless you've been there, then it's not something new). I am taking my mom there tomorrow night. I know the one in Austin did not do well but the one in Houston (Montrose, not Galleria) is pretty good, at least it was the time I went. Edit: My favorite place to eat is Lupe Tortilla, which is taking this in a totally different direction.
auntie pasta in bellaire. cute little place i highley recomend the steak calimari, crawfish ravioli, black pepper& shrimp alfredo... thank me tomorrow and you are coming in under budget--- also with the bread ask for the dipping sauce. for mexican we like los cucos for a bit of everything roadster grill check out the websiteThe Link
In that price range I love the Raven Grill on Bissonet between Kirby and Shepard. Great seafood, meatloaf, southwestern entrees under $20. Very reasonable wine by the glass. Intimate setting, great for a date.
thanks, lots of great options so far. I guess Ill play too, just incase anyone wants to use this as a guide. My 2 fav. places are 1) Mexican - Teotihuacan on Airline off of Main (off of I-45). Just awesome food. 2) Italian - Patranellas, on Jackson Hill St. off of Washington Ave.
For Mexican we like Pico's on Bellaire near Hillcroft. Raven Grill is a great place too as mentioned. Barnaby's on Shepherd if you want something casual. In the Village area D'Amico's is great (Italian), as well as Black Walnut.
Dolce Vita on Westheimer east of Montrose is a great Italian / upscale pizza place. Everything is good, but the pasta orrichiette with sweet sausage is fantastic. The wine is a little pricey, but I always get martinis there anyway. I will have to try Patranellas - anyone who recommends Teotihuacan knows what they're talking about.
Off the wall Mexican - Chupultapec on Richmond just east of Montrose. The margaritas are icnredible, the food is good, cheap and they are open late. Do not expect the greatest food you'v ever had. It is good, and you should expect it to be good. It is not great, but that is not the point of this place. Steak - I cannot say for sure what is the best since there are so many that are so damned good. I generally will choose Del Friscos or Strip House. The steaks are interchangeably badass. I like the sides and atmosphere better at Strip House, but the wine list at Del Frisco is without peer. Greek - Niko Nikos - I can never understand why it takes them so goddamned long to cut gyron meat off a fookin spinning wheel, but i eat here lost anyway. Love the food, but it does come with hassle. Fajitas - El Tiempo - a fajita is beef not chicken or any other nonesense. These beef fajitas are my personal favorite. BBQ- try the new BEavers on Sawyer just off Washington. Not your typical BBQ joint so do not go there thinking it is going to be the same old BBQ type place. If you want an old school place thelmas is IMO the best BBQ in town. Luling Market at 610 and Richmond can be good at times too. Breakfast - Breakfast Club on Travis at Alabama Seafood - Reef - another incredible wine list that is well priced. Seafood is the best I can recall on a consistent basis. Italian - Antica Osteria on Bissonnett at Greenbriar. The Boar Chop with balsamic reduction and the spaghetti carbonara are heart stoppers, but you'll die happy. Favorite Special Place - DaMarco. I simply love everything at this place. Bring your wallet, but I have never felt anything was not worth the price. I have always had great service and every dish I have ever tasted here has exceeded my lofty expectations of it. I generally will bring my own wine when I do here. Burgers - Christians Totem and Lankfords are interchangeable as 1A and 1B. I cannot determine which is better, but I know that I have never had another burger as good as what either of these do on a daily basis.
Santos on Westheimer new the Beltway is good choice. But my personal favorite is Lupe Tortilla and it is not even close.
My list: Dolce Vita Da Marco Lupe Tortilla (just for beef fajitas- everything else about the place pretty much sucks) Ibiza Various Tex-Mex (Teotihuacan, Larry's, La Escondida, etc) I really wanted to like Beaver's, but all 3 times I went, it just wasn't very good. Everything has way too much sugar and the brisket is a sick, twisted, dried out joke.
We ended up going staying in...weather was NASTY. But today we ended up getting to try Niko Niko's. It was really good, best Greek I have tasted in town. Anyone ever been to Yia Yia Mary's before? Always drive by, never been. And we drove by Reef today, my wife recognized the name from this thread. We plan to try that place soon. But I seriously just might work my way down this thread and try everything.
When i was young (haven't lived in houston since) Auntie Pasto's (notice the different spelling) on Bellaire (I think) was also one of my favorites. Lupe Tortilla is still darn good.
I really like Thai Pepper on West Alabama near Shepard. Neat place in a converted house with excellent food (if you like it spicy, that is).
for small places, I love Divino on W. Alabama. for something different, give Max's Wine Dive a try. Also Ferrago in Midtown is good, except I had some terrible tuna steak tacos there.
