Houston should not be defined by BBQ joints on every block and bars with fried foods and bucking bronco machines at every corner.  These places are great when you’re in the mood, but quiet corners in  a classy décor surroundings with chefs that prepare award winning cuisine are easy to find in Houston.

Las Alamedas offers the authentic Mexican cuisine seen in finer restaurants in Acapulco or Mexico City.  Their food and bar menus have been sampled and  positively reviewed in many periodicals including Texas Good Eats, Houston Chronicle, Houston Post and Travel Host. When you walk into this restaurant you’ll feel as though you’ve entered a 19th century hacienda.  Besides a delicious roster of dishes on their regular menu, enjoy their Champagne Brunch every Sunday from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.

Café Piquet fills their menu with delicately spiced Cuban cuisine.  You will savor these authentic dishes as you delight in the tropical music that surrounds you.  Try some of their plantains or empanadas. But, be forewarned if you choose to order one of their Cuban sandwiches, don’t get the Super Cuban unless you are extremely hungry.

Carmelo’s Italian Restaurant offers authentic Italian cuisine in a romantic setting.  The wine list has an abundant selection and the valet service is quick and attentive.  You are liable to see Carmelo, or should I say hear Carmelo.  He speaks five languages including Spanish and Italian.  The Sicilian master chef also has a restaurant in Austin.  His specialty, Caribbean Lobster filled Ravioli, must be tried.  But, first start out your meal with his Crab Cakes Carmelo.

The Oceanaire Seafood Room does not only believe in quality cuisine made from fresh, fresh ingredients, but it prides itself on having the best service in town.  The ambiance is romantic, yet comfortable.  They even have private rooms for business meetings, weddings or any special occasion.

The Palm is a Houston tradition that offers out of this world USDA prime steaks and jumbo Nova Scotia Lobster.  What more could a person ask for?  If you aren’t tempted by the steak and lobster, but don’t know what to order, try one of their Italian specialties like Tuscan Broiled Split Chicken.   Although this is a very classy restaurant, it is also lively.  So come and have fun but don’t expect a quiet, romantic evening.

Artista Restaurant offers inspired contemporary American food in a modern and elegant atmosphere with glass walls with views of Tranquility Park and the Houston downtown skyline.  Sit at the onyx wrap-around bar for a cocktail before dining and then make a choice to be seated in the outdoor terrace.  Order your entrée, sauce and side dishes separately or allow the rely on the chef to prepare you an extraordinary combination.

Azuma Sushi & Robata Bar-Rice Village has their fresh sushi and sashimi are flown in daily.  They also offer a fireside grill with choices of beef, chicken, shrimp, calamari or scallops.  Don’t know what to order?  Try the Hot Rock Beef, prepared right on a hot rock.  Between the dim lighting and paper lanterns there is a romantic atmosphere.  Don’t miss out on dessert with green tea ice cream and Banana Tempura.

Chez Nous exudes French romance as you walk in the door.  Winner of the best wine list 2006, it is second only to their cuisine.  In fact, Chez Nous has won many awards, among them are “America’s Top Restaurants” list 1994 to present, Gourmet Magazine’s “America’s Top Tables,” Wine Spectators, “Award of Excellence” and many more.  The rustic refurbished church it’s house in adds to its French countryside ambiance.  Although a few of the appetizers and entrees change every day, the menu is balanced with the constant choices of chateaubriand, foie gras, vichyssoise and escargot.

Indika fills their menu with modernized Indian cuisine.  It is recognized as the top restaurant in the America by Gourmet Magazine and as one of the Top 5 Destination Restaurants in Houston by Zagat’s.  Indika’s offers an exquisite Sunday brunch.  If you love the food and want to learn how to prepare it yourself, cooking classes are offered every fourth Sunday of the month.  Meanwhile, enjoy live music every Saturday night which adds to the already warm and inviting ambiance.

Sorrento Ristorante may be the best of everything you could want in a Houston restaurant.  They have great food, great service and great atmosphere.  This restaurant also offers a deluxe Sunday brunch.  This elegant and romantic restaurant is open for lunch and dinner.  Start your meal with the Jumbo Lump Crab Stuffed Mushrooms and had the Fresh Marine Lobster Bisque for your second course.  Choose Pan Seared Wild Salmon with Scampi Risotto for your entrée.  But, save room for dessert with a chocolate cannelloni.

Julia’s Bistro prepares their foods with rich tangy spices and the freshest of ingredients.  The menu encompasses dishes from Latin America including South America, Central America, Mexico, and Spanish Mediterranean.  OMB, you have to try the Shrimp Quesadilla filled with grilled shrimp, gruyere cheese, roasted peppers, scallions and pumpkin seeds in a “homemade” fluffy tortilla.  It’s so original yet you wonder why someone else didn’t come up with this perfect combination.

Chabuca’s Steak and Rotisserie was named after the mother of two brothers, Charles and William White.  The boys loved the combination of their Peruvian mother and Texas grown father.  You can expect the finest black angus steaks and rotisserie, grilled over an open flame, in all of Houston when you visit this restaurant.  Their Sunday buffet is not to be missed with fluffy biscuits and creamy southern grits for a start.  They also feature fluffy omelets, Mexican hash browns with chorizo and jalapeños, quesadillas plus all the regular brunch fair.

To go along with these fine restaurants, click here for fine deals on fine hotels in Houston, or anywhere.

(cc: photo credit: disneymike)

( photo credit: star5112)

When you arrive via Bush Intercontinental Airport or Houston Hobby Airport and make your way to downtown Houston, you will be ready to experience how Houston sizzles at night.  Find out about all the nightclubs, bars and nightlife, then plan your trip to include some exciting night-time entertainment.  Where in Houston can you find the best entertainment, the best happy hour and the best place for wine lovers to unite?

The Mezzanine Lounge touts one of the best “Happy Hours” in the city.  It is a sports bar like no other with thirty-five TVs.  And if you think they are all on the “game” channel, think again.  If you want to watch something in particular, just ask and they will find a location and TV for you.  For something really unique take the elevator up to the mezzanine and spin the “shot wheel.”  They offer over 30 beers and a full restaurant menu all night 365 days a year.

Firkin and Phoenix is in the cozy English pub style offering full service lunch and dinner.  They have a great variety of bottled bear and 13 different beers on tap with inside seating or two outside patios.  Get your favorite beer during their pint sale on Monday through Friday, 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm.  You get your choice of a $2 domestic pint, $3.50 imported pint or $3 Wells.  Not only that, Monday is free pool day – all day.  Tuesday brings $3 – 23 oz beers and 40 cent wings.  If you’re into poker, join them for Wednesday Pub Poker League and $8 beer pitchers.

Front Porch Pub has a full bar and nearly 100 different beer.  They’ve been voted the #1 happy hour bar in Midtown.  They’re just an all around fun after work bar or one where it’s just nice to feel like a local.  They have a full menu and the kitchen serves until 1:00am.  If you’re looking for something a little different, try the chocolate stout.

13 Celsius mirrors a European wine bar while being housed in a 1920s Mediterranean style building in Houston’s Midtown area.  Sit at the marble bar and marvel at the windowed wine cellar (maintained at 13 degrees Celsius).  Choose your favorite wine or be adventuresome and try something new.  All their wines go well with the fine cheeses and meats offered.  If you find a wine that speaks to you, take a bottle home.  They are also a retail wine seller.

Agora offers gourmet coffees as well as imported beers and a large selection of wines along with their Greek yogurts and cheeses.  It was voted the best coffeehouse in Houston by the Houston Press.  But, don’t that lead you to think that this is just a day-time experience.  It’s true, it is a bit on the tame side, but if that’s your style you will love the ambiance at Agora’s.

Anderson Fair started out as a coffee hangout, growing during the 60s and 70s to a local icon.  In the 80s you could eat, drink and enjoy the show that was going on at the “AFair Theater” just 8 inches above floor level.  The music that became famous during that time is still going strong and is called singer/songwriter in it’s traditional natural accompaniment without lip synching or synthesizing.  It creates a very intimate performance between singer and audience.

Goode’s Armadillo Palace is a mix between a Texas honky-tonk and history museum.  You’ll make up your mind one way or the other as to go on in when you drive up to the giant armadillo, wearing longhorns and breathing smoke, out front.  One thing for sure, there’s only one Armadillo Palace.  Once you’ve grabbed a pistol-handle to open the door and walked under a arch of antlers, you’ll settle right into the live music and saloon type bar.  The menu is full of Texas-style dishes to go along with the great beer on tap.

Bar Annie is a late night bistro and bar where you will enjoy appetizers, salads and entrees with a Southwestern flair along with a full bar.  It’s classy with a décor of wood accents and zebra print bar stools.  The atmosphere is relaxed although even the bar is set with fine linens and china.  For a fun night with a lot of class without the stuffiness the obvious choice is Bar Annie.

The Corkscrew is the place if you are a wine lover.  You can peruse racks of wine for just the right one for the mood your in.  If you can’t decide, converse with the knowledgeable and friendly staff for help in making your choice.  If you’re just in the mood for a glass of wine, gather around the beautiful Cyprus bar and choose between thirty different wines.  Watch the big screen TV, or move to a lounge atmosphere with comfortable seating and a quite conversational tone.

The Drake is a new and sizzling nightclub on trendy Washington Avenue.  It’s located right across from The Corkscrew, so you’ll have a chance to look in on both hopping night spots.  It’s housed in a former warehouse, but don’t let that fool you.  The Drake is a classy cocktail lounge with dark brown leather sofas and chandelier lighting.  It has the kind of romantic atmosphere where you’ll want to bring that someone special for an intimate evening.

Sammy’s, owned by the local talent, Sammy Relford, brings live music to his place every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.  You’ll find the owner introducing professional musicians in the soul, jazz and funk genres.  The dance floor is crowded and the entertainment is a lineup of local names such as Houston’s queen of R&B, Faye Robinson and the Mid City Players.

Numbers has it’s own motto, “No Dress Code, No Waitresses, No Valet and No Attitude.”  This a place where everyone is welcome to settle in and enjoy a cold drink and hopping music.  Top DJs spin the tunes with the added ambiance of a light show.  Other nights they host up and coming artists of different venues.  Join them Wednesday night for 50 cent beer.

Houston Nightlife

Houston is fun by day, but sizzling by night.  There is a nightclub, bar and/or entertainment for everyone’s taste.  And there are quite a few places that are so friendly, they make all who enter through their doors welcome.  Enjoy your trip to Houston and pencil in on your calendar a few nights of fun.

Click here for great hotel rates on hotels in Houston or anywhere.  Enjoy your stay, and enjoy your night on the town!