Have Crepes at Melange Creperie

Owners Sean Carroll and Tish Ochoa fell in love with the classic creperies that line the streets of Paris, and after spending their honeymoon in the City of Light, the couple decided to open up their own creperie back home in Houston. Their open-air crepe cart, Melange Creperie, debuted in 2010 and is still going strong today, serving up Parisian style crepes with your choice of either two or three ingredients.

Try a classic Nutella and banana combination, or bite into a fresh strawberry and chantilly cream combination. If you prefer savory flavors, try the classic ham, egg, and cheese, or go for one of the daily lunch specials, which can include everything from zucchini and chili to seasoned potatoes. Regulars say you should know that this cart gets busy, and that at peak times you should be prepared to wait for your order (paying with exact change can speed things up a bit). You'll have lots of company while you wait, however, as you chat with the crowd that generally gathers around this popular cart.

Melange Creperie
403 Westheimer Road
Houston, TX 77006
(832) 724-9464
melangecreperie.wordpress.com
www.yelp.com/biz/melange-creperie-houston

Delight Your Taste Buds at Aladdin Mediterranean Cuisine

"If you're coming to Aladdin's bring your appetite," says one Yelp reviewer. And he's not alone: Aladdin Mediterranean Cuisine is known as one of Houston's go-to spots for hearty, filling, and healthy meals. The garlicky hummus is made in-house and brightened with a quick squeeze of lemon, while the deep, smoky flavor of the roasted baba ghanoush provides a pleasing contrast to the hummus. Get an order of each accompanied by some warm, fresh pita bread for dipping.

Main dishes include spiced lamb gyros with grilled peppers, feta, and tzatziki as well as the restaurant's famous grilled kabobs in sirloin, chicken, lamb, and veggie varieties. Mix and match with one of the kabob combination platters, which also include dips and sides of your choice. This place is BYOB, so be sure to grab a bottle of your favorite wine to pair with your dinner.

Aladdin Mediterranean Cuisine
912 Westheimer Road
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 942-2321
www.aladdinshouston.com
www.yelp.com/biz/aladdin-mediterranean-cuisine-houston

Find Mediterranean Fare at Niko Niko’s Greek and American Cafe

Some say Niko Niko's Greek and American Cafe may just be one of the best places to enjoy Mediterranean fare in Houston, Texas. It offers a varied menu of tasty comfort food, along with some distinctive dishes.

Visit and you can start off with a classic hummus appetizer, or go for pork kebobs seasoned with oregano and lemon. Regulars keep coming back for the lamb and beef gyros and other sandwiches served with homemade tzatziki sauce. If you're not so keen on lamb, try one of Niko Niko's juicy burgers, covered with feta cheese, bell peppers, and mushrooms. Other dishes of note include the Greek meatballs, vegetarian lasagna with three cheeses, and the baby lamb shank.

Niko Niko's Greek and American Cafe
2520 Montrose Boulevard
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 528-4976
www.nikonikos.com
www.yelp.com/biz/niko-nikos-greek-and-american-cafe-houston

Table 7 Bistro: Satisfying Comfort Food in Houston

Relaxing vibes and a desirable menu of regional comfort foods can be found at Table 7 Bistro on Fannin Street in downtown. A branch of the District 7 restaurants, this eatery offers patrons quick and friendly service for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Bar and table seating is available in the bright and colorful dining area, while the street-facing patio is open during more enjoyable weather.

The menus offer a balanced mix of American fare favorites that incorporate several cuisines. For instance, the naan flatbread pizza is topped with wild boar or pesto chicken, while burgers include an Akaushi Texas Kobe Beef option. The crab cakes are wildly popular among regulars, a great choice to pair with any meal. Breakfasts at Table 7 are substantial, offering breakfast pizzas, omelets, and the always popular Belgian waffles.

The fast service doesn’t mean you need to rush out; Table 7 is an easy place to linger when the meal is done.

Table 7 Bistro
720 Fannin Street
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 227-4800
www.district7grill.com
www.yelp.com/biz/table-7-grill-houston

Perbacco: Authentic Italian Fare in the Heart of Downtown Houston

Located across the street from Jones Hall, Perbacco serves authentic Italian food in a delightful, upscale ambiance. 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 pasta and casseroles that Perbacco has to offer. The familiar menu allows patrons to experience traditional dishes in a pleasant ambiance. 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 pleasant option at Perbacco, grilled and served with salad or over pasta.

Visit Perbacco's website to find out more about this Houston restaurant near Marquis Lofts on Sabine.

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

Taste Why Pretzel Buns and Homemade Chips Make Local Foods Stand Apart From the Rest

Local Foods is Houston’s modern take on the sandwich shop, complete with concept lighting and local beers. Customers order food at the counter and seat themselves to await their order.

Menu items feature produce and meats sourced locally when possible, from the olive oil to the cheese to the eggs. Here, you can anticipate a variety of options to please everyone, including sandwich options like the duck with cranberries and brie, a traditional Vietnamese banh mi with tofu, and roast beef with cheddar and curried cauliflower. Regulars are a big fan of the pretzel bun that comes with select menu items, and the homemade chips and vegan chili make savory sides.

To wash down your locally based meal, choose from Texas beers, like Rahr & Sons and Southern Star, or enjoy a Mexican Coke or the hibiscus-pear kombucha.

Local Foods
2424 Dunstan Road
Houston, TX 77005
(713) 521-7800
http://www.houstonlocalfoods.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/local-foods-houston

Enjoy Breakfast, Lunch, or Dinner at Baby Barnaby’s Cafe

Baby Barnaby's Cafe is a popular spot for breakfast and more in Houston. The space is intimate, warm, and decorated with posters. During peak hours there can be a bit of wait and parking is a bit scarce, so be prepared if you have plans after your meal. Luckily, customers can enjoy coffee while they wait for seats.

The menu has a large variety to choose from, so don't worry about pleasing picky eaters. Popular among morning diners is the healthy breakfast plate which features egg whites, wheat toast, fruit, and apple sausage and the fruity pancakes that rotate depending on the season. (Make a point to try out the potatoes, which are brown and crispy on the outside while staying tender and soft inside!)

For lunch and dinner, choose from entrees like baby back ribs with apples, chicken tostadas with corn salsa, a range of meat and vegetarian burgers, and deli sandwiches. It's a wide ranging selection with something for just about everyone.

Baby Barnaby's Cafe
602 Fairview Street
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 522-4229
http://www.barnabyscafe.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/baby-barnabys-caf%C3%A9-houston-2

The League of Extraordinary Brewers: Unique Brews and Delicious Eats

Craft beer enthusiasts will find their dreams have come true once they step into The League of Extraordinary Brewers. A true celebration of small breweries from Texas and beyond, this gastropub also serves beer brewed right on the premises. Local beers include Nitro Lone Pint and Brazos Valley alongside Texas labels such as 512 and Rogness. The selection changes to include new and seasonal taps, a reason to stop back frequently to see what’s offered.

A fresh pint of your favorite style of beer goes great with the small plate selection on the menu, including cheese plates and the favorite beer cheese pretzel. More substantial fare includes hand-stretched pizzas topped with Meyer’s Elgin Sausage, a regional craft meat. Settle in beside other beer connoisseurs in this cozy yet comfortable brewery accented by exposed brick and wall length windows.

The League of Extraordinary Brewers
907 Franklin Street
Houston, TX 77002
(281) 406-0652
leaguebrewpub.com
www.yelp.com/biz/the-league-of-extraordinary-brewers-houston

Bite Into a Tasty Taco at Torchy’s Tacos

Torchy's Tacos originated in Austin, but the tales of these tacos have traveled across the state to Houston, where the franchise has debuted several locations. What started off as a somewhat far-fetched dream of chef Michael Rypka ended up becoming a wildly successful business.

Taco selections include the shrimp with coleslaw, jalapenos, and queso: the beef barbacoa with avocado, and cilantro; and fried mushroom with refried black beans, corn, and carrots. The meat is tender and juicy, the vegetables are fresh and well-seasoned, and there are plenty of vegetarian options.

Be sure to try Torchy's breakfasts, which feature crisp potatoes, scrambled eggs, tomatillo sauce, and expertly cooked bacon. Torchy's is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. during the week and opens at 8 a.m. on the weekends.

Torchy's Tacos
2411 South Shepherd Drive
Houston, TX 77019
(713) 595-8226
http://www.torchystacos.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/torchys-tacos-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

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