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Bite a Biscuit, Go For a Growler at BRC Gastropub

May 13, 2014 by

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

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Sip a Texas Beer, Dig Into a Shrimp Po’Boy at Beaver’s

April 15, 2014 by

Beaver’s in Houston is located in a building that was once a traditional Texas icehouse, where communities would go to pick up ice and converse with neighbors over a beer. Working off of that history, Beaver’s is still a great place to meet with friends for a brew and now a meal created with ingredients found from the third coast.

Enjoy seafood dishes like the crawfish and crab cakes or a shrimp po-boy fried in cornmeal batter and topped with slaw and tartar sauce. Other crowd favorites include the nut burger made with brown rice, cashews, and walnuts; the beef brisket served with Texas toast; and the variety of macaroni and cheese dishes.

Beaver’s boasts a plentiful selection of Texas beers on draft, along with some creative cocktails and even delicious non-alcoholic “mock-tails” for those abstaining. Beaver's is open until 10 p.m. on Sundays through Thursdays and midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

Beaver's
2310 Decatur Street
Houston, TX 77007
(713) 864-2328
http://beavershouston.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/beavers-houston

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Italian Sausage Is a Family Tradition at Candelari’s Pizzeria

April 8, 2014 by

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

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Enjoy Eggplant Parm and People-Watching at Empire Cafe

March 18, 2014 by

Located on busy Westheimer Road is Empire Cafe, a romantic little spot to grab your morning coffee or brunch with a couple of your best friends. The decor is distinctly European, while the friendly, laid-back service leaves you feeling right at home.

Pick from coffee served with a variety of syrups (or perhaps a splash of Bailey's Irish Cream and Kahlua), or select from teas like blackberry sage and cinnamon plum. The breakfast menu boasts a number of delicious egg dishes, while lunch offers eggplant parmigiana, goat cheese and mushroom ravioli, and a delicious variety of pizzas big enough to share with a friend or take home for later.

The patio at Empire Cafe is a must when the weather is nice and makes a great spot for people watching. Empire Cafe is open Sundays through Thursdays, 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays, 7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Empire Cafe
1732 Westheimer Road
Houston, TX 77098
(713) 528-5282
http://empirecafe.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/empire-cafe-houston

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Underbelly: Fine Dining in Houston

February 18, 2014 by

With soaring ceilings, handcrafted walnut tables and an open kitchen that lets you watch the chefs work their magic, Underbelly might just be the perfect spot for a unique dining experience. The frequently changing menu takes advantage of what’s seasonal and fresh from local purveyors. Stop by for lunch to feast on Grilled Shrimp Salad with buttermilk dressing, Butter Biscuits & Chicken Gravy, or a Roast Beef Sandwich with Korean red chile mayo. The dinner menu features a tasty array of entrees like Seared Snapper with tomato confit, Korean Braised Goat with dumplings, Wagyu Satay with cold soba salad and Crispy Local Vegetables with caramelized fish sauce. Save room for dessert, as diners praise the Fried Strawberry Pie with toasted rice ice cream. Underbelly is open Mondays through Saturdays.

Underbelly
1100 Westheimer Road
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 528-9800
http://www.yelp.com/biz/underbelly-houston

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Enjoy a Romantic Fireside Dinner With a View at Backstreet Cafe

February 11, 2014 by

Set in a historic building dating to the 1930s, Backstreet Cafe in Montrose is the ideal place to toast a special occasion. Complete with working fireplaces, rooms overlook the restaurant's idyllic backyard, where guests are welcome to dine surrounded by camphor trees and arbors swelling with vines and shrubs.

Artfully-presented menu item include crab cakes, shrimp and grits, coffee crusted steak, and lamb chops smothered with sauce. Backstreet Cafe also boasts a comprehensive vegetarian menu that features mushroom taquitos with tomatillo salsa, jalapeno fettuccine with black beans and spiced with cilantro, and a cauliflower and root vegetable patty coated with saffron. 

Backstreet has private rooms and is a fabulous place to host your next event, be it for a birthday party, wedding rehearsal, or business lunch. It's suggested that guests make reservations to ensure they can be taken care of in a timely manner.

Backstreet Cafe
1103 South Shepherd Drive
Houston, TX 77019
(713) 521-2239
http://www.backstreetcafe.net/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/backstreet-caf%C3%A9-houston-2

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The Pass: Visit the Chef’s Table

January 21, 2014 by

The Pass seeks to create an experience where patrons feel they’re dining at the chef’s own table. Expertly attentive service, impeccable food and a casually elegant atmosphere have earned them kudos from happy diners. Pass through the secret entrance and prepare to be wowed by a chef’s tasting menu with 5 to 8 courses, with or without wine or cocktail pairings. You can call ahead or go online to find out the changing menu, or be surprised by the marathon of delectable delights presented to you. Courses might include Ham & Eggs, which is egg custard served in a can of caviar, layered with capers, salt, spices, & black caviar. By all accounts it’s a little bit of heaven in your mouth. Dinner is by reservation only.

Not far from Marquis Lofts on Sabine, it's open Tuesday through Saturday.

The Pass
807 Taft Street
Houston, TX 77019
(713) 628-9020
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-pass-houston

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Sip Expertly-Crafted Libations at Anvil Bar and Refuge

January 14, 2014 by

Anvil Bar and Refuge in Montrose is a popular cocktail bar housed in an old tire shop from the 1950s. Everything about Anvil screams vintage, from the exposed brick walls and ductwork to the antique drinkware and stylish reclaimed wood lamps.

The cocktail menu changes frequently, but always features bitters made in house, crafty infusions, and a special emphasis on local ingredients. Crowd favorites include the Long Point Sour (gin with key lime, cardamom, and kaffir leaf) and the Grass Roots (amaro, rum, coconut, raspberry, lime, almond, and grass jelly).

The menu is divvied up by what flavor you're looking for, but don't be overwhelmed if you're not sure what you want. The staff is highly trained and has no qualms explaining the drink selection or even selecting a cocktail on your behalf. Anvil Bar and Refuge is a great choice for a night out trying something new.

Anvil Bar and Refuge
1424 Westheimer Road
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 523-1622
http://www.anvilhouston.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/anvil-bar-and-refuge-houston

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Provisions: Stock Up in Houston

December 17, 2013 by

Provisions has won over diners with their fresh, flavorful menu, an open kitchen dining area and spacious terrace. Get your party started with a refreshing cocktail like the Highland with green chartreuse, tequila, sugar cane & lime. Add on a Bread & Cheese Plate or a wood-fired pizza with mozzarella, basil & tomato. Some yummy pasta dishes adorn the menu, as do meat entrees like Hanger Steak with spring onions, Suckling Pig Porchetta for Two and Ham’O’Day with mustard rye. Fish entrees include Curried Mussels with cauliflower, Shrimp Salad with celery-apple remoulade, and Big Eye Tuna with fennel. Save a spot in your tummy for a tantalizing dessert like Neapolitan Chocolate Mousse Cake.

Minutes from Marquis Lofts on Sabine, Provisions is open Monday through Saturday for lunch and dinner.

Provisions
807 Taft Street
Houston, TX 77019
(713) 628-9020
http://www.yelp.com/biz/provisions-houston

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Oxheart: A Houston Dining Experience

December 10, 2013 by

If you're lucky enough to secure a reservation at Oxheart you will not be disappointed. The small dining room only has 30 seats. This Houston restaurant is so popular that reservations are taken weeks in advance. Oxheart is not quite a vegetarian restaurant, as there are a few meat and seafood options, but the menu comprises primarily delicious vegetable dishes like warm Sunflower Seed Soup and Heirloom Carrots cooked with exotic spices, coconut, avocado, and corianders. The menu changes frequently but is always full of flavorful options. Order the chef's tasting menu for a taste of everything. You will not be disappointed with seven courses of careful created dishes. Everything is made with care to create a delicate mix of flavors. You can even see the chefs cooking in the open kitchen that is the center of the restaurant. The service is wonderful, taking the time to explain each dish that is brought out to you. Make sure you sample the desserts created by the talented pastry chef. 

Oxheart
1302 Nance Street
Houston, TX 77002
(832) 830-8592
http://www.yelp.com/biz/oxheart-houston

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