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CAFE PITA
10890 Westheimer Rd (713-953-7237)
Open Mon–Thur 11–9, Fri 11–10, Sat noon–10, Sun noon–9.
map | latest review | photo | access ++ |  add to library | |
$-$$ |
Eclectic |
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(From June 2008) This offbeat cafe (Houston’s only Bosnian restaurant) has created quite the buzz with its winning combination of great, cheap food and charming hospitality. Gyros, hummus, and kebabs, along with excellent pizzas and salads, make the menu accessible. But the cevapcici, grilled sausages tucked into lepinja (like puffy pita bread and alone worth a visit), is the house special. BYOB. |
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CAFE RABELAIS
2442 Times Blvd (713-520-8841)
Lunch Tue–Sat 11–2:30. Dinner Mon–Wed 6–9, Thur–Sat 6–10. Closed Sun.
web site | map | latest review | photo | access ++ | add to library | |
$$ |
Eclectic |
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(From May 2009) This cafe is not for sissies. No reservations are taken; parking in the busy Rice Village is often a challenge; the blackboard menu on the wall is hard to read; tables are close together and noise levels are high. So what’s the draw? Good, earthy French fare at fair prices, from fresh mussels and salads to quiche and rack of lamb. And a fine list of French wines to boot. Rabelais himself didn’t have it so easy, either, but he still managed to have a good time. Beer & wine. |
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FEAST
219 Westheimer Rd (713-529-7788)
Lunch Mon & Thur–Sat 11–3. Dinner Mon & Wed–Sat 5–10, Sun 5–9. Sun roast 12:30–2:30 2nd & 4th Sun of the month. Closed Tue.
web site | map | latest review | photo | no access | add to library | |
$$–$$$ |
British /
Eclectic |
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(From November 2009) The three owners of this casual bistro in an old house on lower Westheimer pride themselves on their “rustic European fare,” with an emphasis on virtually every edible portion of the porker. Having tried Feast’s estimable pig on other visits, we went this time for surf (successful scallops in cream with a touch of brandy) and turf (intriguing cock-a-leekie—braised chicken with a delicate plum sauce—a dish worth revisiting soon). Other entrées, particularly some of the fish items, have proved oily or underseasoned on occasion. Bar. |
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JEANNINE’S BISTRO
106 Westheimer, near Helena St. (713-874-0220)
Lunch Mon-Sat 11-2, Dinner Mon-Thur 5:30-9:30, Fri & Sat 5:30-11. Closed Sun.
web site | map | latest review | photo | access ++ | add to library | |
$$-$$$ |
Eclectic |
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(From December 2009) This cozy cafe opened by one of Cafe Montrose’s former owners has a diverse menu, but it’s Belgian at its core. A particular specialty is mussels, for which you can choose six styles and two portion sizes. (Large orders come with a kettle of potato fries—just don’t call them French.) A ham omelet made a filling lunch, but the winning dish at our table was the waterzooi de poulet. The traditional Belgian stew is definitely going on our short list. Sonia, our server, was a charming, motherly type, which further enhanced the family feel of the restaurant. |
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LAURIER CAFE & WINE
3139 Richmond Ave (713-807-1632)
Tue–Fri 11–11, Sat 4–11. Closed Sun & Mon. Reservations recommended weekends.
web site | map | latest review | photo | access ++ | add to library | |
$$-$$$ |
Eclectic |
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(From November 2008) The patio makes a pretty option on a pleasant night, but the colorful dining room cheered us on a recent rainy evening. So did plump mussels with frites and aioli, not to mention a great red wine–braised heap of boned beef short ribs with crisp greens and a special of perfectly cooked grouper. We shared a couple of desserts: a mound of rich bread pudding and a molten chocolate cake with crème anglaise—predictable, sure, but what’s not to like? Bar. |
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MAX’S WINE DIVE
The 50 Best Burgers 2009 »
4720 Washington Ave, at Shepherd (713-880-8737)
Open Tue & Wed 4–midnight, Thur–Sat 4–2 a.m., Sun 11–10. Closed Mon.
web site | map | latest review | photo | access + | add to library | |
$$–$$$ |
Wine Bar /
Eclectic |
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(From August 2009) It arrives at your table on a brioche bun with Belletoile triple-cream brie melting by the second. The ensuing food orgy will be something you remember for the rest of your life. On your deathbed (to which, unfortunately, you will be hastened by this burger), you will find yourself recalling the meat juices that oozed From the patty, through the cheese, and soaked drop by drop into the fluffy, sweet bread. If your doctor has a fit, tell him that Kobe beef is supposed to actually be good for your heart. Triple-cream brie, however... |
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OLIVETTE
The Houstonian, 111 N. Post Oak Ln (713-685-6713)
Open Mon–Fri 6:30 a.m.–10 p.m., Sat & Sun 7 a.m.–10 p.m. Reservations recommended.
web site | map | latest review | access ++ | add to library | |
$$$-$$$$ |
Eclectic |
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(From February 2009) It’s hard to imagine a more seductive setting than the wooded acres that surround this gracious restaurant in the Houstonian hotel complex. Now if only some of the dishes could be taken up a notch. The lamb chops earned an A, but the prime rib and halibut preparations would have benefited from a bit more inspiration. The chocolate pudding with fudge sauce will please the most dedicated chocoholic. Bar. |
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RAINBOW LODGE
2011 Ella Blvd, at 21st (713-861-8666)
Open Tue–Fri 11:30–10:30, Sat 6–10:30, Sun 10:30–10. Closed Mon. Reservations recommended.
web site | map | reserve a table | latest review | photo | access ++ | add to library | |
$$$ |
Eclectic |
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(From November 2009) We enjoyed a garden-fresh meal at this rustic hunting lodge on the banks of White Oak Bayou, starting with two inspired appetizers, one of ripe peaches and goat’s-milk feta, subtly sparked by lavender vinai-grette, and another of figs, radishes, ham, and elderflower jam. Continuing with the flora-fauna theme were roulades of chicken and pancetta in a broth laden with baby vegetables and, befitting the masculine set-ting, a thrice-smoked bison ribeye with cavolo nero. Bar. |
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SAFFRON
2006 Lexington (713-522-3562)
Dinner Tue–Thur 5–10, Fri & Sat 5–11. Closed Sun & Mon. Reservations accepted.
web site | map | reserve a table | latest review | no access | add to library | |
$$ |
Middle Eastern /
Eclectic |
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(From August 2008) Replete with Moroccan lanterns, tiles, and the requisite belly dancer, Saffron is nonetheless family-friendly and provides a good entry to North African cuisine. Our party gave enthusiastic thumbs-up to starters: beef ragoût rolled in phyllo and served in a honey-tomato confit and tender sweetbreads with fava beans and ginger. Thumbs stayed aloft for a simple, luscious dish of braised chicken over Moroccan bread in a saffron broth. Thumbs down, though, for dry bastilla and chewy lamb shank. Bar. |
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SHADE
250 W. 19th (713-863-7500)
Lunch Mon–Fri 11–2:30. Dinner Mon–Thur 5–10, Fri & Sat 5–10:30, Sun 5–9. Brunch Sat & Sun 10–3. Reservations recommended.
web site | map | reserve a table | latest review | access ++ | add to library | |
$$—$$$ |
New American /
Eclectic |
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(From February 2009) The contemporary setting complements the clean, fresh flavors of the menu at this Heights favorite. We enjoyed the measured pace of our meal, which started with beefy vine-ripened tomatoes simply garnished with feta cheese and basil and a lively mixed greens salad with grapefruit, roasted beets, and citrus vinaigrette. Equally impressive were the sautéed halibut atop mashed purple potatoes and grilled zucchini and the plump grilled pork chop with savory Gruyère bread pudding and sautéed Swiss chard. Bar. |
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