Café Rabelais: Dine at an Authentic French Brasserie

Café Rabelais evokes the charming ambiance of a classic French cafe, and when you sit down at this popular Houston eatery, you just might fancy yourself at a Parisian brasserie. The tables are small and packed close together around the L-shaped bar, and the menu lists classic French dishes.

Try starting your meal with the iconic escargots appetizer, rich with garlic butter. Pate and seared foie gras also provide an authentic start to your meal. The steak frites is a hearty and satisfying choice, and regulars say the tender duck confit pairs excellently with the chef's strawberry balsamic reduction. End your meal in true French style by ordering a cheese plate after your entrée, since your palate will be primed to compare a wedge of buttery brie, pungent gorgonzola, and tangy fresh chevre. Whatever you order, you can be sure that you'll get friendly service, no matter how traditionally French your tastes.

Café Rabelais
2442 Times Boulevard
Houston, TX 77005
(713) 520-8841
www.caferabelais.com/indexOUT.html
www.yelp.com/biz/caf%C3%A9-rabelais-houston-2

Cafe Piquet: Cuban Cuisine

Café Piquet serves up a splendid selection of authentic Cuban fare in a rustic indoor-outdoor setting. The expansive menu gives you plenty to choose from, including sandwiches, soups, salad and appetizers. You can get your meal started with a refreshing libation and an appetizer like Croquetas de Jamon – ham croquettes, Calamares Fritos – fried calamari, Tostones – fried green plantains, or Papas Rellenas – stuffed potatoes.

The classic Cuban sandwich, the Cubano, with Swiss cheese, ham, pork & mustard on a French roll, is always a great choice. Entrees include Pernil – oven roasted pork with garlic sauce, Ropa Vieja – shredded beef cooked in tomato wine sauce, Camarones Enchilados – shrimp Creole, and Pollo ala Plancha – grilled chicken breast.

Cafe Piquet is open every day in a spot not too far away from M5250.

Café Piquet
5757 Bissonnet Street
Bellaire, TX 77401
(713) 664-1031
www.cafepiquet.net
www.yelp.com/biz/cafe-piquet-bellaire

Harvest Organic Grille: Fresh Food in Houston

Harvest Organic Grille offers diners a delicious menu of healthy, fresh, sustainable fare. They accommodate a variety of dietary styles with 36 gluten-free, 25 vegetarian, and 27 dairy-free dishes. Meat, chicken and seafood dishes are all sustainably raised and free of hormones and other additives. A nice selection of freshly squeezed juice drinks are also on the menu.

Pasta and sandwiches are offered, along with pizza and burgers. Entrees on Harvest's menu include Wild Caught Pacific Red Snapper, Chicken Parmesan, Harvest Skewers with your choice of chicken, beef, shrimp or swordfish, Jalapeno Salmon, and a Grass Fed Steak of the Day. Sides include Wild Rice, Broccolini, Sauteed Swiss Chard, Baked Potato, Green Beans, and Pineapple Quinoa. Beer, wine and cocktails are served.

Just a short drive from M5250, Harvest Organic Grille is open daily.

Harvest Organic Grille
1810 Fountain View Drive
Houston, TX 77057
(713) 243-0900
www.harvestgrille.com/
www.yelp.com/biz/harvest-organic-grille-houston-3

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

Caracol: Refined Cuisine in Houston

An elegant indoor and outdoor ambiance, expert service and a distinctive menu of upscale Mexican fare with an emphasis on seafood, have earned Caracol a loyal following. You can pair your meal with one of their refreshing cocktails, like a Seasonal Fruit Mojito with rum, muddled fresh fruit, lime, mint, sugar syrup & soda. A favorite cocktail, the Paloma with tequila, lime & grapefruit soda is also a popular choice. Add on a starter like Empanadas de Saragalla – spicy hashed fish turnovers with cilantro cream, Aguachile – lime-cured Gulf shrimp with cucumber & serrano chile, or Ceviche de Caracol with conch, pineapple, ginger, red jalapeño.

The entrée menu features Huachinango Zarandeado – butterflied snapper, wood-grilled in a basket, Birria Mascota – bone-in short rib with roasted tomato salsa & cocoa nib, and Camarones al Diabla – sautéed shrimp in spicy morita pepper sauce & white rice.

Located in Houston, Texas, Caracol is open every day.

Caracol
2200 Post Oak Boulevard
Houston, TX 77056
(713) 622-9996
www.caracol.net
www.yelp.com/biz/caracol-houston

French Riviera Bakery and Café: Tasty Treats in Houston

In business since 1977, this quaint, family-run bakery features some tasty eats in a small, low-key setting. Stop by for breakfast to fuel up for the day with one of their freshly prepared espresso drinks and a pastry. Their yummy croissant selection includes Plain, Almond, Almond & Chocolate, Almond & Cream, Apple, Apricot, Ham & Cheese, Sausage, and Swiss Cheese. Danish, Brioche and Quiche are also on the menu.

Some tasty soups and salads are available at lunch time, as are sandwiches like Ham & Cheese, Chicken Salad, Grilled Chicken, Turkey Breast, Mortadella, Roast Beef, and Salami. You can also take home something sweet from the pastry case, like a Napoleon, Cream Puff, Éclair, or Fruit Tart.

French Riviera Bakery and Cafe is open Monday through Saturday in Houston, Texas.

French Riviera Bakery and Cafe
3100 Chimney Rock Road
Houston, TX 77056
(713) 783-3264
www.urbanspoon.com/r/8/112235/restaurant/The-Galleria/French-Riviera-Bakery-Cafe-Houston
www.yelp.com/biz/french-riviera-bakery-and-cafe-houston

The Oceanaire Seafood Room

The Oceanaire Seafood Room offers diners a sleek, sophisticated ambiance, attentive service, and a varied menu of super-fresh seafood flown in from around the world. You can start your meal with a glass of wine from their expansive selection, or their signature cocktail, the The Oceanaire, with vodka, blue curacao, & white cranberry juice.

The oyster bar lets you choose from an impressive selection of uber-fresh oysters from Canada and the U.S. Other starters include Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail, Spicy Ahi Tuna Tower, Jumbo Lump Crab Cake, and Steamed Mussels Marinaire.

The entrée menu features Black & Blue Wild Costa Rican Mahi Mahi, Whole Carolina Flounder ala Florentine, Massachusetts Jumbo Scallops, and Herbed Organic Canadian Salmon Filet. Steaks, lobster and crab are also served.

Visit The Oceanaire's website to learn more!

The Oceanaire Seafood Room
5061 Westheimer Road
Houston, TX 77056
(832) 487-8862
www.theoceanaire.com/Home.aspx
www.yelp.com/biz/the-oceanaire-seafood-room-houston

Jersey Mike’s: A Delightful Sandwich Shop

Craving a sandwich? Head to Jersey Mike’s where they’ll layer the meat, cheese & veggies onto a fluffy roll and sprinkle it with oil, vinegar & spices right in front of you. That means you’re getting a fresh sandwich that has been prepared just for you!

Jersey Mike's friendly counter service ensures you get your meal fast, which is great during the busy lunch hour. Sandwich options include the Jersey Shore’s Favorite with provolone, ham & cappacuolo, the Famous Roast Beef & Provolone, and the Club Supreme with roast beef, turkey, swiss cheese, bacon & tomato. If you’re counting calories, you can order the Sub Tub and get your sandwich ingredients on a bed of lettuce instead of bread. A tasty kid’s menu gives the little ones some nice options, too!

Jersey Mike's
5393-B Westheimer Street
Houston, TX 77056
Galleria/Uptown
(713) 960-9992
www.jerseymikes.com/
www.yelp.com/biz/jersey-mikes-subs-houston-2

Bubba’s Texas Burger Shack: Unique Houston Burgers

Bubba’s Texas Burger Shack prides itself on its Buffalo Burger. What’s so great about buffalo? For one thing, it’s leaner than beef, which means it’s lower in cholesterol and calories. It’s also higher in protein, is grass fed, and is free of hormones, antibiotics and other additives.

You can have either buffalo or beef in your burger, your choice, they’re both well-regarded by regular diners. They come with the usual add-ons, including cheese, bacon, chili, mushrooms, and salsa. Veggie Burgers, Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, Hot Dogs, and a BLT are also on the menu. Sides include Baked Potato, Garden Salad, Buffalo Chili, Frito Pie, Jalapeno Potato Salad and Chips. You can also stop by from 2 until 7 on weekdays for Happy Hour specials. Visit Bubba's website to learn more about this Houston burger spot!

Bubba's Texas Burger Shack
5350 Westheimer Road
Houston, TX 77056
(713) 783-7270
www.bubbastexasburgershack.com
www.yelp.com/biz/bubbas-texas-burger-shack-houston

Masraff’s: Elegant Houston Dining

A sleek, modern setting and an elegant menu of dining options are offered at Masraff’s. The expansive wine list offers a huge number of varietals by the glass and bottle to complement your meal.

Starters include sumptuous taste bud primers like Ahi Tuna Tartare with tobiko vinaigrette, Wild Mushroom Ravioli in truffled lemon sage broth, and Chilled Colossal Crab with horseradish aioli. The entrée menu features New Zealand Venison with aged balsamic blackberry glaze, Roasted Peking Duck Breast with sherry gastrique, and Coffee Rubbed Filet Mignon with bacon veal reduction, among other choices. Warm Double Chocolate Fondant with vanilla bean ice cream is just one of the tantalizing dessert offerings.

Masraff's is open Monday through Saturday.

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

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