Savor Sweet Treats at Houston’s Cookies by Design

A bouquet of flowers may be the traditional way to brighten someone's day, but Cookies by Design doesn't care much for tradition. This Houston business reinvents the bouquet by swapping out flowers for colorfully embellished cookies.

Say thank you with a posy of musical notes and instruments—cleverly dubbed "A Note of Thanks." That's what the card-cookie tucked at the top proclaims, amid other sweets shaped and decorated like a violin, saxophone, piano, and notes on the treble clef. Or wish someone a "Speedy Recovery" with an arrangement of cute, colorful turtle cookies.

For even more sugar power, opt for a "Cookie Boutray" over a bouquet. These swap in a foundation of chocolate chip and sugar cookies for the bouquets' containers. You can also order your cookies piled into a basket, spread out on a tray, or blown up to the size of a huge single-cookie cake (embellished with the same celebratory words as standard cookies).

Cookies by Design
2524 Rice Boulevard
Houston, TX 77005
(713) 524-7900
www.cookiesbydesign.com

www.yelp.com/biz/cookies-by-design-houston

Enjoy Sushi in Houston at Oshii Japanese Restaurant

Located near the Greenway Plaza is Oishii Japanese Restaurant, a place where Houstonians can enjoy their favorite Japanese dishes without breaking the bank.

Stop by for lunch or dinner and select from sashimi, sushi rolls, noodle dishes, and crispy tempura plates. Favorites include udon noodles with vegetable tempura, grilled salmon smothered in teriyaki sauce, and the chef’s choice sashimi and sushi plates. There is a decent selection of maki, including Philadelphia and rainbow rolls, and it’s relatively inexpensive. You can also opt to order sushi or sashimi by the piece.

Regulars rave about the happy hour specials and casual atmosphere, claiming that Oishii is one of their favorite places to gather with friends for sushi or a bento box.

Visit Oshii's website to find out more about this Japanese restaurant in Houston.

Oshii Japanese Restaurant
3764 Richmond Avenue
Houston, TX 77046
(713) 621-8628
http://www.oishiihouston.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/oishii-restaurant-houston

Bombay Pizza Company Offers A Fusion of International Cuisines

Bombay Pizza Company fuses traditional Italian-style pizza with Indian fare flavors to deliver truly unique tastes to Houston. The restaurant is cozy, complete with old fashioned low lights and warm colors.

Consider ordering a specialty pizza or two and splitting it with the table, especially if it’s your first time at Bombay. Try the saag paneer with spicy spinach, collard greens, and three types of cheese or the masala pizza with chicken, chorizo, and potatoes sprinkled with cumin. If you’re not in the mood for pizza, Bombay has some equally tasty burgers. One interesting option is the potato patty fried in chickpea batter or the beef burger seasoned with traditional Indian cuisine spices. There are also pasta dishes and curries to enjoy.

Visit on Mondays to take advantage of Bombay's $10 pizza night, complete with a salad and a drink, or stop by for happy hour on weekdays, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., for $3 off any pizza.

Bombay Pizza Company
914 Main Street
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 654-4444
http://www.bombaypizzaco.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/bombay-pizza-co-houston

Pappas Bros Steakhouse: Delightful Steaks in Houston, Texas

‘Excellent, fantastic and phenomenal’ are some of the adjectives sometimes used to describe Pappas Bros Steakhouse. Go there to find out what all the fuss is about and come up with a description of your own.

The menu features appetizers like Lobster Deviled Eggs, Bacon Wrapped Scallops, Shrimp Remoulade, Crab Cocktail, and Fried Oysters. The steaks are all USDA Prime in-house dry-aged beef, seasoned with kosher salt, pepper & butter. Options include Filet Mignon, Porterhouse, Bone-In Prime New York Strip, and Prime Ribeye. Grilled Double Lamb Chops, Lamb Rack, Pan Seared Sea Bass, Broiled Atlantic Salmon Filet and Live Maine Lobster. Sides include Fresh Jumbo Asparagus, Au Gratin Potatoes, Roasted Wild Mushrooms and French Green Beans.

Pappas Bros Steakhouse is open Monday through Saturday.

Pappas Bros Steakhouse
5839 Westheimer Road
Houston, TX 77057
(713) 780-7352
www.pappasbros.com/home
www.yelp.com/biz/pappas-bros-steakhouse-houston

Save Room for the Berry Bread Pudding at Masraff’s

An elegant ambiance, expertly attentive service, and a sumptuous menu of flavorful fare are the hallmarks of Masraff’s. Seating options include the bar with an elevated fireplace, the patio, or in the chic dining room.

Settle in with a glass of wine from Masraff's expansive inventory, then whet your appetite with the ahi tuna tartar, garlic seared calamari, or the chilled colossal crab. Move on to the main event with pan seared diver scallops with carrot ginger bisque, coffee rubbed filet mignon with wild mushroom risotto, or pan roasted chicken breast with au gratin potatoes. Save a spot for the warm triple berry bread pudding with cream cheese mousse.

Masraff's is open every day.

Masraff's
1753 Post Oak Boulevard
Houston, TX 77056
(713) 355-1975
www.masraffs.com
www.yelp.com/biz/masraffs-houston

Perbacco: Authentic Italian Fare in the Heart of Downtown Houston

Located across the street from Jones Hall, Perbacco serves authentic Italian inspired by owner Vittorio Preteroti’s upbringing in Capri. White linens drape over every table, while the walls are painted in a calming shade of pale blue. Large, undressed picture windows allow natural light to flood inside.

The laid-back atmosphere complements the plates of delicious pasta and casseroles that Perbacco has to offer. The familiar menu allows patrons to experience traditional Italian dishes at their very best. Lasagna and eggplant parmigiana are popular among regular diners, as are the tortellini alla panna and the spaghetti marinara. Fresh seafood and chicken selections are another wonderful option at Perbacco, grilled and served with salad or over pasta.

The relax sophistication of Perbacco stimulates the mind and the senses, a wonderful way to enjoy the evening.

Perbacco
700 Milam Street
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 224-2422
www.perbaccohouston.com
www.yelp.com/biz/perbacco-houston

Find Classic Italian Food at Candelari’s Pizzeria in Houston

Dubbed "a man of great taste" by his friends and family, Alberto Candelari was responsible for a sausage recipe that became a family tradition—one that even outsiders can enjoy at Candelari's Pizzeria on West Holcombe. The story goes that Alberto had just returned from a hunting trip and was experimenting with creating his own sausage in the back of the family's Houston liquor store. He struck gold with what would become widely known as Candelari's Italian sausage. But Alberto's Italian sausage was just the jumping-off point for a variety of other sausage recipes that, today, serve as the cornerstone for many pizzas and other dishes at his namesake eatery. Chefs still select the highest quality meats to stuff in each sausage, mixed with natural spices and often even a dash of liqueur.

You can sample the sausage in a grinder at lunch, on an "Autentica" thin-crust Neopolitan pizza (on a white or five-grain crust), or over linguini marinara. But Candelari's also creates dishes without sausage, such as veggie pizza, beef tenderloin (cooked over an open flame), and cedar-plank-roasted salmon. Enjoy any of the dishes with a bottle of Italian wine.

Candelari's Pizzeria
2617 W. Holcombe Boulevard
Houston, TX 77030
(713) 662-2825
www.candelaris.com
www.yelp.com/biz/candelaris-pizzeria-houston-2

Follow the Cask to Taps House of Beer in Houston

It'd be almost impossible to miss Taps House of Beer. In lieu of a front door, there sits a huge cask with an entryway carved out. Walk right through into Taps' open, industrial-style space. Much like the brew house's exterior, the interior is a little off-beat. Wooden picnic tables are scattered throughout the bar, complementing a framework of exposed wooden beams and walls of brick. A shuffleboard table, arcade games, and foosball reside inside, whereas cornhole, bocce ball, and ladder golf are outside. Needless to say, this isn't your typical late-night bar.

That fact comes into clearer focus with a glance at the bar's list of beers, which showcases more than 90 different suds on tap and many by the bottle. From classic Corona or Blue Moon to Strongbow, Bombshell Blonde, and Flying Dog Tire Bite, the brews land all over a spectrum that spans "Light and Easy" to "Amber, Pale, or Pils." Although beer clearly plays the starring role at Taps, a modest food menu offers a handful of shared plates such as Jack Daniels pulled pork sliders and pizzas.

Taps House of Beer
5120 Washington Avenue
Houston, TX 77007
(713) 426-1105
www.tapshouseofbeer.com

www.yelp.com/biz/taps-house-of-beer-houston

Bite a Biscuit, Go For a Growler at BRC Gastropub

Eaters experience bacon a little differently at BRC Gastropub. For example, eatery's signature cheddar biscuits come slathered in bacon jam, instead of crowned with crispy strips. You can order one for yourself or an entire box of them to-go—along with a growler of beer. Because in addition to creating reimagined versions of comfort food, BRC's staff also pours rare craft beers, more than 28 at a time (plus 25 bottled varieties).

Both local microbrews and nationally applauded craft suds come from the taps at BRC. The drafts rotate all the time, but you'll often find everything from a Sierra Nevada IPA to Karbach Weisse Versa Wheat, brewed right in Houston. BRC also keeps some brews in the cellar, debuting them in limited batches. You can always expect a new trending brew to accompany your cheddar biscuits, which you can order with fried chicken. Or pair your pint with a pub burger, vegan falafel burger, or starter like fried Gulf oysters.

BRC Gastropub
519 Shepherd Drive
Houston, TX 77007
(713) 861-2233
www.brcgastropub.com/index.php
www.yelp.com/biz/brc-gastropub-houston

Make Brasil Your New Go-To Dining Destination in Houston

If you're looking for a restaurant to make your new go-to spot, check out Brasil in Montrose. Brasil is a nice spot to work on a project or grab a bite for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The three owners used their very different backgrounds to create a place the whole community can enjoy, whether it be local food, craft beers, or scrumptious desserts.

For breakfast, choose from bagels, pancakes with fresh toppings like fruits and roasted nuts, or breakfast tacos loaded with eggs, bacon, and savory sauces. For lunch and dinner, start off with an appetizer like the brie with almond and fruit or the falafel flatbread with hummus, tomatoes, and tzatziki. For your main entree, choose from expertly made sandwiches, burgers, or order a pizza to share with the table. Pizzas come with a variety of cheese, meats like all-beef sausage and bacon, and savory spices.

Brasil
2604 Dunlavy Street
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 528-1993
http://cafe-brasil.net/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/brasil-houston

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