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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 | |
$-$$ |
Eclectic |
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(From June 2008) This offbeat cafe (Houston’s only Bosnian restaurant) has created quite the buzz with its winning combination of great, cheap food and charming hospitality. Gyros, hummus, and kebabs, along with excellent pizzas and salads, make the menu accessible. But the cevapcici, grilled sausages tucked into lepinja (like puffy pita bread and alone worth a visit), is the house special. BYOB. |
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THE RAVEN GRILL
1916 Bissonnet (713-521-2027)
Open Mon 5–10, Tue–Thur 11–10, Fri & Sat 11–11, Sun 11–9.
web site | map | latest review | photo | access ++ | add to library | |
$-$$ |
American /
Eclectic |
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(From December 2009) Better than a neighborhood hangout needs to be, casual Raven actually draws from beyond the Rice area. Folks come for the hefty burgers, quesadillas, salads, and even the satisfying grilled cheese sandwiches. Entrées, including specials of the day, are also offered. The reliably good food and service, reasonable prices, and nice outdoor patio (complete with a resident chicken stalking the grounds) make Raven a go-to spot. Bar. |
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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 | |
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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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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 | |
$$ |
Middle Eastern /
Eclectic |
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(From August 2008) Replete with Moroccan lanterns, tiles, and the requisite belly dancer, Saffron is nonetheless family-friendly and provides a good entry to North African cuisine. Our party gave enthusiastic thumbs-up to starters: beef ragoût rolled in phyllo and served in a honey-tomato confit and tender sweetbreads with fava beans and ginger. Thumbs stayed aloft for a simple, luscious dish of braised chicken over Moroccan bread in a saffron broth. Thumbs down, though, for dry bastilla and chewy lamb shank. Bar. |
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THE GROVE
1611 Lamar (713-337-7314)
Open Mon–Thur 11–10, Fri & Sat 11–11, Sun 11–9. Reservations recommended.
web site | map | reserve a table | latest review | photo | access ++ | add to library | |
$$-$$$ |
New American /
Eclectic |
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(From December 2009) We hear raves and pans for Grove, but our visit to this ultracool Discovery Green site planted us firmly in the rave group. Who wouldn’t love heirloom tomatoes graced with queso fresco and fresh oregano or arugula with wafer-thin peach slices, goat cheese, and spiced pecans? Who wouldn’t be happy with thinly sliced pork atop parsnip purée with apple sauce or tender fried shrimp in jalapeño-ginger sauce? And that view of the park—perfect! Bar. |
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JEANNINE’S BISTRO
106 Westheimer, near Helena St. (713-874-0220)
Lunch Mon-Sat 11-2, Dinner Mon-Thur 5:30-9:30, Fri & Sat 5:30-11. Closed Sun.
web site | map | latest review | photo | access ++ | add to library | |
$$-$$$ |
Eclectic |
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(From December 2009) This cozy cafe opened by one of Cafe Montrose’s former owners has a diverse menu, but it’s Belgian at its core. A particular specialty is mussels, for which you can choose six styles and two portion sizes. (Large orders come with a kettle of potato fries—just don’t call them French.) A ham omelet made a filling lunch, but the winning dish at our table was the waterzooi de poulet. The traditional Belgian stew is definitely going on our short list. Sonia, our server, was a charming, motherly type, which further enhanced the family feel of the restaurant. |
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LAURIER CAFE & WINE
3139 Richmond Ave (713-807-1632)
Tue–Fri 11–11, Sat 4–11. Closed Sun & Mon. Reservations recommended weekends.
web site | map | latest review | photo | access ++ | add to library | |
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Eclectic |
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(From November 2008) The patio makes a pretty option on a pleasant night, but the colorful dining room cheered us on a recent rainy evening. So did plump mussels with frites and aioli, not to mention a great red wine–braised heap of boned beef short ribs with crisp greens and a special of perfectly cooked grouper. We shared a couple of desserts: a mound of rich bread pudding and a molten chocolate cake with crème anglaise—predictable, sure, but what’s not to like? Bar. |
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RAINBOW LODGE
2011 Ella Blvd, at 21st (713-861-8666)
Open Tue–Fri 11:30–10:30, Sat 6–10:30, Sun 10:30–10. Closed Mon. Reservations recommended.
web site | map | reserve a table | latest review | photo | access ++ | add to library | |
$$$ |
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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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 | |
$$$-$$$$ |
Eclectic |
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(From February 2009) It’s hard to imagine a more seductive setting than the wooded acres that surround this gracious restaurant in the Houstonian hotel complex. Now if only some of the dishes could be taken up a notch. The lamb chops earned an A, but the prime rib and halibut preparations would have benefited from a bit more inspiration. The chocolate pudding with fudge sauce will please the most dedicated chocoholic. Bar. |
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FEAST
219 Westheimer Rd (713-529-7788)
Lunch Mon & Thur–Sat 11–3. Dinner Mon & Wed–Sat 5–10, Sun 5–9. Sun roast 12:30–2:30 2nd & 4th Sun of the month. Closed Tue.
web site | map | latest review | photo | no access | add to library | |
$$–$$$ |
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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